From Behind the Stumps

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Sports in the Subcontinent

Here is a brief article I did for a friend on sports in the subcontinent.


In a region run full of corrupt politicians and dwindling hopes, the subcontinent people, look more and more towards athletes as their demigods and source of inspiration. Take any country in the subcontinent and you will see problems abound, Tamil Tigers, military coups, terrorism, natural disasters etc. yet despite all this, the people find calm, a sort of solace in watching their teams play. Sport has always headlined the national papers and politics seem to get involved every now and then. Ask a purist, and he will tell you that there is no place of politics in sports, but sadly that is not how that corner of the world functions. The juggernauts of the region, Pakistan and India have always enjoyed a rich rivalry in anything they do and no place is that more apparent than in the sports arena. Recently, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have also tried to make their mark.

It’s easy to understand why sport is so important in the day to day life of people over there. People do not see their nations as being able to rise to international stardom on the diplomatic front, mainly due to corrupt and dishonest politics and the playing field is the greatest equalizer for such smitten people. For over here, can they see their compatriots, rise to the top and represent them. That pride means a lot. More than one’s own honor so to say. The region is abounding of suicides when the favored team loses. Such is the passion; the intensity of the following.

This is clearly illustrated when Sri Lanka won the 1996 Cricket World Cup and united a nation amidst the civil turmoil. Legend has it that on that day the Tamil Tigers ceased attacks in support of their team. Such is the fervor. India was the first to have won the prestigious cricket award in 1983 and Pakistan took home the laurels in 1992. All three nations were considered underdogs going into the decider.

Although, cricket is the dominant game being played there; scars and remnants of the imperialist British rule of the early 20th century, it is heartening to notice that other sports are gaining popularity, slowly but steadily. Squash at one point in Pakistan’s history was a major sport and the Pakistani duo of Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan ruled the squash world during most of the 80’s and early 90’s.

Hockey is another popular sport albeit only amongst the giants of the region. Pakistan having dominated the international scene by winning four of the ten World Hockey Cups including the first ever Cup. India on the other hand have, clearly dominated the Olympic scene by winning eight gold medals. Recently, India launched its Premier Hockey League to increase awareness of the sport and its commercial appeal.

This article I feel can never do the region’s history of sports, one could produce volume after volume and still come up short for the subcontinent is rich and abundant of athletes who act as beacons of light for the masses and inspiration.

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