India has not been short of glory days in sports apart from cricket, the fact is that's past. We did have so many other sportsperson to salvage pride from. In last decade or two we saw Indian hockey dying a slow death. If history repeats itself Indian hockey could not repeat it's glorious past. Football too had it's presence but is never heard off.

Boxing, archery and shooting did show some early promise with a medal to be contended with. When compared with the emerging countries not predominantly sports loving or olympic medal winners getting competitive. India unfortunately has till to go miles before we can be proud of sports heritage. Wherein, we win many medals not only at the asian or other regional level but in world and olympic level.

The question now lies as to where are we truly lagging behind. It it finacial resource and lack of interest in sportsperson. Or are we only focussing in Cricket by overpowering the true spirit of many sports which is played in every nation and yes in olympics. The plight of some of our great sports heroes of the past is utterly disgusting and unpleasant.

The true fact is people don't know how to play most other sports or what the rules of other games are. But they are well conversant with cricket. Some indian cricketers have been playing for the national side for just over six months or so, but are famous because of advertisement assignments. In fact, hockey is our national game and India has won many gold medals in the Olympics, but all we remember is Kapil Dev's team winning the cricket World Cup in 1983. Sportsman who earns laurels for their country in other sports earn next to nothing of cricket.

It's understood, the media, Board, Government and sponsors are the culprits for cricket ruling the roost, to the detriment of other sports in India. May the thinkers and planners wake up from such a long slumber and awaken the spirit of sports. The common mass with good potential and calibre in other sports should be given importance. As it's felt from past experience, whenever an Indian stands in an olympic podium with a medal it touches the hearts and minds of the entire nation. So lets awaken it before it's too late.