The Telegraph I Block
Kolkata-700 001 Kolkata-700 045
7th August, 2004
Sir,
The last Olympics once again proved that our sportsmen are behind the international standards. The dismal show of our players in international meets is a regular affair. While other countries are marching ahead in sports and games, we have hardly been able to improve our standard.
(a) Lack of physical fitness and stamina.
(b) Poor and age-old training methods.
(c) Non-availability of modern field and track equipment like fiberglass poles for pole vault, runner spikes, balanced bullets, tartan tracks, poly grass, etc.
(d) Lack of proper encouragement from different quarters.
In team events like football, basketball, volleyball, etc., we are nowhere near the international standard. We have already lost in hockey in which we were world champion till the other day. What is needed is a new and scientific approach to improving our sports. We should change our style of play and start playing on polygrass or astroturf grounds to face stronger opponents. Intensive coaching under internationally experienced coaches and the adoption of scientific methods with modern equipments will go a long way in improving our standard. Last but not the least, we should catch the players young as is done in other countries.
Gour Mazumdar
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