Opinion Get your game phase on
Stop declaring the Commonwealth Games dead before they begin. Give them a chance to succeed and to usher in a new era....
A wise person once said that self-pity and self-destructive ego are a sure-shot recipe for disaster. As Indians,we should neither eulogise nor crow over the failure of a landmark event that,amazingly,is still more than two months away. Neither passion nor a total lack of understanding with respect to the difficulty that the nerve centre must face in organising this event on a daily basis with innumerable countervailing forces pulling the logistics and planning in opposite directions makes for a healthy attitude. Remember: the Commonwealth Games 2010 are set to alter and enhance the lives of Indian athletes,and fast-track the business of sports post-October 14.
Hypocrisy is well worth avoiding here. The facts wont change whether or not the detractors continue to pour scorn on the CWG: corruption,bribery,scandal,no-shows,question marks over capability and preparation,security concerns and the like are part and parcel of hosting any event of this magnitude. Salt Lake City,Atlanta,Munich,Seoul,Los Angeles,South Africa,all have had some hiccups along the way. Expectations for the CWG also need to be tempered by clearly stating that these are not the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup,or even the Euro,in terms of viewership,tourism,quality of competition indeed,in terms of every parameter possible. The CWG are meant to be the first step in what will hopefully one day be a successful Olympics bid.
This isnt such a leap: Rio de Janeiro is set to host the two biggest and most prestigious global sports events in the world,in 2014 and 2016. And while one hopes for the successful showcasing of one the worlds most unique and scenic cities,if Indians are true to themselves,they would shy away from comparing the CWG to the likes of London,Beijing and Sydney,to name a few host cities; they should instead hold their peace until vultures start circling the Pao de Acucar and Corcovado a year from now. After all,its Brazil and India that are similar; both are taking giant steps to cover their gaps,to become economic superpowers.
The CWG are the third largest multi-discipline sports event,with over 70 nations participating,and in excess of 5,000 athletes competing. Fast forward to 2014,and in all likelihood India (and the NCR in particular) will have five world-class facilities,legacies as they are known globally; a public transport system that will metamorphose the entire region,similar in implication to the Gautrain project that now connects Pretoria to Johannesburg; and global events to complement the star sportspersons that India churns out.
Forget the allegations,forget the cynicism,forget the complete and wanton disregard for the people who have put heart and soul into the CWG,trying to make India a force to be reckoned with. Forget for a minute the rumours we hear of vices untold,and of how the CWG will never take place,and will be a national disaster. This isnt about a single person.
Nor is it about a corrupt system. Nor should it be about a holier-than-thou mentality that glosses over how this has become a matter of national pride. That would violate the self-pride that India possesses.
There is a reason why,in the past and for other host cities,the skeletons surrounding such events have been buried permanently. We,as a country,need to accept that the CWG belong to India,not to any single sports federation,governmental authority,tycoon,or corporate house. When the sun sets on what one hopes is a stellar showcasing of the greatest city in the world,rest assured,the country and sports in general will be the better for it. It would be prudent too for our statesmen to accept that the CWG will take place,and will set the stage for the dawn of a brand new era in Indian sport. Then,with champions and with world-class facilities and infrastructure,India will be poised to be the next sports superpower globally. This is about more than mere acceptance: its about embracing what the CWG mean to us as Indians,and closing ranks to provide a united front to the rest of the world as India and Delhi in particular become the centre of the sports world.
For once,lets focus on what could be,and not on what is,and what has been. Destiny awaits once the furore abates; just give the CWG a chance to prove everyone wrong. The CWG dont need flashes on the track and rackets on the court with an international flavour to make this event a success. We have enough talent to usher in an era in which the Mary Koms,the Sushil Kumars,the Abhinav Bindras and the Saina Nehwals showcase their ability,talent and single-minded focus as they shed the shackles of a colonial hangover. The real brand ambassadors and role models that India needed,and is fortunate now to have representing us.
The writer is a Delhi-based sports attorney
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