As an Indian I have to out rightly say that the recent happenings
in the Indian tennis fraternity has made me lower my head with shame. The
infightings among the Indian tennis stars have been nothing but a farce. The Olympics
considered to be the greatest sporting event in the world where team work
epitomises the true spirit of the games. But whatever is happening right now
seems to crucify the true meaning of the Olympic games .
The whole buffoonery started with Mahesh not wanting to
partner Lee and instead tagging on with his current partner Bopanna. Things got
out of hand with an insipid selection committee who are apparently acclaimed
internationally. They could have very well brought things under control by
taking a firm stand that they would have the final word as far as the team
selection was considered. But they let the situation slip away by openly
stating that the team would not be the same without Lee. This gave birth to
many conspiracy theories within the media that the selection committee was
taking side with Lee and there was also
another story stating that the players dint want to partner Lee and were taking
sides with Mahesh as his sports
management company are managing their careers.
Things certainly went out of control when Dr Paes, a former Olympian
and Leander’s father came to the media stating Leander’s achievements and why
he should get what he wants i.e Mahesh should partner Leander and not Bopanna
or else Sania should partner Lee and not her regular partner Mahesh. Sania ,
after getting her wildcard confirmation rightly came out and blasted the two
players on using her as a bait to get what they wanted and even more farcical
was when Dr Lee asked for a letter of assurance from Sania that she would
partner Lee . This blew her lid as she was always ready to partner anyone and
it questioned her integrity.
Could things have been better had the media acted a little
more responsibly? Guys from the media would say that finally the blame is on
them. But everyone is to be blamed here. Irresponsible players with their
bloated egos, a spineless tennis federation running the sport in the country or
is it Dr Lee not behaving like a responsible Olympian.
Finally i just want to say that i don’t have any hopes that
whichever or how many ever Indian tennis teams go to play at the Olympics ,I don’t
expect them to win any medal or even if they do end up winning something by
accident, I would not rejoice with them as neither the spirit won nor the rightful
talent won.. The only one who ended up winning are their self bloated egos and they can hang
their medals in their drawing rooms and scream that they are the best. These
sportsmen first need to be taught that absolutely no one is bigger than the
game.
