The Hindu : Sport : India should take a leaf out of China’s book

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Thursday, Oct 16, 2008
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India should take a leaf out of China’s book

S. Thyagarajan

Chennai: Asserting that the first ever individual gold and two bronze medals at the Beijing Olympics signalled the “beginning of a new era in Indian sport,” K. Murugan, Chef de Mission for the Games, has put forward a few suggestions to sustain the interest generated in the wake of the medal-winning performances.

In his report to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Mr. Murugan is optimistic that with greater focus on improving the infrastructure and coaching facilities, India can win more medals in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and the next Asian Games.

Report discussed

The Chef de mission’s report was discussed at the IOA meeting on the eve of the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune.

While commending every aspect that contributed to the successful conduct of the Games by China, Mr. Murugan concedes that India should take a leaf out of the planning and execution as demonstrated by the Chinese for programming the development of infrastructure and other facilities for hosting the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

In fact, an official delegation was in Beijing to study in detail the facilities that were on offer.

Reporting on the Games Village, Mr. Murugan says that “all the arrangements were fantastic and the entire system deserves our highest appreciation and worth emulating by future organisers.”

Train in advance

Mr. Murugan suggests that “the athletes should commence their training and preparation programmes at least eight years in advance, and it should be on a continuous basis.

“The results can be expected only if we sustain our preparation. This continuity should be maintained irrespective of the performance of athletes, provided the athletes maintain their physical fitness till the target is reached.”

He has also pleaded for the creation of a separate sports wing and avoiding multiplicity of channels which always complicate the clearance procedures for participation in international competitions.

Importantly, Mr. Murugan believes that extra care must be taken by the departments concerned over the maintenance of the infrastructure designed at a huge cost in different parts of the country.

Better facilities needed

Also, he urges the IOA to ensure better facilities are provided for sportspersons during the national camps.

He is convinced — after visiting several camps prior to the Olympic Games — that the campers need to be provided better accommodation, improved quality of food and the right ambience, for training at the state-of-the-art venues.

Apart from mentioning that “the quality of uniforms should be improved and be prepared well in time,” and “consideration should be given to the march-past ceremonial dress taking into account the weather conditions prevailing during that period,” Mr. Murugan has not delved deeply into the controversy generated by the dress code during the opening ceremony. Mr. Murugan has also suggested that henceforth at least two members of the IOA should reach the venue two days in advance to ensure everything is in place for the arrival of the contingent for a mega event like the Olympics and Asian Games. Messrs K. Murugan, Secretary, Volleyball Federation of India and N. Ramachandran, Secretary-General, Squash Rackets Federation of India, were elected as Vice-Presidents of the Indian Olympic Association in the meeting at Pune.

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