'Indian sports not prepared for Common Wealth Games'

SPORTING FARCE: Authorities feel the problem is the lack of sporting culture in our country.

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New Delhi: Just about after a fortnight of the Beijing Olympics being over, other nations are already gearing up for greater sporting glory.

However, the members of the Indian contingent, it seems, have still not been able to come out of the Olympic hangover.

Vijender Kumar says, "Apart from boxing, I will certainly do some modelling."

While it is an athletes right to make the most of his trait, particularly in India where non-cricketing sport has suffered a lot, documents available with CNN IBN show that even for the upcoming Common Wealth Games, the country is far from prepared.

In athletics for instance, from 1998 to 2006, we have managed 5 medals, but in 2010 Common Wealth Games, the Sports authority is dreaming of 6 to 12 medals

In Boxing, where we won a gold in the previous edition, the estimated number of medals is 6 to 8

In Shooting, yet another sport where we have done well.in the pas, the expectation is 30 to 35 medals

A total of 79 to 107 medals are being expected from 2010 games.

While the expectations are increasing, the number of coaches is reducing. By Sports authority's own admission, there will be a shortfall of over a 1000 coaches.

The metro trains are changing the landscape of Delhi, air conditoned buses are adding the swanky touch to the capital and games villages are being made at various places. All to make the Common Wealth Games a memorable experience for visitors.

But what about the games themselves? Are we preparing to win medals or are we preparing to get kudos for our arrangements are the questions that Indian sports faternity need to ask themselves.

Former Executive Director, DK Mittal says, "The problem is that we don’t have a sporting culture in our country. We need to have a focused approach."

While there has been an intense debate on what should be the look of Indian cricket team for the next world cup, a similar serious approach is needed for other sports too.