The headlines were quite implausible. Japan’s Momiji Nishiya, all of 13 won the first women street skateboard Olympic gold medal. The silver medal was awarded to another 13 year old from Brazil and the bronze to a much older, wait for it, a 16 year old. No this was gymnasts but skateboarders. The sport is irrelevant but what stands out is the age of these winners. A medal at the Olympics marks one for life in a largely positive sense. It is the result of years of hard work. But this is something rather unusual. This however also contrasts sharply with what is happening in India and specifically in Goa. At the age of 12 or 13, children seem to start taking an interest in sport. Football is an exception in Goa where children as young as 8 or 9 try to learn basic skills of the sport.
Elvis Gomes former government servant and sports administrator was his typical blunt self when he pointed out reasons for the poor state of affairs. He said “We remember sports only during the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympic games. Our sports have been infiltrated by so many politicians who do in this field what they do in everyday politics. Recently we have been focused on catching them young but it is just a word. We don’t practice. We are hypocrites in all sectors. We don’t practice what we preach. It’s all hogwash.” He said a statement was made to make India a sporting nation but it was just that. Olympics he said come and go but nothing seems to bother the country. Serious countries had done their work and were excelling. The National Games were scheduled to be held in the state but had been delayed several times. In such a scenario how could one promote sports he asked? He pointed out the administration was a discouragement and cited the example of Yash Phadte, the squash champion who was doing very well nationally and internationally but was not getting any help from the state government. He said “You have to have a politician backing you to get anywhere. We spend so much money on the Lusifonia games. What has been its legacy? We seem to spend more money on officials than on the athletes.” He may have spoken like a politician but he was speaking the truth.
Gurudatta Bhakta Goa Olympic Association when asked this question laughed and said “You have witnessed how it is over here in Goa. It is a relaxed atmosphere in this state. At camps, fathers come and take their children away because either their mother misses them or for some other reason. In such conditions, what do you expect from the athletes in Goa. I believe you have to start taking boys and girls at 7 or 8 in a program that will last ten or fifteen years. They are taken care of completely, their food, diet, practice, his equipment and yes the promise of a job whether he succeeds or not. Only then you can have some athletes coming through the system. Otherwise forget it. If this 15 year formula is not followed then forget about Goans reaching levels attained at the Olympics. Look at the Chinese formulae. You have to slog for 4 or 8 years to achieve a medal.”
The educationist spoken to had their own opinions. Remy Rodrigues E Dias, Educationist Chairperson of Vision Society in a statement said the education system was losing relevance. Its potential needed to be unleashed. She strongly believed that each child developed at his own pace. But in this modern, hyper-competitive environment, this natural rhythm was being disrupted. If any child shows early signs of specific interest or specific talent in any sport, then that needs to be tapped and developed further. Unfortunately there was an absence of a support system that nurtures individual talents of kids at an early age. A lot depended on ones political connections and power influence. This chain had to be broken. Learning had to be individualized for staff to understand each student better. Only when doing this, they would be able to identify strengths and develop them further to bring glory to the state and the country. Developing a gifted and talented strategy that enriches the gifts of the pupils is essential. Spark interest she said and keep the flame burning with adequate and effective support.
Chadwick Furtado a Physical education teacher at St Jude’s High School, Betalbatim said that in India the kids were never given an opportunity to express themselves. There was a lot of pressure from the parents towards their wards to perform well in academics but very little importance is given to sports. He said “The system here in India is also very much responsible as when we select the state or National teams there is a lot of Nepotism being done from a very young age. India has never taken sports seriously compared to other countries who take sports as an industry and not merely for entertainment. Sports should be part of their life right from the early age of 5 years and grass root development should be really taken seriously and in turn we will get excellent sports persons at a very young age for sure.”
A person who has a very interesting point of view was Maymol Rocky the first female association football coach and former head coach of India women’s national football team. She said the attitude of the parents were very important. She said since the children would be very young it would be important for the parents to guide them. Some of them would pull the children out when they reached the 10th standard citing exam pressures but increasingly she said parents were more understanding and bringing them to football camps at an early age. She said a change was taking place but it would take time.
Another famous Goan sportsman who is highly respected and once lit the fields of India and was ranked amongst the best in Asia, Brahmanand Sankhwalkar said it was important to have a system. He said “Like someone who joins the army, kids should be given for sports and they should be trained, educated and encouraged to give their best. Even if they lose, they should be protected and encouraged. Their parents will then have confidence that their children’s future is secure. Many will be lost by the way and there should be guarantees for them. There are parents who will understand and encourage their kids”.
The road ahead looks rough with anyone interested in changing it having to battle well entrenched attitudes as well as a system that seems focused on maintaining the status quo. Well time will tell how it all works out.
