An Olympic Faux Pas

The month of August this year saw the unfolding of the spectacular Olympic Games at Beijing. Michael Phelps of the United States, alone, bagged 8 gold medals adding to their total tally of 110 medals. A staggering monolith when compared to India's meager tally of 3 medals. Why such a stark contrast?
Abhinav Bindra produced a phenomenal performance on his way to a Gold in the Men's 10m Air Rifle event. Sushil Kumar rallied superbly to win the Bronze in the Men's 66kg Freestyle Wrestling. Vijender Kumar fought valiantly against a more adept Cuban opponent in the Semifinals of the Men's Middle Weight Boxing, losing by just 5-8. Another Bronze to our tally. Without sufficient sponsorships or assistance from the sporting authorities of the country, their achievements are nothing short of remarkable. All the money in our country today is filtered off to the game of cricket. A game plagued by rampant inconsistencies of arrogant individuals. The sport has reached the apogee of chagrin to our nation.
Hockey, a game which won India 8 gold medals in the Olympics, has fallen by the wayside. The team failed to qualify for the Games this year. The authorities are insouciant to the stygian anathema that veils our national sport. Why?
Another disappointment, though expected, was the dismal performance of India's tennis contingent. The over-hyped Sania Mirza and "veteran" duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were a vapid, piteous visage. I must not cavil, but am unable to resist myself from wondering how Nasima Mirza (Sania's mother), who has probably never held a tennis racquet in her life, save to admire her daughter's, was made an official of the squad!
From within these acrimonious failures the likes of Abhinav Bindra, Sushil Kumar, Saina Nehwal, Vijender Kumar, Akhil Kumar came through to assuage our shame. But what can these exemplar athletes look forward to? An inconspicuous existence interrupted by ephemeral moments of sporting glory and media attention? And then an ignominious retreat to anonymity?
I end my rantings with the unforgettable resonating words of Sushil Kumar: "Desh ke liye pasina bahaye; accha laga. Magar khun bahate, toh aur bhi accha lagta..."