I am no military expert, and will never claim to be one, unlike some of our television anchors who have portrayed themselves as clowns in the last few days. It was as if they knew more than government, more than the army and more than anyone in the official domain. They decided how India should act and charted the way forward. In sum, they were a pain.
And may I say, I unequivocally welcome the ceasefire. Yes, there was news of violations, as confirmed by the government of India, but with the international community watching closely, there is every reason to believe they will all clamp down on Pakistan if the understanding isn’t adhered to.
As a sports scholar, I’d be desperate for stability. India is a budding superpower and a frontrunner to host the 2036 Olympics. If the Olympics circles are to be believed, India does have a chance and a serious one at that. The decision will happen a year from now and the next 12 months are critical. India will need to come up with a robust bid and also showcase its potential to host the world. While there is no doubting our ability, uncertainty across the border and instability all around could indeed be a problem. Thousands and thousands of crores are spent on a potential Olympic bid, and you don’t want it to get jeopardised.
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The Olympics are the best example of soft power and India will be the first country in the global south to host the mega spectacle if it happens. And needless to say, it isn’t a sports competition. In the wake of the games, urban development, sustainability, environmental projects, green energy, upgradation of existing facilities and infrastructure will all happen. You don’t want any of it to go waste. It is about creating a real legacy, something that Pakistan can never aspire to.
How prepared are we to mount a strong bid? At the moment, India is certainly in the reckoning. Are we ready yet? Maybe not. But it is also true that we are indeed capable of getting ready if things all work to plan. That’s where the ceasefire comes in. For a country with global ambitions and one that is on a growth fast-track, you don’t want a rogue state from across the border to create hurdles.
So what’s the way forward for Indian Olympic sport? The first thing is I’d like to see is a resumption of the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. If the IPL can resume in a week from now as is being said, there is no reason why the javelin competition can’t happen on May 25 as was originally planned. Chopra is expected to be a part of the Doha Diamond League next week and every Indian sports fan is waiting to see him compete again. The Neeraj Chopra Classic, which includes the world’s foremost javelin throwers, is expected to arouse major interest in the sport and that’s why its organisation should be made a priority.
In sum, a ceasefire is welcome. India, for the record, never wanted a war in the first place.
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