This should have been the meaning of the current Indian Premiere league in India. When one looks at the amount of money invested in this league, one is saddened by this spectacle. This league is the symbol for the inequalities through which India is going through. But, i guess, since it is entertainment and glamor, it will be sidetracked like a lot of other issues.
The power of entertainment and glamor is evident here. Since, media's obsession with celebrities combines quiet well with people's own intrinsic gossip demands, the premier league fits their demand perfectly. For people not knowing what the IPL is, it is a cricket event formatted on the lines of football's English premiere league. Players from all over the world have been drafted for this league, promoting Cricket's new format, 20-20.
On the other hand, we have a sport like Hockey that has won us accolades abroad. I will admit that i have seen very few matches of hockey, but having read its history and its dominance, i cannot stand this slow and unnoticed death of this sport. If 6 crores can be invested in one player, why cant that same amount go into rebuilding and re modifying the infrastructure of hockey? If something is invested in one sport, then something should be invested in the other. This is the real motto of healthy capitalist competition.
But, the unfortunate thing here is, one sport is being invested in heavily, leading to the other getting killed off. Hockey is not followed by the youth, and attempts by broadcasters have led to minimum appeal and lack of sponsors. If someone does sponsor it, they suffer losses. The end result of all that has been no competitive league to encourage youngsters, no up gradation of infrastructure and not qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.
Unfair practices are shunned by ordinary people in their lives, but the generation today is unaware of the unfairness that is happening right in front of their eyes. The rich-poor divide is evident. But, in order to shun value judgment and fairness, i can add is the short time of the event. Can the media highlight the plight of the other sports on a regular basis? If this event lasts for 60 days, can the media show reports of how other sports are suffering in India?
Entertainment has always been important, but not at the cost of competition. The IPL vs Hockey is like a Goliath against nobody. It will take a lot for hockey to be David, but the unfortunate thing is it will still loose out.
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