The fever is on

Countdown begins

It’s always a matter of pride when a sportsperson represents India at the global level and more so if they bring home a medal. As past records have proved, the nation has produced competent sports players at different levels and this year too is no different.

Youngsters are eagerly awaiting the Rio 2016 Olympic Games that will be held from August 5 and are hoping that star sportsplayers such as tennis player Sania Mirza, badminton champion Saina Nehwal and ace shooter Abhinav Bhindra put their best foot forward.
  
Hockey seems to have taken the spotlight this year. Sankrith K V, a professional baseball player, says, “I am looking forward to seeing how the Indian Hockey team will fare at the Rio Olympics. The team is full of youngsters and it will be exciting to watch them. The team also has a goalkeeper as the captain and it has been a long time since this has happened. In terms of other sports, I will surely bet on Saina Nehwal and the shortput player Inderjeet Singh.” Maitreyi, a professional, says that she watches the inauguration ceremony of the Olympics every year because of the colourful events and the dances and is excited to see what is in store from Rio this time. She adds, “It always gives me a high to see the Indian team marching on the ground. I am not really predicting anything but may the best team win.” 

Sunil Nanjappa, a professional mountain biker, also adds that he is expecting a great show by Indians.

Pinning his hopes high on the Hockey team, he describes the players as consistent. He is also looking forward for medals in boxing, wrestling and shooting.

He says, “India will definitely bring home more than 5 medals. Saina is a sureshot and Abhinav Bindra has to prove it again. I also have hopes on Deepika Kumari in archery. Last time, she was ranked as World no. 1 but missed the Olympic medal so I am looking forward to seeing her play now.”

Another reason why this year’s Olympics is special to many sports fans here is because the Olympic Association is sending the largest delegation till now. Shubham Roy, a professional, says, “It is a proud moment for India to be sending a large contingent to one of the most celebrated sporting arenas.”

 He is looking out for star players like Saina Nehwal, Abhinav Bindra and Sania Mirza as they have already made their entries in the medal book of Olympics.

“I expect them to put up a good performance. I think it is early to decide which country we should be afraid of in terms of competition as all the players representing their countries are well conditioned. Performing in Olympics does put pressure on any athlete so we hope that they give their best.”

Sunil adds, “I think it’s great that a large number of players are going to participate in Rio. They will understand the quality of sports played in Olympics. When they come back, they will know the kind of practice that is needed for the next game. They will also be able to guide youngsters.”