Others

India's sporting landscape remains dominated by cricket, leaving athletes from other disciplines struggling for recognition. Despite the recent rise of sports like hockey, badminton, and athletics, non-cricketing sportspersons continue to face obscurity, with only a few exceptions.Hockey midfielder Hardik Singh recently shared a disheartening incident that highlights the current state of affairs. At an airport, he and his teammates witnessed fans flocking to social media personality Dolly Chaiwala for selfies, while failing to recognize the hockey stars."I saw it with my own eyes," said Hardik. "People were getting themselves clicked with him and did not recognize us. We started looking at each other (feeling awkward)."This incident underscores the stark contrast between the fame enjoyed by cricketers and the relative anonymity of other athletes. Despite winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals and the recent Asian Champions Trophy gold, India's hockey team continues to struggle for recognition."For an athlete, fame and money is one thing," said Hardik. "But when people are watching you and appreciating you, there is no bigger satisfaction than that."The lack of recognition for non-cricketing sportspersons has a detrimental impact on their motivation and morale. It also hinders the development of these sports in India, as young athletes may be discouraged from pursuing them due to the limited opportunities for fame and financial success.To address this issue, it is crucial to promote and celebrate the achievements of athletes from all sports. Media coverage, government support, and public awareness campaigns can play a vital role in raising the profile of non-cricketing sports and inspiring future generations of athletes.

India's Olympic Medal Quest: Challenges and SolutionsIndia's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024, with six medals, fell short of expectations. While cricket enjoys unwavering fandom, other sports face significant challenges in sustaining interest and developing talent.Lack of Publicity and SupportNon-cricket sports suffer from a lack of targeted publicity, broadcasting, investment, and awareness. Despite numerous shooting events, only a handful are televised, limiting exposure and fan engagement. This lack of support hinders the development of a pipeline of talented athletes.Targeted Funding and Elite Athlete SupportIndia's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) provides financial support to medal prospects. However, the scale of funding is limited compared to countries like Great Britain, which has invested heavily in elite athlete support and high-performance culture.Systemic IssuesSports bodies in India often face corruption, financial deficits, and governance issues. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has seen a modest income increase, but its budget remains insufficient to support grassroots development and competitive events. Federations, which receive government funding, lack the resources to nurture talent and promote the sport effectively.Solutions for Olympic SuccessTo improve India's Olympic medal haul, several measures are necessary:* Increased Funding: Allocate more resources to elite athlete support and grassroots development.* Systemic Reforms: Address corruption and governance issues in sports bodies.* Broadcasting and Publicity: Increase the visibility of non-cricket sports through television and other media channels.* Grassroots Development: Expand participation in sports at the grassroots level to identify and nurture talent.* Commercial Outlets: Create commercial opportunities for non-cricket sports to generate revenue and support development.