The debate makes sense in the present scenario where the billions are relentlessly following each and every game of cricket where in only a handful turn out for spectacular hockey matches in our country.
Should our national game be not decided based upon the popularity of the sport among the masses??
Should it not be decided upon the number of enthusiastic citizens actually playing the sport, whether in streets, parks or grounds?
If we go by this criterion then surely cricket has an upper hand for being nominated as our national sport.
From commercial aspect of things, IPL is and will always be a much more money churning format than the IHL.
More sponsors, more media coverage, expensive Satellite rights, more prize money are a few factors which clearly hint out at cricket to be more popular and widely watched if not played sport in the country.
I feel now the question is, why is hockey our national sport?
A just and viable theory could be that at the time of deciding upon our national sport, hockey was far more ahead of cricket in terms of popularity, playability and of course offered better physical exercise than cricket.
Not to forget, the English brought cricket to India and hockey on the other hand was devised by Indians. We take pride in our findings and traditions and that emotional bonding with hockey will be everlasting in the minds of each and every Indian you will ever come across.
Moving forward with changing times and adapting to the present popularity among the citizens of our great nation, i would vote for cricket to be our national games.
Having said that, i would like to emphasize that the opinion cited is my personal and not motivated from any political, social or sports body.
I respect each and every individual's decision to choose their own national sport and that is why a national plebiscite would be the best way to decide, cricket or hockey as our national sport.
Should our national game be not decided based upon the popularity of the sport among the masses??
Should it not be decided upon the number of enthusiastic citizens actually playing the sport, whether in streets, parks or grounds?
If we go by this criterion then surely cricket has an upper hand for being nominated as our national sport.
From commercial aspect of things, IPL is and will always be a much more money churning format than the IHL.
More sponsors, more media coverage, expensive Satellite rights, more prize money are a few factors which clearly hint out at cricket to be more popular and widely watched if not played sport in the country.
I feel now the question is, why is hockey our national sport?
A just and viable theory could be that at the time of deciding upon our national sport, hockey was far more ahead of cricket in terms of popularity, playability and of course offered better physical exercise than cricket.
Not to forget, the English brought cricket to India and hockey on the other hand was devised by Indians. We take pride in our findings and traditions and that emotional bonding with hockey will be everlasting in the minds of each and every Indian you will ever come across.
Moving forward with changing times and adapting to the present popularity among the citizens of our great nation, i would vote for cricket to be our national games.
Having said that, i would like to emphasize that the opinion cited is my personal and not motivated from any political, social or sports body.
I respect each and every individual's decision to choose their own national sport and that is why a national plebiscite would be the best way to decide, cricket or hockey as our national sport.
