Pass the ball around
The Indian hockey team is understandably miffed at the (predictable) outpouring of largesse for the Indian cricket team. I have no qualms with Commerce, with one unwavering eye at the return-on-investment column, showering its gifts on any product that it sees as being investment-worthy - their money, their choice. However, criticism is completely valid when it is a question of maharaja-like patronage being showered by politicians dipping from the state coffers. It is a commercial act for them - to be associated with events that enjoy the greatest eyeballs, and gain something from their "benevolence" by being in the same frame. I suppose other sportsmen could do with a hoarse shout or two too.It is a sad state of affairs all-round: what positive effects this week has on Indian cricket remains to be seen, forget Indian sport. Sure, hockey is not a patch on the marketability of cricket, even in the latter's leanest periods, hit movies notwithstanding. For a nation that still has hardly any real sporting culture, and therefore no real appreciation of sport, masala will rule.
3 comments:
well said Ramanand....Hope the day will come when Hockey will once again rule over cricket
I also believe State Governmenst had no business doling out Cash amounts, when cricketers had already earned $8 million, apart from their annual contract.
I don't understand why we should give importance to cricket (and to sports in general). There were only 10 Indians actually playing on the field. The millions of others were passive observers of the game. It does not really benefit the observers since they are not involved in any physical exercise.
Plus they are wasting mental cycles thinking about the game, which could've been better spent at work...
Sports does not solve any of our real world problems - poverty, climate change, war, corruption, inefficiencies. Imagine if those wasted man-hours and dollars are invested in these issues instead..
I think the nation should discourage broadcasting and viewing of sports and instead encourage effective forms of physical exercises for the population at large... Why is Yoga or aerobics not as glorified as cricket. It would keep far more people healthier.
Anyways... wrote too much... Sorry about such a long comment.
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