Some good and bad moments of Indian sports – Here are some ‘˜pataka’ and ‘˜not-so pataka’ moment of Indian sport this year.
Diwali or also known ‘Deepavali’ is a festival that is celebrated the world over.
The fest includes by lighting earthen ‘diyas’ (lamps) and also decorating houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting friends and family in for a luxurious feast. More so, Diwali is a festival that is a celebration of happiness and a win over darkness.
Just as we speak, Diwali is also about firecrackers!
Young and old gather around to burst crackers that lighten up the dark sky and bring joy to many faces. In Indian words, firecrackers are known as ‘pataka’ and what happens when we relate it to Indian sport. Indian sport is on the path to success, achieving many goals as well as making many superstars. But also attached to it is the failure. Times have seen many of our players not succeed or controversies plague the country and sport alike.
So here are some ‘pataka’ and ‘not-so pataka’ moment of Indian sport that has raked in the news columns this year.
Pataka Moment –
Indian hockey gold
The Indian hockey team had not gone with high expectations but yes a defiant show was expected from Terry Walsh’s boys. But when the going gets tough, the tough gets going and that’s what Indian team did as they clinched an Asiad gold by beating arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out of the final. More so, the Men In Blue also won a berth at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Indian cricket team wins ODI series in England
MS Dhoni’s side came into the 50-over format with a dismal Test performance at the back of their heads but some fresh faces and disciplined team management ensured the world champions go back victorious.
Squash wins India’s first medal at CWG
Indian squash duo of Joshana Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal became the first ever pair to win a CWG gold medal as they outplayed Jenny Duncalf and Laura Massaro of England in the final. The fifth-seeded pair defeated their English opponents with a 11-6 11-8 win in the best-of-three game final and make a mark in Indian sport.
ISL 2014 kicks-off
Indian football has never seen the light of the day but here it was fighting the odds thanks to some financial support from Reliance-IMG and AIFF as Indian Super League made its way onto ‘desi’ shores. Moreover, some of the world’s top stars like Alessandro Del Piero, Freddie Ljunberg and Robert Pires have pledged their support to improve the grassroot level of Indian football.
MC Mary Kom’s Gold medal win
First it was her movie that was earning the plaudits and then herself – Boxer M C Mary Kom became the first Indian woman boxer to clinch a gold medal at the Asian Games. The five-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist, had won a bronze at the 2010 Asiad but with grit and determination, ‘Magnificent Mary’ fought her way back into the history books.
Not-So Pataka Moment:
Sarita Devi lands AIBA suspension
Indian boxer Sarita Devi was dominating her 60kg semifinals bout against Korean boxer Ji-Na Park at the 2014 Asian Games but unfortunately was declared on the losing side. In reply, the Manipuri refused to accept the bronze medal and walked away from the podium but later offered an apology to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). But taking nothing in their stride, the The International Boxing Association (AIBA) Executive Committee Bureau suspended Devi as well as her management at the Games.
Indian Team’s Test shame
After winning a historic Test at Lord’s, MS Dhoni’s side crumbled under pressure as they wavered and faltered on English shores, losing the Test series 3-1 in the process. Moreover, the likes of Virat Kohli who had dominated the Indian cricket scene, did not trouble the scorers and was in the news for the wrong reasons.
Terry Walsh’s walkout
Despite India’s success at the Asiad 2014, Aussie coach Terry Walsh stirred up a controversy when the former issued a resignation over a ‘pay dispute’ against the SAI (Sports Authority Of India). Walsh’s resignation revolved around an array of issues that included the rift of egos between Hockey India and SAI, as well as “flexibility and Indian bureaucracy don’t go hand in hand.” But some ‘efforts’ from the SAI and the Sports Ministry, Walsh took back the resignation.
