Mr. Baskaran is astonished by two 15-year-old swimmers – Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte and America’s Katie Ledecky – winning gold medals in the London Olympics
As a two-time Olympian, hockey legend V. Baskaran terms the feeling of being at the Olympics as “great.” And, winning a medal at the Olympics - “unbelievable.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed being at the Olympics (Montreal, 1976 and Moscow, 1980) and the stay at the Olympics villages. It was simply out of the world,” said Mr. Baskaran, who led the Indian hockey team to gold in Moscow. Mr. Baskaran, who was here on Saturday to grace the 78th annual sports meet of Campion Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, commended the Indian medal winners at the ongoing London Olympics.
Mr. Baskaran, though, is “disappointed” with the performance of the Indian hockey team. “The boys are certainly capable of doing much better.”
The former Indian hockey team coach considers U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps’ achievement of becoming the most decorated sportsperson in Olympics history as “monumental.”
Mr. Baskaran is also astonished by two 15-year-old swimmers – Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte and America’s Katie Ledecky – winning gold medals in the London Olympics. “The two girls came up with stunning performances,” said the Padma Shri awardee.
He said parents played a crucial role in encouraging young aspiring sportspersons. “What I am today is because of my parents,” he added. Later in the day, Mr. Baskaran and A.M. Raman, former secretary to the State government and advisor, Saraswathi Educational and Health Trust, gave away prizes to the winners of the annual sports meet of the school in the presence of Rev.Bro.Arul, principal; Rev.Bro.John Edward, vice-principal; and N.Annavi, former international high jumper.
G. Rhoger Gabriel (Britto house) and S. Simma Sandeep (Xavier house) were adjudged individual champions in the under-12 and 14 age categories respectively. S. Jerome Abhilash (Montfort house) and R.
Arun Balaji (Loyola house) won the individual championship in the under-17 and 19 age categories respectively. Xavier House bagged the overall championship. Loyola House was second.
It is not known how we should react to our Olympic performance. Every
4 years passby. Spending in sports and sports persons are increasing
day by day. But net result is 0. We are 100 crore people. No concrete
result is coming forth. Where do we stand? Is it our political
mistakes or else our administrators' mistakes. Everybody is
contributing their might to make total blunders. Atleast by coming 4
or 5th place in total standings would have got the deserved sympathy
towards our sportsmen. Right persons should be incharge of sports
administration. The old and undeserved (who have region/caste look)
administrators should be kicked out from the sports administration.
After seeing every 4th year performance in olympics our hearts are
burning. Parent's role is ok but major role is being played by the
STATE. No hope can be derived from our performance in the olympics.
If we could achieve something on sports arena, then only other nations
would look at us. otherwise a strict NO.
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