A few hours ago it was announced that Tokyo, Japan is going to be the host of 2020 Summer Olympics. It will be third time in 12 years Olympics will be held outside Europe and North America. These two continents used to predominantly host this prestigious sporting event not so long. It also tells something, the arrival of many nations on the world stage, especially in sports and economic arena. For Japan it will be 2nd time in their history. China and South Korea, the other two Asian giants have already passed the test as successful hosts. Brazil is going to host next year. Many say we missed the boat yet again. But that would be a gross understatement. We were never serious contenders. We are unfortunately far from hosting Olympics, lack of organisational ability, sporting infrastructure or otherwise. Hockey is the only Olympics sports in which once upon a time we won several medals and laurels. Indian soundly defeated Germany in 1936 Olympics hockey final to a standing ovation from an audience which included Hitler. Now Germany defeats us soundly. We are even struggling to qualify at the international stage. The ex-chief of Indian Hockey, KPS Gill was supposed to replicate his miracle as police chief in Punjab on the hockey field. Nothing of that sort happened ( we Indians are a gullible bunch and have faith in Amitabh Bachchansque or Jajnikantish miracles). We just gloat over cricket and IPL. Cricket which is arguably the religion of India and its stars are no less than Gods is played at quality level by only a handful of countried in single digit. Thankfully Germans, Russians, Americans and Chinese are not playing cricket. The first three are capable of producing fast bowlers hurling the cherry at 100+ mph(160+ kmph). The Chinese who are natural in acrobatics can produce spinner of high class and guile. We would be struggling to qualify for World Cup as our hockey team does these days. And our so fashionable IPL can well be hijacked by the European or American Leagues counterparts. A la Martin Luther King I have a dream that one day I will be watching International Olympics Committee announcing " The Host for Summer Olympics goes to...New Delhi ( or any Indian city)". At this rate it does not sound too likely to get fulfilled in my lifetime. As I am a Brahmin I am destined to die with this unfulfilled dream and haunt everybody as a BRAHMARAKHASA ( A legend in Odisa is if a Brahmin die withs unfinished desires he is cursed as roam as the burly demonic champion of ghosts aptly named BRAHMARAKHASA).
( A note to my friends in America, the Hockey I am referring here is field hockey played on ground, not the Hockey played on ice we are more familiar with in North America).
( A note to my friends in America, the Hockey I am referring here is field hockey played on ground, not the Hockey played on ice we are more familiar with in North America).
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