Commonwealth games, media and children
During these games what we need to have is positive attitude like mascot Shera that represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation's ancient heritage.
SIXTY-TWO days to go for the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010, in New Delhi and what are we talking about: Alleged money laundering by the organising committee of the games. AM Films, a London based company to which a huge sum of money was transferred, former Union Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer’s dissatisfaction over these games, controversies over new stadiums, roads, flyovers that are constructed in ad hoc manner and missing deadlines. Is this what Commonwealth Games stand for?
Didn’t we know before bidding that the country like India would face such problems while organising Commonwealth Games. Now when we have taken the responsibility of organising the games, can’t we do it gracefully? Remember how entire world was dancing to the tunes of ‘Waka Waka’ during FIFA World Cup.
If we are really thinking about children and are really concerned about them then we must show them that despite all the challenges and hurdles India can deliver the Commonwealth Games. Instead of talking about the leakage in ceiling in one portion of the Nehru Stadium, can we talk about what all we have done… Can we tell them how the grass is being brought to the stadium from Hapur which is a tremendous task and more than that can we tell them about the games featuring in Commonwealth Games.
Students especially in Delhi will have their schools closed from October 2 to 20 but can they be motivated to see those games.
Teachers can play an important role in this. This vacation should not be like any other vacation, children should be motivated to watch these games. They should be motivated to talk about them. Can we ask them what is their favourite game before vacations and ask them to track that particular game during vacations and then share their knowledge with their class mates after the vacations. Children can be engaged in many such activities. Teachers, parents and media can play a very important role in that.
During these games what we need to have is positive attitude like mascot Shera that represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation’s ancient heritage, a fierce competitor but with integrity and honesty. Shera is also a ‘large-hearted gentleman’ who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’. Shera embodies values that the nation is proud of i.e majesty, power, charisma, intelligence and grace. His athletic prowess, courage and speed on the field are legendary. He is also a reminder of the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his ecosystem. Shera is representing us, let us not cheat him at least.
Let us not waste our time and energy on controversies shrouding games. Controversies will be there at this moment. But let us focus on games and try to make it successful. Let us keep all these allegations and accusations to be discussed after the games are over. Let us motivate all to come out and play: The tagline of Commonwealth is in an invitation to every person across all divides – Indian and Commonwealth - to let go themselves and participate in the games to the best of their abilities, in the true sprit of the games. It is an exhortation to them to set new records, to outperform, and to raise the bar by scaling new peaks of achievement. It is also a call to the people of India, especially Delhi, to come out in support of the games and play the perfect hosts at the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010, Delhi.
In all the newspaper stories and TV coverage, where are the games and the sportspersons. I am sure they will be there if there are any controversies around them. Otherwise, who would ask for sportspersons, when there is so much of spicy news around?
That was the kind of ambience created by South Africa while organising the games. And what are we doing calling all the organising committee officials one by one in studio and grilling them. Whatever wrong has been done, should be handled strictly, there is no doubt about this, but is it the right time? When most of the officials should be working day and night to make these games successful, they are spending most of their time in answering all the queries posed to them.
At present if we ask children about Commonwealth Games, I am sure more than games they will be talking about all these controversies. Agreed with Mani Shankar Aiyar’s statement, “If even a tiny percentage of games’ cost would have been spent on promotion of sports in the country, India would have held its head high in many international sporting events,” but that did not happen and at this moment can we take a step back. I think nothing can be as shameful as this if we even think about it. So, what is the way out … can we use whatever situation we are in right now- positive or negative, in a positive way.
At present if we ask children about Commonwealth Games, I am sure more than games they will be talking about all these controversies. Agreed with Mani Shankar Aiyar’s statement, “If even a tiny percentage of games’ cost would have been spent on promotion of sports in the country, India would have held its head high in many international sporting events,” but that did not happen and at this moment can we take a step back. I think nothing can be as shameful as this if we even think about it. So, what is the way out … can we use whatever situation we are in right now- positive or negative, in a positive way.
If we are really thinking about children and are really concerned about them then we must show them that despite all the challenges and hurdles India can deliver the Commonwealth Games. Instead of talking about the leakage in ceiling in one portion of the Nehru Stadium, can we talk about what all we have done… Can we tell them how the grass is being brought to the stadium from Hapur which is a tremendous task and more than that can we tell them about the games featuring in Commonwealth Games.
Students especially in Delhi will have their schools closed from October 2 to 20 but can they be motivated to see those games.
Teachers can play an important role in this. This vacation should not be like any other vacation, children should be motivated to watch these games. They should be motivated to talk about them. Can we ask them what is their favourite game before vacations and ask them to track that particular game during vacations and then share their knowledge with their class mates after the vacations. Children can be engaged in many such activities. Teachers, parents and media can play a very important role in that.
During these games what we need to have is positive attitude like mascot Shera that represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation’s ancient heritage, a fierce competitor but with integrity and honesty. Shera is also a ‘large-hearted gentleman’ who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’. Shera embodies values that the nation is proud of i.e majesty, power, charisma, intelligence and grace. His athletic prowess, courage and speed on the field are legendary. He is also a reminder of the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his ecosystem. Shera is representing us, let us not cheat him at least.
Let us not waste our time and energy on controversies shrouding games. Controversies will be there at this moment. But let us focus on games and try to make it successful. Let us keep all these allegations and accusations to be discussed after the games are over. Let us motivate all to come out and play: The tagline of Commonwealth is in an invitation to every person across all divides – Indian and Commonwealth - to let go themselves and participate in the games to the best of their abilities, in the true sprit of the games. It is an exhortation to them to set new records, to outperform, and to raise the bar by scaling new peaks of achievement. It is also a call to the people of India, especially Delhi, to come out in support of the games and play the perfect hosts at the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010, Delhi.
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