The views of the various sports federations and the ministry have always differed, especially during these crucial months leading up to the Olympics. Ajay Maken, our sports minister, has confirmed that full support is being given to the athletes preparing for the biggest sporting event of the year. He confirmed to parliamentarians and the nation at large that Rs. 123.73 crores have been spent until now. However, the opinion of Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra is dissenting. Prof. Kumar, the acting president of the Indian Olympic association, claims that the ministry has been hell bent on passing a sports legislation and thus jeopardizing the Olympic preparations.

We prefer to believe that neither allegation has any consequence on the player of spirit. Indeed, with less than a month to go, our Indian athletes have claimed confidence, in all television interviews; consider the statement made by Manavjit Singh Sandhu, a trap shooter, “Now the entire contingent feels far more professional, my colleagues are training very hard...after 2004 when we (shooters) won the first Olympic medal for India and carried on with 2008, so that momentum build-up has been tremendous, and especially this time around, I really know that the entire country is looking at us, it is not just because it is the Olympics, it more like we are going there, we are going to win something for them. It is a fantastic feeling.” 

However, just a reminder to all readers; India has registered their biggest contingent for the July-August games. So, prepare yourselves for the cheer because your posts will certainly be heard by the entire nation if you leave a comment that is really heartfelt and encouraging to all our athletes.