Rajesh Dhar
rajeshkhannadhar26@gmail.com
Sports was once hailed as the purest expression of human grit, passion, and teamwork. It was an arena where raw emotion met discipline – where the roar of the crowd celebrated not personal vanity but the triumph of spirit. Today, however, the landscape of modern sports is witnessing a subtle yet disturbing transformation. The focus has gradually shifted from playing with heart to performing for the camera.
In the era of social media and instant recognition, athletes are no longer judged solely by their performance on the field but by the vibrancy of their online personas. It appears that for many, the ‘dhol’ and ‘dhamaka’ – the loud celebrations, the designer gear, and the curated posts – have taken precedence over devotion to the game itself. Sporting excellence now runs parallel with branding strategies, sponsorships, and influencer-style promotions. What once demanded relentless dedication, humility, and sportsmanship is now overshadowed by the pursuit of fame. Every victory is packaged into content; every defeat, a marketing opportunity. The jersey, once worn with pride for the team, is increasingly a billboard for personal identity.
The greatest tragedy lies in the erosion of authenticity. Passion and perseverance are being replaced by optics and self-promotion. Athletes who remain true to the essence of their sport often find themselves sidelined in the glare of those who play better to the gallery than to the spirit of competition. The purity of the game is being traded for reels, followers, and viral moments.
People who scarcely understand the basics of sports and games often pose as know-it-alls. With their so-called vibrant Instagram and Facebook reels and overly dramatic videos, they attempt to charm the sports administrators at the helm of affairs. In doing so, they become stumbling blocks to genuine talent and sound the death knell for the true spirit of sports. In this unfortunate scenario, zeros are turned into heroes, while the real promoters and achievers are pushed to the back seat.
It is high time to remind ourselves that sportsmanship is not about propaganda; it is about purpose. True athletes inspire not because of their branding, but because of their integrity, hard work, and unwavering respect for the game. The soul of sports lies not in the applause, but in the quiet discipline behind the scenes – in the sweat, the setbacks, and the spirit that refuses to surrender.
As we celebrate our modern-day heroes, let us urge them to remember that personal fame is fleeting, but the spirit of the game is eternal. For when branding outshines brilliance, sports loses more than just its sparkle – it loses its soul.
To safeguard the integrity and ensure the sustainable growth of sports in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, it is crucial that the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Minister, the Sports Minister, the Chief Secretary, the Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, the Director General Youth Services and Sports, Secretary J&K Sports Council take earnest and immediate cognizance of the prevailing situation in the sports sector. Increasingly, superficial interests appear to be undermining the values of professionalism, meritocracy, and fair play. It is therefore essential that decisive and transparent measures be adopted to restore confidence, nurture genuine talent, and preserve the true spirit of sportsmanship across the Union Territory.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
