India doesn’t do well at any Olympics,
and it’s not because of the lack of infrastructure!
The Crazy Part? India has won just 40 olympic medals in the last 124 years, while China won 71 in the past 14 days!
THREAD: the real reason why India will always fail at the olympics🧵
and it’s not because of the lack of infrastructure!
The Crazy Part? India has won just 40 olympic medals in the last 124 years, while China won 71 in the past 14 days!
THREAD: the real reason why India will always fail at the olympics🧵
Whenever the topic of sports comes up, we start pointing fingers.
We blame:
— The athletes who are genuinely trying their best.
— The authorities for their inadequate efforts to help these athletes grow and reach their potential.
We blame:
— The athletes who are genuinely trying their best.
— The authorities for their inadequate efforts to help these athletes grow and reach their potential.
— Society for discouraging children from pursuing a career in sports.
But in reality, the problem lies with us—the viewers.
You might think this is because we focus solely on one sport, like cricket, but that’s not entirely true either.
But in reality, the problem lies with us—the viewers.
You might think this is because we focus solely on one sport, like cricket, but that’s not entirely true either.
We don’t love cricket as a sport; we love the drama that comes with it.
Take a closer look—many people watch only India's batting and skip the bowling.
They enjoy the sport from one perspective, not the other.
That’s not the mark of a true sporting nation.
Take a closer look—many people watch only India's batting and skip the bowling.
They enjoy the sport from one perspective, not the other.
That’s not the mark of a true sporting nation.
Want another example of this?
Remember the 2011 World Cup final?
How many runs did MS Dhoni score?
Or Gautam Gambhir? Who actually won us the match?
It’s always Mahi vs Gauti in the debate, right?
But do you remember Zaheer Khan’s bowling spell in that match?
Remember the 2011 World Cup final?
How many runs did MS Dhoni score?
Or Gautam Gambhir? Who actually won us the match?
It’s always Mahi vs Gauti in the debate, right?
But do you remember Zaheer Khan’s bowling spell in that match?
He took 2 for 60 with 3 maidens in a World Cup Final, setting us up for a massive win!
Ashwin articulated this phenomenon perfectly here:
Ashwin articulated this phenomenon perfectly here:
We need to understand that, fundamentally, sport is show business, and there are only three ways a sport grows in a country:
— A significant event occurs that has a major impact, like the 1983 Cricket World Cup win.
— A significant event occurs that has a major impact, like the 1983 Cricket World Cup win.
— A player emerges who changes the landscape of the sport, like Neeraj Chopra.
— An increase in viewership drives the sport's growth.
Anything with more hype and attention will inevitably attract more business.
It's not that people don't watch the ISL,
— An increase in viewership drives the sport's growth.
Anything with more hype and attention will inevitably attract more business.
It's not that people don't watch the ISL,
or that the corporate world isn't willing to help;
it's that people aren't watching in the necessary numbers.
Now, if you look at the US, the standard of football (or soccer) there is also quite low compared to the high-quality football played in Europe,
it's that people aren't watching in the necessary numbers.
Now, if you look at the US, the standard of football (or soccer) there is also quite low compared to the high-quality football played in Europe,
yet Major League Soccer is doing really well.
Take a look at the top sporting leagues in the world in terms of per match cost:
Take a look at the top sporting leagues in the world in terms of per match cost:
It’s not just that one sport, like American Football, is doing well in the US;
even Baseball and Ice Hockey have strong viewership and do great business.
This indicates a diversified viewership, which is a sign of a well-rounded sporting culture.
even Baseball and Ice Hockey have strong viewership and do great business.
This indicates a diversified viewership, which is a sign of a well-rounded sporting culture.
Such diversified viewership is a significant factor in the USA’s consistent success at the Olympics every year.
In the video, Raj also asked Chhetri about the Pro Kabaddi League.
It started off well in India, but now its popularity seems to have waned,
In the video, Raj also asked Chhetri about the Pro Kabaddi League.
It started off well in India, but now its popularity seems to have waned,
even though India boasts some of the best Kabaddi players.
The reason for this may be the largely local interest in the sport.
Indians love competing and excelling on the world stage.
In the US, sports like Basketball, American Football, and Baseball are also highly localized,
The reason for this may be the largely local interest in the sport.
Indians love competing and excelling on the world stage.
In the US, sports like Basketball, American Football, and Baseball are also highly localized,
yet the NBA, NFL, and MLB are among the top leagues globally with immense viewership.
This is because the US is an extremely localized society.
They aren’t aspiring to emulate others; they see themselves as being at the top already.
This is because the US is an extremely localized society.
They aren’t aspiring to emulate others; they see themselves as being at the top already.
What they do is something others look up to, but they remain focused on their own local interests.
India, on the other hand, is an aspiring country.
We often seek social proof from major Western nations to validate our actions & don’t find pride in our local achievements.
India, on the other hand, is an aspiring country.
We often seek social proof from major Western nations to validate our actions & don’t find pride in our local achievements.
Professionalism in a sport’s management and facilities comes when the sport is deemed important.
Indian Cricket was struggling in 1983, but winning that World Cup elevated the sport’s importance.
When there’s attention, there’s media coverage, which brings checks and balances.
Indian Cricket was struggling in 1983, but winning that World Cup elevated the sport’s importance.
When there’s attention, there’s media coverage, which brings checks and balances.
Athletes are stakeholders in the overall sport.
If the sport thrives financially, athletes benefit, and infrastructure improves.
And all of that begins with us.
If the sport thrives financially, athletes benefit, and infrastructure improves.
And all of that begins with us.
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