Hosting Cities & International Sporting Events : Olympics , Asian Games, Commonwealth Games

1951 - Asian Games
1982 - Asian Games
1989 - Asian Track and Field Championship
1993 - Badminton World Cup
2000 - Thomas Cup and Uber Cup
2008 - European Tour Golf
2010 - World Cup Hockey
2010 - Commonwealth Games
2012 - SAARC Games
2024 - Olympics ( may be )



Are you able to find any similarity in the list above? All these big events were and will be hosted by India in only one City - New Delhi.




Besides the above list New Delhi has also hosted many other events like Cycling Championship, World Billiards & Snooker Championship, International Volleyball Championships and many Davis Cup matches. Golf tournaments have also become a regularity in the city now. Lets also not forget that Delhi is the second hub in India after Mumbai.

What does all this details signify?
Is there only one city in India capable of hosting international events in India?
Perhaps no.
Is the love for Delhi of politicians sitting in Delhi?
May be.
IS the easy availability of funds from the center for an event to be hosted in Delhi?
May be.
Or is the attitude that one city is ready and lets host the event here, investment will be less?
Quiet Possible.
or due to callousness of sitting from eternity on their seats as the Chief of various non working sports bodies in India?
Possible.


There is no single reason for hosting of events regularly in Delhi. Its a combination of reasons listed above, there may be others also. But point is big tournaments are meant for development of the city infrastrucutrally and culturally.


Lets first analyze how much delhi has changed since it got the CWG 2010 hosting rights. Construction of flyovers and broadning of existing roads has increased and its been getting completed before time. Metro rail has spread to NCR region covering Noida, Ghaziabad and will soon be entering Gurgaon. City has got swanky line of red and green low floor buses which are slowly replacing killer blue line buses. Power shortage is rare in major areas of Delhi now. New T3 terminal will be inagurated soon. Various cultural events are lined up during the games times.

More than 1 lakh visitors are expected during the games times, they will be like brand ambassadors of their respective nations and will take away what they see here. In case of toursim word of mouth is most powerful form of advertising. Keeping this in mind tours to major tourists like Agra, Jaipur , Shimla , Amritsar are planned by various travel companies. Economy of the hosting city gets boost due to hosting rights. This is just in brief what can happen to a hosting city. I am not mentioning here what benefits sports persons get due to hosting, there are rarely few benefits visible, we only remember the past heroes at the time of baton relays and in most of cases bollywood celebrities are given limelight.



Crux is India should have tried to spread out hosting of events in major cities of India. VEry few events are hosted in cities apart from Delhi. Youth Commonwealth Games in Pune, first and last Afro Asian games in Hyderabad and may be few more of international scale.

Cluster Model for Asian/Commonwealth/Olympics Games:

We should have followed the cluster model just like in industries in hosting events. Delhi in north , Mumbai/Pune or Ahmedabad in west, Hyderabad/Chennai/Banglore in south, Kolkata/Bhubaneshwar in east. This would have atleast spread the infrastructure development to varios regions in India.

Map Showing hosts cities of CWG Games

From

South Korea has hosted Asian games in its 3 cities Seol(1986), Busan(2002), Incheon(2014). Only Bankok is following the wrong strategy it has hosted Asian Games 4 times in 1962,1970,1978,1998. China is also spreading the cities Beijin hosted asian games in 1990 and Guangzhou will be hosting in 2010, if they wanted they would have easily hosted games in Beijing again and used olympics infrastructure.
Similarly in case of commonwealth games Australia has hosted games in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane. Scotland hosted in Edinburg and Glasgow(2014).
India needs infra development badly it should use such events as a way to develop cities. We dream of hosting olympics by 2020 but we cant event find place other than Delhi for hosting CWG/Asian games in places other than capital. India can start with bidding for 2018 Asian Games.


Specific Cities for Hosting Individual Sports Championships.

Boxing is popular in North East though due to rein of Mr Chautala as Boxing supremo hub is being shifted to Haryana. Internation Boxing events can be held in North East and Haryana to spread the sports here. We have to target regions from where we can get gold medals at olympics. Chances of a boxer from these region getting medals are slighly higher compared to other places.


In same way Hockey events can be hosted in Punjab, Wrestling in UP, Haryana , Punjab, Delhi. Badminton tournaments in Southern part of countires. By following this method we will be developing small clusters for specific games. These places will have better coaching facilities,infrastrucutre and culture for these sports which is most important.

I hope it would not be See you in Delhi next time

but

See you in Chennai

See you in Pune

See you in Kolkota .................. next time

Do you believe in miracles? YES!

Miracle is based on true story about the United States men's hockey team, led by head coach, Herb Brooks, that won the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics. The USA team's victory over the heavily favored Soviet team in the medal round was dubbed the Miracle on Ice.

Movie begins with scenes depicting the cold war era of late 60's and 70's. The oil shortage and long gasoline lines. The disgraced President Nixon. The embattled President Carter. The Russians invading Afghanistan, Armstrong landing on the moon. Then we see coach Brooks played by Kurt Russel getting ready for the interview to become the coach of the USA's ice hockey team. He says the Americans would have to change their style of playing and adapt to a mix style of Canadians and Russians. Despite the fact that the Olympic Committee seem very skeptical of his ambitious goal, Brooks is hired.

Brooks meets his assistant coach Craig Patrick at the tryouts in Colorado Springs, they were their to select the preliminary rooster of 26 players later to be cut to 20 only. Brooks selection totally differs from the Olympic committee members and even his assistant coach's.
Brooks argues when his assistant coach says you are missing some of the best players:

"I'm not looking for the best players, I'm looking for the right ones."

He manages to convince Walter Bush, the executive director of the committee that he has the best interests at heart. Brooks says that he selected these 26 players through preparation in advance, talking with coaches and scouts about the players. Bush sides with Brooks and agrees to take the heat from the committee, saying, "I'll back you up on this one."

Then begins the long process of making the team, binding the bunch of 26 individuals into a family. Brooks tells his assistant coach that he should be near to his team .i.e more attached to his team, every move of Brooks has a motive.
He tells to his team about the 45 second drill

Red line, back. Blue line, back. Far blue line, back. Far red line, back. And you have 45 seconds to do it. Get used to this drill. You'll be doing it *a lot*. Why? Because the legs feed the wolf, gentlemen. I can't promise you we'll be the best team at Lake Placid next February. But we will be the best conditioned. That I can promise you.

He then calls for introductions, in which each player states his name, his hometown, and for whom he plays.
One such talk.....
Herb Brooks: What's your name?
Mark Johnson: Mark Johnson.
Herb Brooks: Where you from, Mark?
Mark Johnson: Madison, Wisconsin.
Herb Brooks: Who do you play for?
Mark Johnson: University of Wisconsin, Coach.

Still the team has not become a team.

Meanwhile in the family of Herb, there is small fight with his wife regarding his unassailable dream of beating the mighty unbeatable Russians. He says to his wife this is his dream and without her support this victory w

During an exhibition game against the Norwegian National Team in Oslo that ends in a 3-3 tie, Brooks notices the players are distracted and not playing up to their potential. Many of them are talking about the girls sitting in the stadium.
After the game even before the stadium has emptied he starts the 45 second drill known as herbies as punishment for their lack of effort.

Herb Brooks: 1. Again.
[whistle blows]

This goes on for hours, in between he through to them various

think you can win on talent alone
gentlemen you don't have enough talent to win on talent alone

Herb Brooks: 1. Again.
[whistle blows]

Herb Brooks: When you pull on that jersey, the name on the front is a hell of alot more important than the one on the back.

Herb Brooks: 1. Again.
[whistle blows]

win loose or tie you gonna play like champions

Brooks continues the brutal drill; several players are on the verge of collapse; Doc Nagobads gets angry and accuses Brooks of sabotaging his players but Brooks wouldn't listen. Finally exhausted forward Mike Eruzione shouts.

Mike Eruzione: Mike Eruzione! Winthrop, Massachusettes!
Herb Brooks: Who do you play for?
Mike Eruzione: I play for the United States of America!

This is one of the best moment of the movie.

Brooks concludes the drill. Assistant coach gives a smile as he now have understood the reason behind the drill, in fact he gives such smiles many times whenever Brooks uses his unconventional style.

The team has become team now.

Brooks also brings in Tim Harrer, a star from Brooks' University of Minnesota team, to test the players commitment. Despite having a good year playing with his current team, the University of Minnesota, some feel Harrer is an obstacle to them making the final roster, but mainly he didn't fit within their "family".


The team plays the Soviets in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden. The Russians manhandle the young American team, winning by a score of 10-3. During the game, O'Callahan receives an injury that could keep him out of the entire Olympics, and starting goaltender Jim Craig is told he may be benched in favor of back-up goalie Steve Janaszak. Craig ends up retaining his starting job.

As the Olympic tournament begins, the Americans trail Sweden 2-1 in the first game, Brooks fire up the team by accusing injured McClanahan


Herb Brooks: This is unbelievable. You guys are playing like this is some throw away game up in Rochester. Who we playing Rammer?
Mike Ramsey: Sweden.
Herb Brooks: Yeah. You're damn right Sweden! In the Olympics!
[Turns to McClanahan]
Herb Brooks: What the hell is wrong with you? Put your gear on!
[pause]
Herb Brooks: I said put your gear on!
Rob McClanahan: Doc told me I can't play.
Herb Brooks: Yeah, yeah, yeah I know. You got a bad bruise. You know what put youre street clothes on because I got no time for quitters!
Mike Eruzione: Come on Herb! No body is quitting here!
Herb Brooks: You worry about your own game. Plenty there to keep you busy.
Herb Brooks: A bruise on the leg is a hell of a long way from the heart, candy ass.
Rob McClanahan: What'd you call me?
Herb Brooks: You heard me!
Rob McClanahan: You want me to play huh? Is that what you want?
Herb Brooks: I want you to be a hockey player!
Rob McClanahan: I AM A HOCKEY PLAYER! YOU WANT ME TO PLAY ON ONE LEG? HUH? I'LL PLAY ON ONE LEG!
Herb Brooks: [walking out of the locker room with McClanahan still screaming] That'll get him going.
Craig Patrick: O yeah. I'll clean up!

McClanahan ends up playing despite his pain, and the inspired American team came through as Bill Baker scores a goal in the final minute for a dramatic 2-2 tie. They follow that up with a 7-3 win over heavily favored Czechoslovakia, then victories over Romania and West Germany to earn a spot in the medal round.

Then comes the big one clash with the Russians in the semis, battled is tilted highly in favor of Russians who are unbeatable in the last 16 years in olympics. Before the game Brooks gives the team an inspirational speech in which he tells them.

Herb Brooks: Great moments... are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it.

I would not tell you about the match you need to watch the movie to feel it. The match has huge emotions attached with it, in the late 70's when Russia and USA are fighting the cold war this is of huge significance, Americans are loosing hope and this match would give them hope that they are the best in the world. You can only feel the emotions attached to the match only after watching the movie.

Crowd: USA, USA, USA.

Feel the match....................you need to watch the movie

[last lines]
Herb Brooks: [voiceover] Two days later the miracle was made complete.

This movie is about coach Brook only, it inspires me ... everything is possible if you have believe in yourself.

Movie ends with song Dream On Dream On .......................................
you will like you have to do something big in this world, remember everything is possible


anyone coming up with Lagaan desi..

img:imdb
quotes:imdb

Technorati Tags:sports movie, olympics, miracle, ice hockey, herb brooks, kurt russel

Chariots of Fire

Being inactive for such a long time, I thought I would chip in with something hatke, anyway sports is not that exciting anymore (just a transient phase will pass). So a movie review for Chariots of Fire, one of the bestest Sports movie ever is a good way to restart my Pen at PenTheGame.

Think of Chariots of Fire and the first thing which comes to mind is the genius of Vangelis. If you are not able to recollect to the tune go back to the age when DD showed Asian Games or Olympics, that was the music which was always played, still not able to recollect, do a Youtube for the theme and you will get it for sure. Obviously the soundtrack is something which can never be forgotten, but the movie is no less.

It is one of only three sports movie ever to win an Oscar for the Best Picture, the other ones being Rocky & Million Dollar Baby which belong to another genre of Boxing movies. Chariots of Fire tells the story of two young athletes competing at 1924 Paris Olympics, the will to prove something to the world in the backdrop of their individual religious commitments. Eric Liddell stands by his missionary commitments and refuses to run his best event, 100 M as his missionary responsibility forces him not to run the race on Sunday.Being a Christian at heart but with a soul of athlete he competes for 400M event and wins it. As he quotes in the movie,

'But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and be not weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.'

The constant dichotomy involving responsibility towards God and Nation finally comes to an end with success on both fronts. The story of Eric tells us to how to fulfill all responsibilities with commitment and also how faith goes hand in hand with your life.

Harold Abrahams, the second athlete in picture is not just an answer to anti-semitism practised in Europe in those days, he symbolises a young bright individual who jsut did it his own way. Harold's college dash through Trinity College Cambridge is quite in contrast with Eric's religious dash towards understanding God. His victory in 100M filled the void created by absence of Eric and made him an athlete which Britishers admire till date.

Above all the movie as most of the other sports movies tells you to fight, but the narrative can't be as picturesque as this. Theopening shot of the movie which involves runners running on a beach is a classic with Vangelis playing in background. It is one of the most positive movies one will ever see, with quite a feel good vibe flowing along with it. A must watch for all Sports Lovers, Music Lovers, infact or everyone.

Technorati Tags: Chariots of Fire , Sports Movie , Vangelis , Eric Liddell, Harold Abrahams

Budget 2007 : What's in for Sports

We reap what we sow. We are the makers of our own fate.
The wind is blowing; those vessels whose sails are unfurled
catch it, and go forward on their way, but those which have
their sails furled do not catch the wind. Is that the fault of
the wind?....... We make our own destiny.”
Swami Vivekananda

This quote was used by the FM during his last year budget speech. Another year has passed by and now we are again waiting for the D-Day of FM when he will be presenting the budget for the 2007-08. Big question is what to expect from the FM regarding the sports budget. Will it same as previous years a marginal increase.

I will weave around the words of Vivekananda

We reap what we sow :

Very true what we reap we will sow. So we need very good investment by government of India is sports to expect some medals from the players in Olympics. There is no shortage of talent in a county of billion , but that talent has to be tapped for doing that we should give opportunities to budding players. There has to be stadias in plenty , sports equipments in plenty, coaches to train players to guide them, professional institutes to train coaches.
How will these come ? Not with mere 500 crores and considering the pattern that 400 crores will not be utilised effectively you all know why (Corruption, filling pockets). With 100 crores we expect a rich haul of gold and this discussion always start 2 months before the olympics with news channels coming with wacky headlines like
Kya abki baari jeet hogi hamari ? Kya abki bari bharat gold medal la payega

We are the makers of our own fate:

Old saying hard work always pays stands true to much extent but the big question is players work hard , they practice hard , what is to be done about the politicians who don't know ABCD of the sports whose committee they are heading for the past ten to fifteen years or so. Who is to blame for the continuous practice of sports ministry sending more officials then players in major tournament.

The wind is blowing; those vessels whose sails are unfurled
catch it, and go forward on their way, but those which have
their sails furled do not catch the wind.

Wind in form of having got the opportunity to organize big events like 2010 commonwealth games and bidding for the 2014 Asian games in Kuwait on April 16 and 17 . Getting to stage big events alone is not gonna help alone. There were rumors also that India is bidding for 2016 olympics, there is a need to have a strong base on which development/grooming of players and coaches is done. Take the example of china it is hosting the event when it has shown to the world its sports talent and there is high chance that china will dislodge the Americans in the medal tally in 2008 olympics. China sent a 700 strong squad mainly consisting of rookies in the qatar asian games. Do India has enough strength to send such a contingent? We have to utilize the 2010 commonwealth games as our base for olympics. We need to be in top 2 in these games with a rich medal haul not of 12-15 golds only.

Is that the fault of
the wind?....... We make our own destiny.

To a big extent it is the fault of government, but now I am hopeful that FM will give a big boost to sports. Tax benefits are expected for sports goods this measure will increase the sale of various sports equipments by large population. We need a big sports budget atleast bigger then the BCCI earnings. We need bigger grants not meager as in the last decade.

We will make our destiny, we are waiting for a ray of hope then future will be ours.

Am I right or ???? Comments..........


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India Budget Sports SportsBudget

Sports Personalities and their Resolutions for 2007

This is my guesses on what New Year Resolutions of sports stars and sports federations heads could be. No offenses to the personalities.

Maria Sharapova: I will stop grunting on the courts
img from: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/


Yuvraj Singh: I will never ever play kabaddi in my life.

K.P.S Gill : I will revive Indian Hockey again.
(By sacking the coach and removing the experienced hockey players. )

Sania Mirza : I will win a grand slam

Greg Chappell: I will patch up with Ganguly

Sharad Pawar : I will pay heed to my agriculture ministry also

Paes-Bhupati : We will not fight and together watch Ekta Kapoor Soaps

Roger Federer : Hope somebody gives me a fight next year

Saurav Ganguly : I will become captain again

Suresh Kalmadi : We will bid for 2016 medals and
prepare a team which will win 10 golds in 2008 olympics.

Dhoni: I will further grow my hair and have a big pony tail like ladies

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