SAINA NEHWAL - INDIAN CHAMPION

Hello,
With the Indian cricket team going out of the world cup without a fight and Jeev Milkha Singh struggling for form I had thought it would take a long while before I wrote about an Indian Champion.
It is my mistake that I missed writing on Suranjoy Singh who gave India its first Asian championship gold in 15 years. Thokchom Nanao Singh and Jai Bhagwan who got silver medals and Jitender Kumar (54kg) Vijender Singh (75kg), Dinesh Kumar (81kg) and Paramjit Samota (+91kg) who won bronze are the unsung heroes in the Indian Sporting arena.
The country’s boxers rounded off a 27-year best performance in the elite event in Zhuhai, China ending the campaign with a gold, two silver and four bronze medals. The team was placed third in the overall standings behind host China and Uzbekistan.
Coming back to my search for an Indian Champion. Saina Nehwal has finally delivered. She was always at the rim of the steep incline to being called the best and she has shown tremendous character in working hard to finally reach there. Victory in Indonesia Super Series badminton tournament is the first ever Super Series win by an Indian and she can now proudly step on the pedestal that was till now reserved for our All England heroes Prakash Padukone and Gopichand.
The BAI, a very poor cousin of the BCCI, has announced an award of Rs. 2,00,000/= peanuts when compared to what BCCI distributed to schools in South Africa (Rs. 5,30,00,000/=) during the IPL. Does this raise a question about loyalty to the nation?
But it has always been like this in India. A politician can donate a gold crown with diamond studs worth Rs. 4,00,00,000/= at Tirupati Balaji when he just has to step out of his house and see people who do not get a single meal every day.
The focus is wrong and till we get it right we shall continue to be a nation without many heroes.
Regards,
Manoj

World Cup 20 Twenty

Hello,
Last time while writing about the IPL I had mentioned that Dhoni, as captain of Chennai, had his bad moments in the field and made decisions that went against his team.
Now with India out of the World Cup 20 Twenty a lot has already been spoken about the mistakes he made in and out of the playing arena. He has also turned defensive and his batting (pushes, nudges and defensive prods) indicate that he is no longer the aggressive captain he was when India won the World cup and put up strong performances against Australia, England and Sri Lanka in the recent past. His defensive attitude on the Sehwag issue also indicated that he is now burdened by thoughts that are in no way connected with winning. Finally when he started blaming the BCCI for selecting players with injuries he exhibited fraility. When the leader tries to camouflage poor performance he is not doing justice to his position. Not only is he being dishonest, he is also blocking the path of remedy.
India is a cricket crazy nation and it is normal that defeats affect us badly. When you are so passionate about the game it is normal that you wear your heart on your sleave and it is again stupid of people to put this outpouring of feelings as a sign of immaturity. (Artherton says Indian supporters are most immature)
The only way to get back the support of the fans is by getting back to the winner's podium. Belief in their own natural abilities will get them back there. Too much analysis spoils the broth, Dhoni should go by his insticts again, attack and trust the attacking players. Do not play the way the media wants you to, play for victory.
Good luck to Dhoni and his men when they tour West Indies.
Manoj