In an era where cricket is worshipped like a religion in our country, sports in India are lagging far behind. Gone are the days when people liked Dhyanchand, Milkha Singh et al. We remember them only during the time of Olympics. In the next four years masses are only interested in cricket.
Unlike cricketers the financial conditions of other sportsmen are not secured. There are several hockey players who brought laurels for the country but after their retirement they are living in pitiable conditions. An ex-hockey player Sylvanus Dung Dung who was a part of the gold medal winning team in Moscow Olympics was living in under acute poverty before he got financial contributions from several quarters. However several ex players in the country are not as lucky as him.
Everyday we come across stories of these ex players seeking jobs but without much success. They go door to door in government offices with the hope of getting some favour in return of the hard work they had put in for years for the nation in their respective sports yet the government turns blind eye on them.
Several players had even committed or tried to commit suicide in the recent past. The latest example is of Former Indian football captain V.P. Sathyan who committed suicide by jumping from a moving train. He left two notes in his pocket saying he was ending his life due to financial problems and for failing to do well as a player. Such is the scenario of sportsmen in our country.
Who can forget Wilson Jones who inspired many to take up Billiards as a career option? He won the National Championship 12 times and also won World Championship twice (1958 and 1964). He was also a recipient of Arjuna Award in 1962, Padma Shri in 1965, and Dronacharya Award in 1996. During his last years he was being treated in a Mumbai hospital without financial resources for his treatment. Several of his students like Subhash Aggarwal and Ashok Shandilya went on to become professional world champions.
As another Olympics is near and our players are preparing for the big event its time the sports lovers in India should encourage them. It will not only boost their confidence but also encourage our sports authorities to take some appropriate steps for the betterment of our sports.
It’s time our government should start taking care of our former players so that they don’t have to live in such pathetic conditions and provide them with adequate pensions. This will also encourage our youngersters to take up other sports a career options rather than cricket.
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