The nail biting finish of football; Hima Das’s gold hunt
France emerged as the champion of world football. The next four years, France will live with this title and fame. The football fever that had taken over the whole world will now gradually reduce. This fever does not make one ill, but fills the onlooker with some excitement. This ultimate sport fills everyone with joy.
France, the veterans team, never lost a single match in this tourney. Their last match with Croatia was a very planned and well executed one. That beautiful game has caught everyone’s fancy. This victory is as much of the team members, as it is of the French coach Didier Deschamps.
Deschamps had made a strategy that at the onset of match beginning, the opposite team has to be controlled and then the team position has to be reestablished, and finally the team has to play consolidated and well-planned game. France players played by this strategy to the last word.
Hence, when the first half of the match was over, though the ball was with Croatia, France had achieved 2-1. Croatia didn’t lose sight with that score, they played well and played hard. But in the second half, France added two more goals to the score and Croatia could add only one. Though the curtains came down on the tourney in Russia, this excitement has started in France and will live on for a few more months. People are gathering in thousands to celebrate this victory. Though Croatia missed its world cup with a few goals, the country is excited all the same since the very fact that they reached finals itself was a massive feat.
All over the world, people were rooting for Croatia and the players caught fancy of fans with their skill, speed, technique and swiftness.
Many champion teams had been reduced to dust in this tourney. Many champion players had lost their charm and game too. On the other hand, unexpected heroes such as Belgium, and Croatia had reached Semi-Final and Finals, challenging big teams such as France and England. The new stars that are born now are known by the names such as Neymar, Lukaku, Baptie, Kane, Griezmann among the others.
The World Cup Tourney is like a field infested with landmines. A ball that sails though and moves swiftly from one leg to another, is like a live bomb. Every time it launches itself towards the Goal Keeper like a missile, and this can cause massive palpitations to people. And for another such event, one has to wait for another four years. This year, except for the fact that India didn’t have its team here, the country quite enjoyed the game to the hilt. Why India has not been able to create a team of its own in football is a question that needs to be debated on. The time is now ripe to think of a game played on the field, such as football.
In this melee, a girl from the fields of paddy in Assam quietly created a record without much fanfare. The whole world is now looking at her with great interest. Hima won a gold medal in under 20 category of 400 mts track event in IAF World Athletics Championship. When Hima Das bagged the medal, it was the first ever Gold for Indian in a track race. Hima is not a result of some high end training in city.
Instead, she was born as a daughter of paddy farmer in Assam. She took to football initially and was recognized by a very committed football coach. As a result of his identification and forcing her to move to better facilities, India today is taking pride in its daughter for having won gold. Today we are looking for talents in cities, but instead of this, boys and girls from rural areas are quietly making inroads into these sports events. We need to hone skills of rural talents with great urgency. Hima Das’s achievement is that massive.
At the same time, instead of celebrating Hima’s rare feat, Indian Athletics Federation tweeted about her not-so-fluent english. This tweet shows the subordination to English by sports authorities. This is a big indicator for the kind of attitude Federation has about rural candidates. One can easily understand why India is lagging behind in Olympics. Our priorities are all wrong.
A country like Croatia is now achieving great feats in football, globally. Small countries like Cuba are making great strides in Olympics. English is a language that’s largely alien to them. Those officers who are carrying the ego of English on their heads need to be kicked out from Indian Athletics Federation. The task of encouraging rural sports must begin from that point.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
