For a richer haul olympic medals come when massive amounts of cash meet absolutely professional talent spotting

For a richer haul olympic medals come when massive amounts of cash meet absolutely professional talent spotting

We have done well but we must do much better. Tokyo has seen India score its biggest ever medal haul of 7 but rank only 48 in the overall tally. In 2008 we asked why it had taken so long for the first individual gold to come yet celebrated grandly, not knowing the wait for the next one would be 13 years long. Such a drought must not be repeated. We must triple our gold tally in Paris and take it to 10 in Los Angeles. These are realistic goals. Though shooting disappointed in Tokyo its base has been cemented over the past decade; now fill in the gaps. Embrace more ambitious visions in wrestling and boxing too.

Countries like the UK and China have achieved a striking upswing in Olympic fortunes with massive injections of cash. By one expert estimate GoI spends 3 paise per day per capita on sports as compared to China’s Rs 6.10, almost 200 times more. Still, money alone cannot cut it. Detailed planning, efficient scouting, investing in disciplines with the best medal prospects, thoroughly professionalising sports management, these are the true brahmastras.

The PPP model has scored wins in Tokyo but there is room for improvement. Alongside international exposure, pro leagues in men’s and women’s hockey plus a vibrant tournament circuit in individual sports, will make the difference between being on the podium or not. Corporate sponsors must really step up here, to help build a healthier ecosystem where audiences engage with a variety of sports and more jobs open up for sportspersons.

Expanding India’s talent lab is governments’ job. Our Olympians’ background stories make it clear how meagre resources remain at the grassroots level, how lackadaisical the sport administrations are. Realising our ambitions at the 2024 and 2028 Olympics means the work of identifying the next Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, PV Sindhu, Manpreet Singh … must gather pace right away.

Finally, have the Tokyo Olympics been worth it? Every human being who has been uplifted by the grit, grace and excellence displayed by the world’s athletes amid a global pandemic, would say an emphatic yes.