tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post2313972642452913654..comments2024-03-09T02:39:40.253-08:00Comments on Hallucinations!: The state of Indian BadmintonShruthihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635222842257175541noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-82777070914219317922007-09-15T09:57:00.000-07:002007-09-15T09:57:00.000-07:00A lot has to change in Indian Culture as well. Kid...A lot has to change in Indian Culture as well. Kids are forced to do too much mindless homework in the pressure to excel in academics. Unless sports as a part of life is ingrained in the minds of every parent, it is hard to change anything in India.Recently, an India tennis star went to Australia and commented that middle aged Australian women overtook him in a marathon.<BR/>How many kids do we see doing marathons( in the heavy traffic?). Bottomline, on a scale of 10, the infrastructure needs to improve from the current 0 to atleast 5 or above.<BR/>A small country like Singapore has more than fifty Indoor badminton facilities , some of them even air conditioned. I have seen one in my medium cized city with an asbestos roof and no water or toilets.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-68525148984933102212007-09-14T05:58:00.000-07:002007-09-14T05:58:00.000-07:00India will never be a sports nation unless billion...India will never be a sports nation unless billions are spent on infrastructure;a country like Ivory coast is ranked>20 in FIFA soccer rankings. Indian infrastructure is crumbling, the average Indian diet is not meant to be consumed by an athlete.<BR/>In Other countries including China, sports nutrition is an important area. The typical Indian eats a lot of grains and little meat and vegetables. You see the typical Indian as flabby and non-muscular - you would not find so many flabby East Asian or European athletes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-49901244973020314922007-06-29T10:10:00.000-07:002007-06-29T10:10:00.000-07:00me too totally shattered iam also a badmint...me too totally shattered <BR/> iam also a badminton player ranked in my state doing my school, these things make me come to a conclution that<BR/>INDIA IS NOT A PLACE FOR SPORTSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-31181818496746771342007-06-20T22:10:00.000-07:002007-06-20T22:10:00.000-07:00I have heard all sorts of bad things surrounding t...I have heard all sorts of bad things surrounding the politcs in badminton india. It is a shame, because India really has some great, and very talented players. I met a handful of them at the Denmark Open this past fall. I hope things get settled so the team can prosper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-78695619999236225352007-05-25T00:41:00.000-07:002007-05-25T00:41:00.000-07:00I have been following indian badminton and seen th...I have been following indian badminton and seen them in various tournaments when they play in the far east.<BR/>I have also heard the Indian BA plan.<BR/>I think that the players are merely happy to be in the rankings and play the olympics. They have no chance of reaching the quarters also of the olympics.<BR/>The performance of these players at the europeans was very bad.<BR/>they lost to france,Austria,austalia and some of them lost their matches in 18 min(was head lines here Chong Wei beat indian champion in 18 min)<BR/>They need to train hard like these players in malaysia,china,indonesia<BR/>and when they start to play the world level play abroad.<BR/>Disgraceful to see teams which come and lose with no fight also.<BR/>The Indian BA plan that the players need to train before they play international events i think will be better for the palyers in the long run.Except for Prakash and Gopi now anup and Saina most of the indian team needs to improve a lot to beat the top players.<BR/>The girls doubles is bad and players are basic.They have not won more than 2 rounds in their tournaments(except sattelites)<BR/>The indian Players get to a level and then we do not see the drive.<BR/>We had Rexy drop the All england champions for lack of discipline and I think the players are acting rather rebellious despite being given chances to be part of the team.srinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15853323430620507851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-67437071518043240212007-05-21T04:00:00.000-07:002007-05-21T04:00:00.000-07:00Shark:"The sports ministry might not "fund" cricke...<B>Shark:</B><BR/><BR/><I>"The sports ministry might not "fund" cricket in India, BUT then it's focus is cricket."</I><BR/><BR/>I don't get the connection between "funding" and "focus". <BR/><BR/>I will juxtapose two sentences from your comment, please help me understand as I think they are mutually contradictory: <BR/><BR/><I>"Though most of the decisions are made by BCCI, the ministry still holds the rights of administration."</I> <BR/><BR/>and<BR/><BR/><I>"the sports ministry has asked for a report from BCCI, asking them to furnish all the details about fund management etc."</I><BR/><BR/>More importantly, I don't want to get into this cricket versus other sports in India. It is only going to spoil the spirit of this post. So, let me leave it with that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-44714016478060349572007-05-21T02:26:00.000-07:002007-05-21T02:26:00.000-07:00Adi:The sports ministry might not "fund" cricket i...<B>Adi:</B><BR/><BR/>The sports ministry might not "fund" cricket in India, BUT then it's focus is cricket.<BR/>Though most of the decisions are made by BCCI, the ministry still holds the rights of administration.<BR/><BR/>There is an "idirect" hand.<BR/><BR/>Citing an example. <BR/>My Aunt works in a nationalized bank. A person applied for a clerks post under sports category. He was a state level athlete. BUT his application never got processed. He then finally went and played some state level cricket matches and produced the certificate, he got the job within 6 months!<BR/><BR/>After all this dismissal performace in world cup, the sports ministry has asked for a report from BCCI, asking them to furnish all the details about fund management etc. Does the same ministry even care if we do or not do well in any other sport?<BR/><BR/>and you are 100% right on your words when you said this:<BR/><BR/><I>In the same way we can say, "If we have politicians heading the sport, you will only get politicians out of the sport not sportsmen!" </I><BR/><BR/>Couldn't agree with you more!<BR/><BR/><BR/><B>Silkboards</B> comment/solution is perfect! :)Sharkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08988390811396242179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-72115355355423605622007-05-20T06:46:00.000-07:002007-05-20T06:46:00.000-07:00Shruthi, 19th May, Saturday, The Hindu. http://www...Shruthi, <BR/><BR/>19th May, Saturday, The Hindu. <BR/>http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/19/stories/2007051908902200.htm<BR/><BR/><I>"<B>Sit down and sort out the problems</B><BR/><BR/>Bangalore: Prakash Padukone believes that the simmering discontent in India's badminton circles can be sorted out. Padukone, who had maintained a studied silence over the issue, finally spoke his mind on Friday.<BR/><BR/>"I don't see it as being such a major problem and I am sure a solution will be found. When there is a problem people should address it rather than sit on their prestige. I am sure if the Badminton Association of India (BAI) and the players sit down and discuss the issue, it will be sorted out. Unfortunately right now, both parties are talking to each other through the press. There is a communication error," Padukone told reporters on the sidelines of a press conference organised by the Karnataka Badminton Association here on Friday.<BR/><BR/>Axing of top players<BR/><BR/>Padukone was referring to the controversy that trailed the two-month long National camp in progress at Hyderabad and the non-attendance of which led to the axing of some top-notch players from the National team, including Chetan Anand, Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien, who have been vocal about their protests.<BR/><BR/>The players stressed that attending the camp would prevent them from participating in the Super Series events in Singapore and Indonesia, which would help them garner crucial points in an Olympics-qualification year besides gaining a slice of the prize money. The trio missed the events, with BAI refusing to allow them to play even at their own cost.<BR/><BR/>The badminton legend said: "Let us not get into who was right and who was wrong. Forget Singapore and Indonesia, its over. Let them talk and arrive at a solution. I have my own ideas on this issue. Point number one is that let the BAI revert to the original team that they had informally finalised in March. I mean the team that also included Anup Sridhar, Chetan Anand, Diju, Jwala Gutta and Shruti.<BR/><BR/>There is still time for the Sudirman Cup (June 10 to 17). Let there be a two-week camp and if these players don't turn up, then drop them. By this we at least have the option of fielding the country's best team."<BR/><BR/>"Point number two is that let the BAI give an assurance that it won't stop players from going on their own to compete in Open tournaments. In fact the money that is being saved by this could be spent on some promising young player. I mean if a player is willing to foot his/her own bill for his tours abroad, why stop him/her?"<BR/><BR/>Shorter-duration camps<BR/><BR/>"Another important point is to have shorter-duration camps. Say a two-week or a three-week camp and let the time-frame be decided early so that it doesn't clash with key tournaments," Padukone said.<BR/><BR/>"The best thing is to have a longer six-week endurance camp before the season begins so that the players can build on that through the year. And finally once you announce a camp for a tournament where India's official team is set to participate, ensure that the players attend the camp or else drop them but don't curtail their participation in Open tournaments."<BR/><BR/>"At the end of the day, the association wants the players to do well and the players too want to do well, so I don't see a big problem. It just needs to be sorted out. You have to strike a balance, you cannot have camps all the time and you cannot play tournaments all the time," Padukone added."</I><BR/><BR/><B>Shark:</B><BR/>Can you tell me what the 'Sports Ministry' has done for cricket? <BR/><BR/><B>Kishor:</B><BR/>Bingo! Imran Khan once said, "If you have honorary secretaries and honorary presidents for your sports boards then you will only get honorary players!". <BR/><BR/>In the same way we can say, "If we have politicians heading the sport, you will only get politicians out of the sport not sportsmen!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-13017780423391543912007-05-20T05:14:00.000-07:002007-05-20T05:14:00.000-07:00Same story, different setting! This is what will h...Same story, different setting!<BR/> <BR/>This is what will happen if politicians and babus head our sporting associations.Al Nims Mediahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10970805021887839221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-28959300166727654342007-05-19T10:15:00.000-07:002007-05-19T10:15:00.000-07:00well, this is the way organisations for the promot...well, this is the way organisations for the promotions of sports work in India. sportspersons are their last priority. i am into tennis and the case of the all india tennis association is no different. it's controlled by a father-son duo and their yes-men in the various state associations. civil society should wake up and act to end this sports bureaucratism.Shaji.khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17902760063291322534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-43060545740400393002007-05-18T06:37:00.000-07:002007-05-18T06:37:00.000-07:00Humbug I say....!! Talent is not at all considered...Humbug I say....!! Talent is not at all considered!! Baah!Chitrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01660142339863334706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-33612113236779136832007-05-18T02:27:00.000-07:002007-05-18T02:27:00.000-07:00Disclaimer upfront. I am a passionate sports guy m...Disclaimer upfront. I am a passionate sports guy myself and want our players to do well. Nikhil's story is sad indeed, and your post is moving. <BR/><BR/>However, just want to share an observation I have.<BR/><BR/>Posts and articles like these sort of expect two things. 1) That government should help and encourage (= fund and finance) 2) That government shouldn't interfere (= officials or politicos, keep off)<BR/><BR/>Expecting both is part of the problem. Sports can't get public funding till it rises in government's list of priorities. Someday. And if you expect someone to fund you, hard to expect no interference from that person or entity.<BR/><BR/>To me, public funding at 'higher' levels itself is the biggest source of the mess. Or else, how do you explain politicians running sports for decades without results (V K Malhotra, Suresh Kalmadi types). Why do you think good players change colors the moment they become officials? Why do you think many good players opt not to join the sports bodies and instead try grow the sport from outside?<BR/><BR/>Funding, if at all, should be at the school and university level, because that is where sport-persons are 'born'. But at higher levels, professional setups must sustain things. That is how see quality improvements at large scale in our country.<BR/><BR/>Ooops, grew into a v long comment. Thanks for reading.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-91272840193450946512007-05-18T01:32:00.000-07:002007-05-18T01:32:00.000-07:00I am deeply moved by this post!!!High time the spo...I am deeply moved by this post!!!<BR/>High time the sports ministry does something beyond "cricket"!!!<BR/><BR/>I am not even finding words to say anything more. In one sport we give all the importance in the world and then they give us such dismissal performce back...<BR/>and there are sports like these where people are doing fantastically well without being even noticed.<BR/><BR/>What is the media doing? leave alone government!!!!Sharkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08988390811396242179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-88101011692289800902007-05-17T22:30:00.000-07:002007-05-17T22:30:00.000-07:00And one thought that with players like Gopi Chand ...And one thought that with players like Gopi Chand becoming coaches, things should become easier! Very sad.Mridulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07899575209261241247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-43645095222566858012007-05-17T07:08:00.000-07:002007-05-17T07:08:00.000-07:00Its such a shame. And we have ad campaigns saying ...Its such a shame. And we have ad campaigns saying "India Shining" .. Its time we did something about it. How do we stop this rot? <BR/>Where do we start? How can we help our athletes ? Any ideas ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-34631486015489556962007-05-17T03:49:00.000-07:002007-05-17T03:49:00.000-07:00Agree with Suresh. We're such a bunch of jokers as...Agree with Suresh. We're such a bunch of jokers as far as any sports is concerned, including cricket. I remember seeing a TV report where female athletes (if I remember right) were made to stay three or four to a room, and rise early to collect water, whilst officials lounged in 5-star hotels. The sportspersons ought to sue, really. It's criminal, the way they are treated. <BR/><BR/>[Stopping before I turn this comment into a rant! :)]<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.thoughtraker.com" REL="nofollow">ano</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-29362721213382513422007-05-16T23:06:00.000-07:002007-05-16T23:06:00.000-07:00Unbelievable, Badminton is one of the sports where...Unbelievable, Badminton is one of the sports where we are doing well. I would not be surprised if it goes Hockey way. Kudos to bureaucrats and new found enthu of Gopichand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-29981903503988606342007-05-16T03:13:00.000-07:002007-05-16T03:13:00.000-07:00Frustrating & disgusting! It very disappointing to...Frustrating & disgusting! <BR/>It very disappointing to learn that a player such as P Gopichand has not been able to enhance player morale especially when Indian badminton is flooded with some of the best talent in recent year.<BR/>Wonder when sports associations would be totally unhinged from immature,self-serving,shoddy,insensitive administrators ?<BR/><BR/>Thanks for bringing up this topic, Shruthi.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-18396966266284276822007-05-16T01:11:00.000-07:002007-05-16T01:11:00.000-07:00This sucks !!!!Players are always held hostage by ...This sucks !!!!<BR/><BR/>Players are always held hostage by the associations (this is common in ALL sport)...<BR/><BR/>I saw some interviews with these players a couple of weeks ago.. their concerns seem to be real.. its a pity that the association couldnt care less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-51105728552129389652007-05-15T23:53:00.000-07:002007-05-15T23:53:00.000-07:00It is a sorry state of affairs in the indian sport...It is a sorry state of affairs in the indian sports arena. It is true people like nikhil will have to fight and spend and they are lucky becasue they are affordable. see the plight of others who are deserving but can not afford they are out.<BR/>I have also heard from close an International level kabbadi player denied entry because he could not meet their demand ( yes it is vitamin M) they put some false charges of drugs on him and excluded that made that guy to become alchoholic and got ruined his entire career in his most favoured sport.<BR/>It is high time some good senses should prevail and true achievers and talents are supported.<BR/>with so much of corrupt set up and corrupt officials it looks the scene is very bleak for Indian Sportsman.<BR/>some NGO's should find a solution with the help of some genuine sports organisations in respective sports.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-27023496582414358832007-05-15T17:02:00.000-07:002007-05-15T17:02:00.000-07:00We need accountability and democracy... nothing el...We need accountability and democracy... nothing else will solve the problem. This is really saddeningSudipta Chatterjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11179666209066615252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-4029621968003353872007-05-15T09:08:00.000-07:002007-05-15T09:08:00.000-07:00Another heart breaking story!!!Whole structure bad...Another heart breaking story!!!<BR/><BR/>Whole structure badly requires a major revamp, BAI, IHF (Indian Hockey Federation), Indian Football Association (IFA) etc etc(list is endless) are rotting!!!Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053118951693455094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-17168547088115040492007-05-15T04:17:00.000-07:002007-05-15T04:17:00.000-07:00To begin with I might have asked what is it that t...To begin with I might have asked what is it that the players benefit from being a part of the national side, or even an association such as BAI. But I know better.<BR/><BR/>This post is such a sad read - the helplessness of the players is so palpable. I think it is only fair for all sport- team and indivdual to move to the F1/ EPL/ UEFA model.The reason why I say this is because it is only then that the inefficiens which plague all our national (and am sure state) level sports bodies will get eliminated.The Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11439320371087568504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-59275082103655820712007-05-15T03:04:00.000-07:002007-05-15T03:04:00.000-07:00Hi,I'm the chap whose news report (from Sunday Exp...Hi,<BR/>I'm the chap whose news report (from Sunday Express) you quoted. Thanks,<BR/>Your post showed up on Google Alert, which is how I found it. That it got five responses is great.<BR/>As I mentioned, the real problem is that all our sports associations are undemocratic. They function as a sort of quasi-goverment body, completely immune to any accountability or questioning. <BR/>One of the ways to counter them is through the internet. We should never underestimate the potential of public opinion in this.Badminton Maniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01776017553013984655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11795715.post-77775231838367308792007-05-15T01:24:00.000-07:002007-05-15T01:24:00.000-07:00Read the report the other day in Hindu. But there ...Read the report the other day in Hindu. But there never was a word about the Super Series and the effect the camp would have on players rankings and the Olympic qualifications. <BR/>Am with Srik here.. Where the hell is the media? They would have written pages together if it were Cricket.. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing all the info Shruthi. <BR/>Its really frustrating to read this. <BR/>Kudos to Nikhil and other sporstmen who still pursue their sport so diligently.Naveenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211884328337396527noreply@blogger.com