It just ain't cricket

The English may have ruled India for 200 years. And the English gentlemen might have invented the game of cricket. But it is India that rules the world of cricket. "The world of cricket" is a contradiction in terms really. Ten odd countries and reducing, who play this game, with three of them which were part of one country - India. And the amount of money being spent (and earned) out of this one game is incredible to say the least. We revel at our one major conquest of 25 years ago (kudos to Kapil's Devils) and on the other side of the coin, forget that there is something known as hockey which is not only our national sport, bit one where we have earned kudos for decades. India was once a name to be reckoned with as far as at least Asian football was concerned. We have had global champions in badminton. We have some great chess players including the current world number one. But, the badminton camp for the Olympics had to be scrapped because they did not have Rs 75000 to buy shuttle cocks. There is no money to buy ammunition for the shooters, our medal hope for the Olympics. I do not grudge BCCI for running the business of cricket and turning the game into such a huge money spinner. I only wish that there is someone somewhere with the vision and the interest to see the opportunity in other sports. Not just the money that has to come in, what is required is management excellence and a vision to see and telescope the future for glory in the years to come. But then, business is business and everyone wants to back a winning horse. But to me, this just ain't cricket.