It was a glittering night with sportspersons from all disciplines being honoured.
It was a glittering night with sportspersons from all disciplines being honoured. However, while boxing, wrestling, badminton, shooting, hockey and even archery found a place, the track and field events missed out on any representation. The Sahara Indian Sports Awards were announced at a colourful event where Bollywood stars rubbed shoulders with sportspersons to put up a grand show.
Former sprint queen Ashwini Nachappa was pained that there was not a single nomination from athletics.
"It is really sad. When (PT) Usha and me competed, we had a whole lot of athletes who were right up there.
So, there was always tight competition," Nachappa, who now works as an educationist and a social worker, told MiD DAY on the sidelines of the awards ceremony.
"But of late," she added, "There has been a lull. Perhaps this is not being highlighted or no one has taken note that there aren't enough athletes around. I don't know. But the fact is the problem is not being addressed satisfactorily.
"The officials are not doing enough to promote the sport. They have to do a lot more in terms of marketing the sport and ensuring the well being of athletes."
Speaking about the growing influence of sports other than cricket in the country, Nachappa said she believes the advent of academies and the belief of passionate people have borne fruit.
"A lot of people have funded academies and put in order a fair amount of infrastructure. It's good but still a lot needs to be done," Nachappa said.
