In India, cricket reigns supreme and hogs the limelight because of media hype and hoopla coupled with the frenzy and craze on the part of would-be cricketers and the aficionados of the once regarded gentleman’s game.
Even football which produced great players like Balaram, Chuni Goswami, PK Banerjee or Jarnail Singh, is now relegated to the background; Gostha Pal or Sailen Manna are just legends. During those halcyon days, football had a galaxy of legendary players but money played no role. In the absence of the electronic media, these players failed to create much flutter in the minds of teenagers.
Dhyanchand, the wizard of hockey, did not get what he deserved, though hockey made us proud during those golden days. Abhinav Bindra, PT Usha or Milkha Singh and even Leander Paes and their ilk have just made their presence felt. Sania Mirza has become an idol because of her glamour and dress. Media too has played its part in shoring up her image.

We are usually not acquainted with the names of the athletes who participate in the Olympics until they win medals. Even Viswanathan Anand might have become a forgotten hero had he failed to retain the world chess title. Even after achieving this great feat he draws less attention and there isn’t much euphoria except in newspaper headlines.
Even in the absence of patronage, infrastructure, sponsorship, chess-players and other gritty athletes are in the arena trying to make a mark. What is worse, Jhulan, the woman cricketer of the year, failed to evoke much admiration.
We have to change our outlook and give these people their due.