B I R E N
Though the 19th edition of the Common Wealth Games (CWG) has become an instant hit world over – right from the colorful opening ceremony - , cricket, the religion of India, has emerged as the real CWG (Commonly Watched Game).
Compare the packed cricket stadium in Bangaluru the other day with the sparsely crowded CWG stadiums here. What is the reason for this striking contrast? A visit to the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – the flag-ship of the CWG- yesterday was quite revealing with almost empty stands. The thin crowd and lack of thunderous applause from it could dampen the spirit of the games. One may be taken aback when the dim scenario is compared with the boisterous crowd –nearly 60000- which turned out to cheer and witness the opening ceremony on October 3.
In these days of terrorist threat the security is naturally very strict. One has to pass through a number of gates guarded by various shades of security personnel. The security ring is covered by chain of metal detectors. Nobody can blame the authorities for this. But not even a water bottle was allowed inside the stadiums. No way to quench the thirst while cheering for the favorite athletes…, complained many spectators. This forced many to go back, it is learnt. The price of water and snacks available inside the stadium was very high. Two young men were seen going around to sell their tickets as they were prevented from carrying their belongings inside the stadium. They said they were quite disappointed as their long cherished dream of watching the CWG games was dashed against the ground.
The Organizing Committee had claimed that tickets for all events had been sold out. But there were gross mismanagement in the sale of tickets. This too added to the low turn out of spectators or make it a ‘ no CWG’ in the real sense.
Although cricket is ruling the roost, CWG has captured the imagination of the sporting India, of late. But the on going mess in the sale of tickets and certain procedural wrangles took the steam out of it!. The country is slowly becoming sports-centric, one could easily feel while visiting the stadiums and interacting with the crowd.
The young India is finding interest in track and field and ring events. Observers feel that the sports authorities should seize the opportunity to make sporting a way of life in India.
It was opined that unless the country nurture and support sports and games, India would lag far behind countries like Australia, America, China, Canada and England who always top in the medal tally. There are tiny little countries with far lesser population excelling in the arena of sports and games, it was pointed out. Why a nation of 1.2 billion people can win a gold medal in track and field events in an Olympics, it was asked by many.
The organizing committee would have done a wonderful job if it had brought down the ticket cost and adequately streamlined the ticket sales, it was felt. It was further felt that sportspersons should be given due respect and financial support in order to ensure the growth of Indian sports and games. The games infrastructure should be properly used and the same should be extended to the States, observers feel.
Though the 19th edition of the Common Wealth Games (CWG) has become an instant hit world over – right from the colorful opening ceremony - , cricket, the religion of India, has emerged as the real CWG (Commonly Watched Game).
Compare the packed cricket stadium in Bangaluru the other day with the sparsely crowded CWG stadiums here. What is the reason for this striking contrast? A visit to the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – the flag-ship of the CWG- yesterday was quite revealing with almost empty stands. The thin crowd and lack of thunderous applause from it could dampen the spirit of the games. One may be taken aback when the dim scenario is compared with the boisterous crowd –nearly 60000- which turned out to cheer and witness the opening ceremony on October 3.In these days of terrorist threat the security is naturally very strict. One has to pass through a number of gates guarded by various shades of security personnel. The security ring is covered by chain of metal detectors. Nobody can blame the authorities for this. But not even a water bottle was allowed inside the stadiums. No way to quench the thirst while cheering for the favorite athletes…, complained many spectators. This forced many to go back, it is learnt. The price of water and snacks available inside the stadium was very high. Two young men were seen going around to sell their tickets as they were prevented from carrying their belongings inside the stadium. They said they were quite disappointed as their long cherished dream of watching the CWG games was dashed against the ground.
The Organizing Committee had claimed that tickets for all events had been sold out. But there were gross mismanagement in the sale of tickets. This too added to the low turn out of spectators or make it a ‘ no CWG’ in the real sense.
Although cricket is ruling the roost, CWG has captured the imagination of the sporting India, of late. But the on going mess in the sale of tickets and certain procedural wrangles took the steam out of it!. The country is slowly becoming sports-centric, one could easily feel while visiting the stadiums and interacting with the crowd.
The young India is finding interest in track and field and ring events. Observers feel that the sports authorities should seize the opportunity to make sporting a way of life in India.
It was opined that unless the country nurture and support sports and games, India would lag far behind countries like Australia, America, China, Canada and England who always top in the medal tally. There are tiny little countries with far lesser population excelling in the arena of sports and games, it was pointed out. Why a nation of 1.2 billion people can win a gold medal in track and field events in an Olympics, it was asked by many.
The organizing committee would have done a wonderful job if it had brought down the ticket cost and adequately streamlined the ticket sales, it was felt. It was further felt that sportspersons should be given due respect and financial support in order to ensure the growth of Indian sports and games. The games infrastructure should be properly used and the same should be extended to the States, observers feel.
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