The athlete-coach combine would always remain the key to sporting success, according to Prof. P. Chelladurai, former sports management expert of the Ohio State University, United States.
Presenting the keynote address at the two-day National workshop on Sports Management, organised by the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Kariyavattom, the veteran teacher also sought to debunk the theory of quality athletes emerging out of a mass base even as he pointed out that continuous hard work was what led to the emergence of sporting heroes. “That talent is the primary requisite to achieve success in the sports arena is nothing more than a myth,” he said.
Comparing the sports models of the United States and China and the huge amount of success that these two countries have achieved over the years, Prof. Chelladurai said the American model was based on the affluence of that country, the volunteer work done by sports enthusiasts and interest taken by various Universities to promote sports in a big way by identifying talent from foreign countries, offering those selected with adequate scholarship.
The Chinese model, on the other hand, was basically the result of the direct intervention of the Chinese Government.
For sports to develop in India, it was important to develop a national psyche for the various disciplines. “The continued growth of cricket is a good example in this regard.”
Sports Minister M. Vijayakumar inaugurated the workshop. Papers on different aspects of sports administration and management were presented by V.G. Govindan Nair (former president, KSSC), Babs Surjulal (Vaals University, South Africa), Soumil (IIM, Bangalore), S.K. Nair (former BCCI Secretary), Sasi Kumar (IIMK) and R. Anil Kumar (KSEB), while Prof. Thirumalaiswamy, former Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu University for Physical Education and Sports, Chennai, was the chief guest at Monday’s valedictory function.
