It is often said that due to so much importance given to cricket other sports are suffering in India.

It’s not only wrong but also wishful thinking. It is not correct to say that cricket has prospered at the expenses of other sports in India. Most Sports body in India are controlled by the Government like Hockey etc or by some individual perpetually like tennis.

Cricket in India is governed by BCCI which is not a government body. It is more or less a democratic set up with forward looking people controlling it.

Why has cricket prospered in India? Why is it so popular? Why are advertisers vying to advertise their product through cricket? To answer these questions we have to go back to 1983 – when India won the Prudential World Cup. It was the turning point for cricket in India. As the fate of other sports like Hockey started to look bleak (India won the only world cup in 1975) after total dominance in 40’s to 60’s, cricket triumph in 1983 World Cup came as a pleasant surprise. It is after this world cup triumphant Cricket started to gain popularity. If BCCI would not have capitalized on this success than te fate of cricket would also been just like some otter sports. BCCI was quick to gauge the mood of the nation and started to build the infrastructure (like new stadiums, floodlights etc) that took cricket to another level. Unlike other sports where sportsmen were paid peanuts BCCI slowly but surely paid their players adequately so much so that now Indian Players are amongst highest paid players in the World —– and Why Not? It is because of them that BCCI is earning so much and why won’t they get their share of the pie.

If other sports federation cannot operate probably cannot compete internationally ot if they cannot pay their players adequately, it is not the fault of Cricket. It is there drawback if they cannot operate professionally and make there sports popular amongst Indians. Who stops them to operate professionally, who stops them to win allocades for India – certainly not cricket. Instead of blaming cricket they should try and take a leaf out of cricket’s success. Most of the sports body is being run by the whims and fancies of their head without an iota of professionalism. Today India is as market economy, money follows success. First show the results and then one gets the money which again go a long way in sustaining the success, this is a vicious circle. Monsey in cricket has come only after the world cup triumph but it was also very important at that point of time to en-cash this success. After winning so many gold medals in Hockey why is it in such a bad taste — because due to lack of foresightedness and unprofessional attitude of there federation they could not en-cash their success. Why blame others for your impotentness.

Even if sportsman who earns laurels for their country in other sports earn next to nothing, is it because of cricket — certainly not. BCCI pays from its own resources and other sports should build their own resources too. You can’t force people to play or watch any sport. They watch or play cricket because today India has some standing in world Cricket. Due to success of cricket it has virtually become religion in India. It is aptly said that one gets what one deserves and Cricket certainly deserves all the Success.

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[Picture courtesy hinduonnet]