A big controversy woke up as some of Indian tennis players opted out of the Incheon Asian Games 2014 for improving on their personal rankings. Indian tennis stars like Leander Paes, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna have opted out of the Asian games following their interest in improving their ATP rankings.
Actually it was Sania Mirza who first mentioned about skipping the Asian games, followed by other players. But as the media took the issue in a serious note, Sania, turned over the plate as she made available for India in the Asian games quoting that " Nation comes first" for her. Its good to here that from a sporting icon. Isn't it????
But, it was the other way around as India's all time great Tennis Legend Leander Paes said that he wanted to improve his ATP rankings instead of representing the nation. Paes made an I quote "This is my bread and butter and at the end of the day my ranking has dropped to 35 in the world. Hence I have to get some job security for next year. I have to play a long fall season, through Kuala Lumpur as well as Tokyo, these two tournaments are the exact dates in the nine-day span of the events in Asian Games" Its sounds a bit odd from such a great ambassador of Indian tennis. But, for me we can't question his patriotism as he has carried the Indian tennis successfully forward for more than 24 years.
The main cause of concern is that youngsters like Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman should have taken a bit more wiser decision in a sense that these tournaments won't come too often and getting a medal for the nation should be the atmost priority for a sportsman. But they have defended their stand sayingsaying an i quote "It had nothing to do with representing the country or not. Whenever we have been called, we have represented the flag. It is just unfortunate."
As tennis players had their piece of controversy, its really unpardonable on the part of the BCCI not to free their players to participate in the Asian games, as a gold medal would have been on the cards if they did so. They could have atleast sent their B team players and would still hold a chance for a gold.
But, the heartening part of it is that no one has ever made a strong say against the mighty BCCI. So, did the power and money of BCCI helped them slip through the hands of so called "Media" who literally fell over the tennis stars like a tiger that catches its pray????
Hard to digest the reality going around, but personally I feel a sportsman's real dream would be to represent his/her nation. Personal rewards are good but it should only come second to the ultimate thing. Hope all of them realize it and make the future steps in the right way that makes our nation proud.
"Jai Hind!!"
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