Sports Authority Of India English news | Sports Authority Of India, Latest News & Live Updates in English | English News (Latest English News) at Lokmattimes.com

New Delhi, Aug 14 Sports in India is badly administered. This no-nonsense statement from a medal-winning Olympian might raise eyebrows in the Sports Authority of India, or in the many federations that govern sports, for they are busy celebrating the country's historic Olympic medal haul.But the questions Vijender Singh asks is going to haunt them. Why has a nation of 1.32 billion people been able to manage just one gold, two silver and four bronze medals after sending a record number of athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? Why did it take 75 years after India got freedom for the country to reach this ‘record' mark? What needs to be done?"A lot," according to the 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medal-winning pugilist who does not believe in pulling back his punches.The numbers, he said, will go higher if only "we change our approach". As he put it in a no-holds-barred conversation with : "Sports has improved no doubt but there is a lot of work to be done. 'Soch badloge' to sports 'badloge' (if you change your approach, you'll be able to change the way we perform in sports). There was a time when athletes used to think that participating in Olympics is enough, but that perception is changing. Athletes believe that not only participating, winning a medal is more important."Vijender then went on to shower praise on gold medal-winning javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra, adding that his is the approach our athletes should have. "I liked his attitude towards the sport," Vijender said. "He was so confident and calm. That is exactly the approach which is needed. Our athletes have that potential, but they need to focus."The professional boxer slammed the central government for slashing down Khelo India budget."Funding is important," Vijender said."The government slashed the Khelo India budget before the Olympics. This was something strange. There is a need for physios, psychologists, medical teams, dietic, masseurs and others."Someone will say that everything is there, but the ground reality is so different. Only the cream gets these benefits, but not at the state or district level. Athletes are still struggling for the basic needs there. Our athletes were, are and will always be good, but how real are the facilities on offer? This must be probed," he added."On the one hand you talk about sports promotions and on the other you cut the Khelo India budget. What is this? Khelo India is a good platform for athletes, but it needs to be run properly," the Olympian said.Vijender also came out in support of the struggling wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who got suspended from the Wrestling Federation of India. "WFI says Vinesh wore a Nike jersey. We must understand that Nike was her sponsor and that is the only place where we athletes get a chance to display our sponsors."Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympics … other than that we do not have any place to display our brands. If we won't display the brand, then the sponsors will go. If brands don't come, how will you promote sports?" Vijender added.He signed off by asking a telling question: "What if Vinesh had won a medal? Would the WFI have suspended her?"Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Sports Authority Of IndiaFOLLOW

Sports authority of india, Latest News

New Delhi, Aug 15 Speaking from the historic ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, Prime Minister ... ...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day Speech on Sunday applauded the Indian contingent at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and said the country was proud of them for bringing glory to the nation and that their feat has inspired the future gener ...

The Indian Army hoisted the national flag, along with local residents at Naushera sector of Rajouri on Sunday on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day of the country. ...

Thirty-two Olympic winners, including javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, India's first-ever Gold Medallist in track and field, PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu along with two officials of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) are attending the 75th Independence Da ...

Shortly before addressing the nation on its 75th Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived at Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. ...

Thirty-two Olympic winners, including javelin thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, India's first-ever Gold Medallist in track and field, along with two officials of Sports Authority of India (SAI) have been invited to participate in the 75th Independence D ...

New Delhi, Aug 14 President Ram Nath Kovind hosted a high tea for the Indian contingent that competed ... ...

New Delhi, Aug 14 Sports in India is badly administered. This no-nonsense statement from a medal-winning Olympian might ... ...