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Indian sport: Olympic high to suspension low
Wednesday December 19, 2012 08:53:56 PM,
IANS
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New Delhi: Indian sport saw both its highs and its
lows in 2012. If the best-ever medal haul from the Olympics in
London was its high point, by the year-end its reputation was in
the mud as the national Olympic committee was suspended by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) for compromising its
autonomy by kowtowing the government line.
The high spot was India's six medals at the July-August London
Olympics, even if it did not win gold as it did in Beijing four
years ago. This was made up of two silver and four bronze medals.
Shooters continued their trend of picking up medals they began at
Athens in 2004 and this time it was Vijay Kumar's silver in the
25m rapid fire pistol and the bronze of Gagan Narang in 10m air
rifle.
Wrestling also showed up, Sushil Kumar creating history by
becoming the first Indian to win back-to-back Olympic medals in
individual events by winning the silver in 66kg freestyle to add
to his Beijing bronze. His long-time friend Yogeshwar Dutt grabbed
the bronze in the 60kg.
While the men flattered to deceive in the ring, M.C. Mary Kom
punched above her weight to secure a bronze in the 51kg class as
women's boxing made its Olympic debut.
Badminton star Saina Nehwal got India's sixth medal in rather
fortuitous circumstances when her Chinese opponent Wang Xin
retired mid-way through the contest owing to a knee injury. Saina
also won two Super Series Premier titles in Indonesia and Denmark
to cap off a memorable year for the 22-year-old.
In the Paralympics, Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda won a silver
medal in the men's high jump.
The Olympic success gave hopes of India emerging as a sporting
nation sooner than later, but the athletes' effort was nullified
by the shenanigans of sports administrators.
The Indian Olympic Association was suspended by the IOC for not
abiding by the Olympic Charter under Government pressure while
conducting its election. Worse, the sports ministry de-recognised
the archery association and the boxing federation for manipulating
their election processes.
Veteran tennis player Leander Paes may not have won a second
Olympic medal in London after winning the the singles bronze at
the 1996 Atlanta Games, but the 39-year-old became the first
Indian to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Australian
Open with Czech partner Radek Stepanek. They beat the Bryan
brothers in the final.
Organisationally, India successfully hosted the second Formula One
Indian Grand Prix with the F1 fraternity praising the improved
facilities at the Jaypee Group- owned Buddh International Circuit
(BIC). Fans' attendance came down to 65,000 from the 95,000 in the
inaugural year, but it was enough to gauge that the exhilarating
sport was here to stay.
India continued to rule the kabaddi arena, winning the World Cup
for the third time, beating Pakistan in the final.
Squash player Dipika Pallikal, 21, became the first Indian to
break into the top-10 of the World's women's rankings.
On the debit side, India's hockey continues to be in a mess. It is
in a rebuilding state after another horrendous performance
returning to the Olympics for the first time in eight years. They
finished right at the bottom of the table to record a new low. But
there were signs of recovery when they finished fourth at the
Champions Trophy in Melbourne.
The other popular sport, football, is also struggling to make a
mark, at least in the region. Now the All India Football
Federation (AIFF) has started rebuilding from scratch,
concentrating at the junior levels. The results have been
encouraging.
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