What a result...!

Medals Table
Last Updated: Mon Mar 20 2006
Gold, Silver and Bronze:
Australia 42, 38, 32 : Total = 112
England 18, 21, 15: Total = 54
India 12, 8, 3: Total= 23
Scotland 8, 5, 6: Total = 19
Canada, 7,16,14: Total = 37

The table above shows for the first time (maybe I just started noticing!) India having an acclaimed total in the ranking of medals at this years Commonwealth Games.Every time the Olympics are on I’m always saddened by the contrast that the countries with the least populations have the most number of participants. I wonder if it is down to facilities or an approach to life.

Maybe it is more fundamental than that? It could be down to the fact that countries that find it difficult to survive cannot then turn to participative sports.

I’m also fed up with some racist propaganda that suggests that certain ethnic groups have selective advantages vs sports. Call me an idealist but I hold to the truth and belief that everyone has potential and can achieve, they just need a chance.

At this years Commonwealth games Indian Shooters Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang won the gold in men's 50 m rifle three positions pairs shooting event. They also won gold in the Men's 10 metres Air Rifle pairs' event. Sharpe shooter Tejaswini Sawant also won gold in the 10 meter Air Rifle women’s individual event, while Avneet Kaur Sidhu claimed silver in the same event. Continuing with shooting events, Sarmesh Jung and Jaspal Rana won gold in the Men’s 25 meter centre fire pistol event.

It was also interesting to see that residents of the Kiyamgei Mayai Leikai village in Manipur were jubilant as their home girl Renu Bala Yumnam Chanu clinched gold in the 58 kilograms weightlifting. The 20-year-old had won on Saturday but her home was unfortunately out of electricity and could not watch the games on television. Twelve hours later the villagers streamed into Renu Bala's house to congratulate her family. A tear-eyed Tampha, Renu Bala's mother, said she was proud of her daughter and said, ‘Due to power failure I could not watch the game. I feel that the gold medal that my daughter won came a little late to her. But I am very happy and proud of her. I was very restless during the last few days, worried about her performance during the game. I was so worried that I could not even watch the game.’ H. Sanajaoba, the village chief, said Bala’s achievement despite her humble background, was an inspiration for other youngsters. Bala’s family said though extremely impoverished, the young girl had for years trained on her own with stones and iron rods, till being spotted by a local athlete. ‘She got the gold and we are very proud of her. And I think her getting a medal will encourage our new generation in this sport,’ he said.

Her story represents both sadness and success. Sadness in the context that only her determination made her achieve for her country. Her success verifies the belief that ‘if you can dream it, you can do it’!Just imagine how many more sporting heros are out there. All we need is to push for their equal rights to participate.

Maybe commercial sports organizations are missing an opportunity to demonstrate a contribution. Commercial reality bites but quality will shine through.