Do we Really Need to Host the Olympics?

Will India bid? Will we not? So much speculation ahead of International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach's visit to India this week, especially his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The underlying question on everyone's minds - is India even ready to bid for the 2024 Olympics? But to my mind the real question is - Why should India bid for the Olympics.(India Not to Bid for 2024 Olympics: Bach)

I am sure you find this strange coming from a sports journalist but we've got to face the facts here. The 'Make in India' philosophy should be extended first to the athletes rather than the Games and here's why:

The Basics First!

Let the 'Roti-Kapda aur Makaan' come and then the sports can follow. With more than 300 million of our population living below poverty line, our focus and our resources need to be constantly on the basics. How can the government spend billions to conduct the month-long games when fundamental needs of the citizens haven't been met? Proof of that were the continuous protests in Brazil ahead of the Football World Cup and the upcoming Rio Olympics.

'Swachh Sports Abhiyan'

The corruption, the red-tapism and the constant controversies in India sport. Did you not get enough of it during the 2010 Commonwealth Games? Or are you still craving for more? There were probes for every department of the Organising Committee and every functionary. And just in case you've forgotten- Remember the jeering that Suresh Kalmadi got during the Opening ceremony of the Games!

Add to that the fact that majority of the venues that were upgraded and constructed for the Commonwealth Games continue to lie unutilised or underutilized after the Games. Federations recognised and derecognised at the drop of a hat, let's get that sorted out first! It's a shame really!

Aid the Athlete!

Boxers working as Domestic help, athletes forced to mortgage their homes- the struggles of India's athletes are well known. It's great when state governments announce huge bonuses and prizes for medalists but it's the journey till that point which needs to be addressed. Financially struggling families put in even their last penny to see their little prodigy go from junior talent to champion.

What we need to do is open up the existing facilities to the Public for use, make sports more assessable and the results will show. After all a single hockey field can produce a team of Olympians, a single badminton court can produce an All-England Champion and a single golf course can produce a Major winner!

Let's pump in that money in junior development and let those funds actually be used for the purpose they are meant for. Let's get better coaches, better nutrition and most importantly a better attitude towards sports in schools, colleges and homes.