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By: Ravi Adhikari
The Olympic – a kind of – came a little early in San Francisco, which was the site of the 42nd International Children's Games. On July 11, 1200 kid athletes ages 12-15, representing 84 cities of the world thronged Kezar Stadium for colorful inaugural ceremony.
From South Asian nations, New Delhi, Vadodara (Baroda) and Lahore had their delegation to the games, which included tennis, golf, soccer, volleyball, swimming, track and field, table tennis and basketball.
Endorsed by the International Olympic Committee and designed to promote peace and friendship around the world through sports, the event is dubbed as mini-Olympics.
The event was held between July 10 and 14 with competition at Golden Gate Park, USF, Kezar Stadium and Pavilion and Harding Park.
There were, however, a very few mention-worthy performance by the desi teams. Babar Ali of Lahore won Silver medal in Boys Long Jump. In Girl’s Golf tournament Gauri Monga and Kasvi Malik of New Dehli were able to go preliminary round. The same was the fate of another golfer from New Delhi, Arjun Monga.
Adorned in Cream and Black jodhpuris, the teams from New Delhi and Baroda, however, won the hearts of people from around the world. Participants from Scotland, China, Hong Kong and Ireland were seen jostling to get photographed with Indian teams. Mark, an Irish player said he was surprised to find out that the color of Irish and Indian flags – green, orange and white – match.
“More than winning and losing, this event is about giving children an exposure in international level at very early age,” Himanshu Chaturvedi, the chief official of New Delhi, told this reporter during interview at Kezar Stadium. “We admire the kids and their parents who self-financed their trip.”
Chaturvedi was of opinion that Indian government needs to do urgently in order to encourage the child athletes. His views were directed toward financial support to the participants.
“It’s pitiful that this game has already been held more than 42 times around the world, the Indian government doesn’t want to know about it, Shiv Kumar Sen, the head delegate of Baroda, expressed his dissent. “For our government, there is only one sport team that is cricket, and the fact is they have not won any significant tournament in recent memory.”
If one forgets about the performance of desi teams in this event, one thing can se said with surety – the kids were having heck of a time. Close to the main stage, two members of Lahore team drew attention of the crowd with their folk swirl-dance, following the beat of English pop music.
Aayush Patel, 12, probably the youngest athlete from Baroda, was seen alone doing something near the ‘Olympic’ torch. He was, indeed, exchanging mementoes with his international colleagues.
“I’m British by birth, studying in Baroda and frequently come to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to visit my relatives,” the wonder boy mesmerized this writer with his level of confidence and people skills. “I like making new friends. That’s why I’m in San Francisco.”
The 43rd International Children's Games is scheduled in Scotland in 2011. The city of Lanarkshire won its bid to host the game in 2011.
The Olympic – a kind of – came a little early in San Francisco, which was the site of the 42nd International Children's Games. On July 11, 1200 kid athletes ages 12-15, representing 84 cities of the world thronged Kezar Stadium for colorful inaugural ceremony.
From South Asian nations, New Delhi, Vadodara (Baroda) and Lahore had their delegation to the games, which included tennis, golf, soccer, volleyball, swimming, track and field, table tennis and basketball.
Endorsed by the International Olympic Committee and designed to promote peace and friendship around the world through sports, the event is dubbed as mini-Olympics.
The event was held between July 10 and 14 with competition at Golden Gate Park, USF, Kezar Stadium and Pavilion and Harding Park.
There were, however, a very few mention-worthy performance by the desi teams. Babar Ali of Lahore won Silver medal in Boys Long Jump. In Girl’s Golf tournament Gauri Monga and Kasvi Malik of New Dehli were able to go preliminary round. The same was the fate of another golfer from New Delhi, Arjun Monga.
Adorned in Cream and Black jodhpuris, the teams from New Delhi and Baroda, however, won the hearts of people from around the world. Participants from Scotland, China, Hong Kong and Ireland were seen jostling to get photographed with Indian teams. Mark, an Irish player said he was surprised to find out that the color of Irish and Indian flags – green, orange and white – match.
“More than winning and losing, this event is about giving children an exposure in international level at very early age,” Himanshu Chaturvedi, the chief official of New Delhi, told this reporter during interview at Kezar Stadium. “We admire the kids and their parents who self-financed their trip.”
Chaturvedi was of opinion that Indian government needs to do urgently in order to encourage the child athletes. His views were directed toward financial support to the participants.
“It’s pitiful that this game has already been held more than 42 times around the world, the Indian government doesn’t want to know about it, Shiv Kumar Sen, the head delegate of Baroda, expressed his dissent. “For our government, there is only one sport team that is cricket, and the fact is they have not won any significant tournament in recent memory.”
If one forgets about the performance of desi teams in this event, one thing can se said with surety – the kids were having heck of a time. Close to the main stage, two members of Lahore team drew attention of the crowd with their folk swirl-dance, following the beat of English pop music.
Aayush Patel, 12, probably the youngest athlete from Baroda, was seen alone doing something near the ‘Olympic’ torch. He was, indeed, exchanging mementoes with his international colleagues.
“I’m British by birth, studying in Baroda and frequently come to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to visit my relatives,” the wonder boy mesmerized this writer with his level of confidence and people skills. “I like making new friends. That’s why I’m in San Francisco.”
The 43rd International Children's Games is scheduled in Scotland in 2011. The city of Lanarkshire won its bid to host the game in 2011.
(Published in The Indian Express)
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