No one perhaps thought that ministers of Kerala had such love for sports. Kudos to our Chief Minister, Sports Minister and another minister and the Sports Council president who recently reached the home of Sanju Samson to felicitate him for his inclusion in the Indian cricket team. They honoured him in traditional Kerala style by presenting him a flower bouquet and an honorary shawl.
It was a good move by the ministers because the gesture would encourage sportsmen and bring into focus the world of sports, especially as Kerala is getting ready to host the National Games. When the CM honoured Sanju with the shawl, he was symbolising the regard and respect that Kerala has for the young and talented cricketer.
Now, here is a request to the ministers: please do not end your love for sports here and please do not restrict that to cricket alone. Even if you take time to acknowledge other sports and sportsmen, please do it consistently. Our young and talented youth are active in many disciplines and they give us enough opportunities to acknowledge and recognise their skills that are often outstanding and above par.
For example, P R Sreejesh, Kerala’s pride in hockey, has returned with a silver medal from the Commonwealth Games. He was the only sportsperson from Kerala to win a medal at the Glasgow Games and is the vice-captain of the Indian team. He has the aggression that is rare among Indian players. He completed his schooling from G V Raja School in Thiruvananthapuram and went on to represent India even though his home state does not have even a single synthetic hockey turf. However, there is no news that he was felicitated or even given a courtesy call by any MLA or minister of the state. The young player is now in Chennai, where a government that rewards outstanding sportsmen is in power. He has already received an assurance of Rs 30 lakh for his performance.
That Sreejesh is held in high esteem by his team-mates is clear from what his captain Sardar Singh has to say about him. Sardar said that all in the team try to raise the standard of their game to match Sreejesh’s. His performances, including that at the London Olympics, were outstanding and one of a kind, said Sardar. He added that the whole team is motivated by Sreejesh’s directions, performance and the occasional scolding that he reserves for them. One must remember that these words are from a Sikh player, who represents a community that considers hockey as their monopoly. When Sardar acknowledges the vast difference in performance levels of Sreejesh and the rest of the team, it is a compliment in itself, a recognition that needs no further explanation.
Sardar perhaps echoed similar words spoken years earlier by a former Indian hockey coach about Muhammad Shahid. The coach said, ‘Give me two or three Shahids and I will show you how the Indian team can be world-beaters.’ Perhaps, it is time for one or more Sreejeshs to conquest the world for India.
And what has Sreejesh have to say? He wants a job in Kerala, settle down here and associate himself with the sport in the state. He already has a good job in Chennai, but is ready to quit provided he is guaranteed of a good job in Kerala. Perhaps his words ring with modest hopes and aspirations and a genuine love for his home state. The Kerala government had assured him a job, two years before, but nothing has happened yet. Would the CM and his retinue visit Sreejesh’s house to honour him? Will they at least arrange a job for him even if they do not drape him in an honorary shawl? If they do, they would be fulfilling the aspirations of sports lovers in India. After all, he is our boy, is he not?
The story of neglect is perhaps not unique to Sreejesh. We have, in our state, a woman basketball player who is an Asian top-scorer. She is from Changanassery and her name is Geethu Anna Jose. She is the best Indian woman basketball player that the nation has seen yet. Working for the Railways and posted at Chennai, Geethu has been trying to relocate to Thiruvananthapuram for some time now, obviously without any success. Is the Railways so alien and out of reach for our politicians that they cannot fulfil this simple need of Geethu?
There is another player in Kozhikode who has been representing India in international volleyball matches for the past 15 years or more. The mere mention of Tom Joseph is enough to thrill volleyball lovers. However, how many people in Kerala know about this player’s attacking prowess?
If we care to take the numbers, we can meet a lot like those mentioned above who have brought laurels to the country, but have unfortunately remained outside the glare of public attention. Ideally, the recognition that they get should encourage younger people to follow their footsteps. The determination and alacrity that Kerala should show in acknowledging the merit of such players would go a long way to ensure that baby steps taken by those who follow them do not wander, to a less exclusive place where their potential skills are lost forever.
Tailpiece: How many of those who passionately abused ace tennis player Maria Sharapova on facebook for her ignorance about Sachin Tendulkar know the above mentioned Indian players from our state?
source: http://www.beta.english.manoramaonline.com / Manorama Online / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by K N R Nampoothiri / Friday – August 08th, 2014