Quote:
Originally Posted by Theyota Hi Sk8r, you have to understand that, in Indian context "Roller Skating" Hockey is such a niche and not relevant sport. Expecting to get sponsored for such a sport is a stretch in a country like ours. I am pretty sure I would have problem putting together a team of eleven roller skating hockey players in the whole of my home district. Why would anyone sponsor such a sport when there are many other significantly more popular sports. |
Expecting to get sponsored is such a loaded term.
Nobody enters a sport with any expectations except to have fun. As you gain proficiency, you want to represent the country, win an Olympic/ World championship medal and then, turn pro/ get a good college admission. Expectations largely centre around these in mostly the same order as well.
How do you define a relevant sport in India? One in which you can hope for a medal? Or one in which you can eke out a career? Or one played by thousands? Go to any swim meet, you will find 100s of kids. State championships and Nationals have over a 1000 hopefuls. Would you call it a relevant sport?
Assuming you do, here is the sad state. Participants travel at their own expense, stay of their own accord at meets. Kits (often undersized/ ill fitting) are handed out at the venues. Certificates/ prize money announced by the state federations (if any), have to be collected months/ years later. My kiddos are still missing a few Senior Nationals certificates from 2 years back because "saab field visit par hain." Did I mention the swim suit costs upwards of 25k and can be worn only 10-12 times? Or the fact that good coaches cost a bomb?
Of late, the Khelo India is a hugely beneficial program which has cut out the federation and gives money directly to the athletes. However, the Khelo athletes are the best of the best and you cannot reach here without being in the good books of the federation. No matter that the state secretary is a political appointee with zero knowledge of swimming. FWIW, in a recent junior nationals, an event was stopped midway for the VIP's entrance and felicitation. I do not blame the Govt, they have actually brought in reforms but till we change as a society, there is no hope.
What do India's top swimmers do after they turn 18-19? Ones with loaded parents go abroad for studies. Middle and lower middle class, if they reach this level, eagerly grab one of the Class III/ Class II Govt jobs that are doled out - Railways, Police, Defence, PSUs etc wherein they are again treated as 'the outsider' and have limited career prospects. Its a sad life and no well meaning, far-thinking parent would actually take the plunge. Even if they were to, thoughts are always on the 'exit policy.'
God forbid you were to choose a niche sport, still popular, but perceived as upper class, be prepared to shell out exorbitant sums of money for mediocre coaching/ leaking facilities and be prepared to keep everyone in good humour for fear of acquiring a bad reputation, antagonising an important functionary. Team events are a strict no no because of the politics involved in team composition/ selection. It's better to take up an individual sport and shine/ perish on your own merits.
One constant is - You can forget sponsorship
at the grass root levels in any sport in any city in India. Parents have to shell out upwards of 10k upto 60k per month to indulge this fantasy. Even international medals do not get you the coveted sponsorship. ROI is an alien concept in 99% of the sports unless you are a media figure. Coming to the media, it is entirely their prerogative on whether to cover your achievement. The day one of our juniors won a coveted medal recently, the news was covering some foreign cricket team captain's squabbles with his Board. Unless you have contacts, they won't even deign to cover your achievement.
Given all that I have said, why would anyone be prepared to toil for years and years at their own expense for a very short shelf life at the very peak? I guess only the 'maddest' of them all do and that too for some silly sense of self actualisation. The prose below summarises it beautifully. Not my words, (author unknown), but extremely apt.
One of my friends asked "Why do you pay so much money for your child to play sport?
Well.... I have a confession to make; I don't pay for my child to do well in sports.
Personally, it does not matter so long as my child learns the lessons sports teach !!
So, if I am not paying for sports what am I paying for?
- I pay for those moments when my child becomes so tired he wants to quit but doesn't.
- I pay for those days when my child comes home from school and is "too tired" to go for practice but goes anyway.
- I pay for my child to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.
- I pay for my child to learn to take care of their body and life.
- I pay for my child to learn to work with others and to be good team mate, gracious in defeat and humble in success.
- I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment, when my child doesn't get that medal or title theyd hoped for, but still go back day after day giving it their best shot.
- I pay for my child to learn to set and accomplish goals.
- I pay for my child to respect, not only the self but other athletes, officials and coaches.
- I pay for my child to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of unapplauded hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.
- I pay for my child to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.
- I pay for the opportunities my child has and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am.
- I pay so that my child can be out on the glass court or in the gym instead of in front of a screen...
...I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for sports; I pay for the opportunities that sports provide my child with, to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their life and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others.
From what I have seen so far I think it is a GREAT investment! Sports teaches a Lot!