Page 32 of last week’s Asian Voice makes depressing reading. The “Medal Standings” table places India right at the bottom of the list with just one silver (P. V.Sindhu) and one bronze (Sakshi Malik) medals won at the Rio Olympics. In a country where women are treated with contempt as weak and feeble, it is these two women who saved India from utter annihilation. A country with the second largest population in the world could not produce even a few people to go back home with gold around their necks!
What could be the reason behind this poor show by a country which was once the champion in hockey and top of the table in cricket? It must be due to India’s lack of investment and encouragement in sports. But then India must have its priorities - either to feed the millions who go to bed at night on empty stomach or to squander scanty resources in “running after a ball”. In passing it must be said that not a single Gujarati name appears in the list of participants. But then the Gujaratis must be busy making money for their country.
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
