CWG: Crowd, Where did it Go?

New Delhi: Very truly proves its stand, as it In spite of XIX CWG-2010 in India; Cricket is said to be the Religion of India becoming the CWG: Commonly Watched Game. I am forced to say this because of the uncommon experience; to witness the athletes partaking in the events held in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, hardly could provided a boosting spirit due to its thinner crowed. I was taken aback, as I compared to the 60,000 thickly populated audiences on the opening evening, reducing almost to 6,000, a one tenth, as I went to witness the historic event as a proud Indian in one of these days.

 

The security was unquestionable, as you have to pass through number of passages guarded by types of security personnel along with the installation of the metal detector. Not even a water bottle was spared, along with the eagerly waiting person to get in to the stadium, to quench his/her thirst while cheering for the favorite athlete in the home venue. This kept many to turn out, as the prices were sky high for the snacks and water bottle inside the stadium with out any option of free drinking water. Even before falling on the line that led to the ticket counter, two young men came approaching to sell their tickets as they were informed that they would not be allowed to carry their bags inside the stadium. It was a hard time for them to turn their sweet dreams into nightmare. It was even reportedly come in the news that the Organizing Committee has sold out ticket for every event; while people complained of the mismanagement to own a ticket.

Slowly, the Indians are taking relief from the cricket fever: with CWG they even found out the substitute to it. The country is slowly opening up to be sports centric. The young India is finding interest in field, track and ring events. Now the sport has become a growing culture. Unless we nurture and support the same, we can not compete with the countries like Australia, America, China, Canada and England who always top in the medal tally surpassing India in different international events. This could be wisely handled by the organizing committee by bringing down the ticket price and making it available in different places in different mode with free and fair management. Otherwise, the crowd will be the same, always flocking to the cricket venue. I do not talk something against cricket, but why the XIX CWG-2010 could not gather a remarkable crowd in spite of being held for the first time in India with much hump and pump. But, in the case with cricket; it is unthinkable to go unnoticed where the crowd is simply mad to join the match either it is a Test, One Day or T20. Is it because the huge Business or Glamour or of Cheer Girls associated to it? But rather I would say; it is all about our ATTITUDE. If we keep up the same ATTITUDE, and start supporting the CWG, then no doubts, the athletes would come up with more number of medals. It is a rare chance in million to have the number of nations play in the home venue and at the same time we cheer for our participants to boost their morale. Obviously, we do not want to see our athlete loose in any events; so let us start supporting and cheer for them to help bag medals of glory for our nation with our changed ATTITUDE.

 

Photo Courtesy: Google