Page 36 - Seniors Today Magazine April 2024
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Rahim took football to great heights in the like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang
country; Maidaan is focused on a climactic Punia, Sangeeta Phogat. (The story of the
gold medal win, but an end card also Phogat sisters was immortalized in Nitesh
regretfully reveals that Indian footballer Tiwari’s 2016 film Dangal in which Aamir
never qualified for the Olympics again, Khan played their father and coach.)
and, as football player Fortunato Franco Cricketing stars earn in crores, get
is quoted as having said about Rahim, lucrative endorsement deals, and stay
“With him, he took Indian football to the in five-star luxury. Players from other
grave.” Football did not managed to reach sports have to stay in school halls and
the level of popularity cricket did, and manage with unpalatable food and filthy
money always follows fame. bathrooms. It has been pointed out
Some of the issues that Maidaan brings that Indian squads that travel abroad
up still remain. Indian players train and are invariably accompanied by large
win despite lack of facilities and official contingents of bureaucrats and politicians.
apathy. The recent protest by Indian As Rahim tells Desai when he talks of lack
wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan of funds, drop all the officials who are
Singh for sexual harassment of female going to Jakarta.
athletes during his tenure as president of Despite the obvious hurdles, India’s
the Wrestling Federation of India, was medal tally at international tournaments is
given so much media attention, because rising. Filmmakers have more material for
the protestors included wrestling stars biopics being served to them on a platter.
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