The challenges that the athletes had to overcome at the Paralympics in Rio were tremendous. YET, THEY WERE VERY INSPIRING.
I began as a state-level tennis player, and aspired to be a champion in my sport for a short while. But somewhere along the way, I transitioned from a failed athlete to an MBA student, and ultimately into a reasonably successful banker. Having followed my heart and answered my calling, somehow, today, I find myself as the Executive Director of an organisation that implements the visions of Indian sporting legends like Rahul Dravid, Abhinav Bindra and Pullela Gopichand. What an unbelievably privileged position to be in!
I was sick of hearing from everyone around how India would never shine at the Olympics. One of the things we speak of a lot at the foundation is “sport for all” and to that end, we have always supported able-bodied and paraathletes, recognising no distinction between the achievements of both. A year ago, we began a unique initiative in response to an increasingly evident requirement, the Para Champions Programme, to seek to address the challenges faced by para-athletes in our ecosystem.
And so, I found myself in Rio at the Paralympics — the “parallel” Olympics that takes place two weeks after the Olympics at the same venues — with 11 members of the Indian contingent contributed by our own Programme! India has had medallists at the Paralympics in the past; the exploits of the reclusive Murlikant Petkar should be the stuff of lore back home. Why they are relatively unknown is a discussion for an- other day… I was also there to understand what a long way we had to go.
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Denne historien er fra October 8, 2016-utgaven av Sportstar.
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Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
