The real Goldman

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The real Goldman

 A 13 year boy named Neeraj, weighing more than 80 Kilos was taken by his uncle to sport stadium in Panipat in Haryana some ten to twelve years ago,  everybody around him did not even imagine this boy will one day will bring cheers to entire country and a gold medal. He was casually asked by trainer in the stadium if he was interested in throwing javelin and he said yes. Nobody knew that the moment was a start of making history. Same boy now Neeraj Chopra has won gold for India in Tokyo Olympics and the draught of gold medals in Athletics has ended after 121 years. In 1900, Norman Prichard, a British had won two golds in athletics but he won for British India. The real success story of Indian athletics has started now with the Neeraj Chopra’s magnificent manifestation of tremendous power of shoulders which brought for him and India the gold medal beating 12 competitors from countries like Germany, Pakistan and Czech. Neeraj Chopra was not known to more people in the country till yesterday and today his name has become household. This is the story of his success at Olympics and a sweetest fruit for his tremendous hard work done in years so far. After Neeraj won gold for India for which no one was expected, for the earlier moments, there was disbelief and then euphoria for entire nation. For the first time, in Olympics, Indian anthem was heard and this opportunity was provided by this man, Neeraj Chopra. No doubt, he has been bombarded with awards and praises. The occasion is so special for India that, from the president of India to prime minister and from industrialists to cricketers are not tiring of praising words of appreciation on him. Not only that, Neeraj is flooded with cash prizes and kind, for which he deserves hundred percent. This is first track and field gold medal in Olympics for India. His home state Haryana has showered prizes on Neeraj which is justifiable on every account. But the more advantage Neeraj’s golden success is that, the athletics will get boost in India. The sports which are running in poverty will be rich with resources now. This is inevitable and justifiable as well as more needed. Indian athletes do not get the proper facilities at sports complexes, let alone the facilities for individuals at home. Now the scenario will be changed. Many athletes are so poor and they come from a very tiny villages but on the sheer physical power they make history in big events. The list is endless. The athletes and players who have performed unprecedentedly in Tokyo Olympics are all from very meagre backgrounds and most of them are sons and daughters of farmers. They have not come from rich corporate background. Still they are bringing success for India. More young girls and boys will not turn to this athletic field and they will start to think that, only Cricket is not glamorous and rich in money. Other sports are equally attractive and fetching money if such huge success comes their way. Indian sports atmosphere has changed since India has brought seven medals including gold, silver and bronze in Tokyo Olympics. The media coverage has increased tremendously while in earlier days, news of Indian participation in Olympics was printed in a small corner in big newspapers. This is the sea changed that has been brought out by not only these seven players who won medal, but the unsung heroes who have come so close and yet so far away. One of the best examples is Indian Hockey women team which was considered as a dark horse. But they reached very near to medal. Another name should be taken of Aditi Ashok, the world champion golfer who also came so close to get the medal but missed by very narrow margin. India is full of heroes and our corporate sector should nurture them. The government has very limited resources but corporates have no such limit. Then there will be more Neeraj Chopras and Ravi Dahiyas and Bajrangs.