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SAW-Bhag - Suman Chopra Suman Chopra, is well known to Sawf readers for her no nonsense moderate view. Wife of a senior Air Force Officer currently based in Moscow, Suman periodically steals time from her family and social responsibilities to enrich the Sawf columns with her views.

For over a fortnight all the eyes were glued 'Down Under' witnessing one of the greatest sporting spectacles ever. 191 countries participated, with each one vying to dig deeper into the ever-expanding gold mine. The combined effort of one fourth of the mankind residing in South Asia could fetch only two small pieces of a lesser metal - bronze. This little 'swabhagya' was also courtesy the very personal effort of two very determined women, Karnam Malleshwari and Susanthika Jayasinghe. Both of who had to literally fight their way into the squad. In the last three decades South Asian women have overshadowed their male counterparts in the sporting arena. Whether they were the golden girls from Kerala or their colleagues from across the Palk Strait, the women have been our only hope for breasting the tape. This brings me to urging the South Asian Women (SAW)-(BHAG) to run, ever faster forward.

For over half a century we have talked of lack of Governmental direction, poor funding, politics in sports bodies, lack of infrastructure, and lack of career opportunities. Undoubtedly, all that is true. But the community and we as individuals have to share equal blame. How many of us are pushing our children out of the house every evening to engage in an outdoor activity, not so much to win medals but at least to get some fresh air and acquire a healthy body. How do we answer for the dozens of sports fields in each Asian town idling without anyone ever stepping into them, and their becoming dis/misused over the years? Is the 600 odd million strong South Asian middle class incapable of affording a football and a pair of boots, or a volleyball and a net, or table tennis ball and bats when they can spend Rs 1,500 for a movie outing for the family? Okay we cannot afford a sailboat or a canoe, but what about wrestling, running or walking. The world's largest operator of Bicycles cannot even have a cycling team.

Should we hide behind the statistical fact that very few medals are won by countries straddling the equator, even though some of the finest runners are from Kenya and Nigeria, and that ex-Africans dominate the entire athletics lineup, albeit now representing the affluent west. Are the Chinese, Japanese and the Australians not Asians? Do we need to make excuses?

The South Asian women do have hurdles to cross other than the ones on the racetrack. The traditional role of the women in the society puts restrictions on her going out. The baggy dresses generally worn are not appropriate for sports and the society outlook makes them hesitant to switch to the body baring athletic gear. Even educated well off parents do not encourage outdoor activities for their daughters. The risk of injury and the possible negative cosmetic implications bothers many a mothers, especially those whose sole aim in life is to prepare the girl for winning the ultimate medal, a good groom. PT Usha was not a beauty queen yet tens of thousands would have wanted to marry her.

Time has come to act. Ask not what the country can do for sport but what you can do for your child. A healthy mind must reside in a healthy body. Today there is both money and glory in sports, not just in cricket. Look at Indian golf, chess, billiards, snooker, and tennis. All have decent money. If a private company can dole out a Crore in a TV show, surely there is no dearth of free money.

The South Asian mothers have a crucial role and have to take the lead. Change the mindset. Push your children out of the house every evening into the play field. Don't let your girl go through the mundane youth you lived. Use the verbal Olympics at the kitty party to build awareness and make encouraging sports in the community a challenge. Make Kho-Kho or an equivalent game mandatory at such gatherings. The day just 100 million South Asians hit the play fields; you will be sitting on a goldmine. Let us produce a Marion Jones.
Therefore, SAW-BHAG.

Till we connect again...

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