I read the sports pages after glancing at the headlines on page one. I follow some of the games such as cricket, football and athletics.
We Indians love our cricket, and why not. We are one of the top teams in the world. The recent Twenty20 World Championship has given an extra boost to the game.
I have met a few cricketers. Let us put an end to the talk of this game getting more privileges and cricketers being worshiped. The sport is where it is because of what they have achieved.
Other sports also get their due credit in their own way, e.g. hockey, football and to some extent athletics.
But the irony is that we are not doing well in these sports when it comes to international championships.
However, off late we have done well in hockey and football, winning the Asia Cup and the Nehru Cup respectively.
I have been following cricket especially the one day games. I try not to miss out on any of the action.
I think Australia is the best team in cricket at the moment. There is a lot one can learn from these Australians. Their body language and approach towards the game is amazing.
It hurts when we hear bad things about the sportsman/woman and when it comes to drug abuse.
In particular, the recent incident of Marion Jones admitting that she used banned drugs while winning Gold medals at the Olympics.
At one point, I was fascinated by her story — a child born in to a middle class family who went on to win Olympics medals. So is case with Carl Lewis. He too comes from a poor family and is a class athlete.
I follow the English Premier League, and make it a point to watch the games especially when Arsenal or Chelsea play.
I was at the Wembley last year for the Manchester City versus Arsenal match. It’s a different atmosphere out there.
There are very few people like me just to come and watch the match. Most of them are supporters of respective teams.
It’s amazing to see them both in agony and ecstasy. They weep when the teams loses and celebrate when they win.
Besides watching sport, to keep fit, I do a bit of work out in the gymnasium and walk a lot.
—As told to Joe Williams
