Kerala athletes: If you are a budding athlete, better look for opportunities anywhere in India but Kerala! Despite being the most literate state in India, Kerala has literally no respect for its champions, thanks to which HS Prannoy has been compelled to leave the state for better avenues in Tamil Nadu.
India’s top-ranked men’s singles shuttler, HS Prannoy, has shifted his home base from Kerala to Tamil Nadu. The 31-year-old recently had a very successful Asian Games 2023 campaign, winning two medals – silver in the men’s team event and bronze in men’s singles, only the 2nd Indian individual to do so after Syed Modi in 1986. Soon after this historic achievement, the announcement was made with regards to shifting allegiance.
As reported by onmanorama, HS Prannoy said, “I have always taken great pride in representing Kerala. I can no longer put up with the poor treatment meted out to me by the sports fraternity in the state.”
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This decision is shocking, considering that HS Prannoy is one of the rare few Indians to win a medal in every possible arena, including the Youth Olympics, The World Championships, Asian Games, and even the Thomas Cup, where India made history in 2022 by lifting the coveted championship for the first time!
However, HS Prannoy is not the only one to have been forced to think so. Kerala has a history of ignoring the best of their crop, be it PT Usha or Anju Bobby George, who had to set up their bases beyond Kerala. Even PR Sreejesh, the man who ended the four-decade-old medal drought for India with his incredible saves in field hockey at the Tokyo Olympics, was never properly rewarded for his achievements.
Kerala, the supposed paradise for education, literacy, and culture, is failing miserably when it comes to recognizing and nurturing its sporting talents. Instead of being a nurturing hub for athletes, it has become a land of lost opportunities and unfulfilled potential.
HS Prannoy’s decision to shift his base from Kerala to Tamil Nadu should serve as a stark wake-up call for the state’s sports authorities. It is an alarming testament to the lack of support and recognition that athletes receive in Kerala, despite their incredible achievements on the national and international stages.
Kerala boasts of a high literacy rate, but what good is education when it fails to foster an environment where athletes can flourish and receive the respect they rightfully deserve?
The situation is dire, and its high time for Kerala to introspect and revamp its approach to sports. The state should take inspiration from successful models in other parts of India, like Haryana, which has emerged as a sports powerhouse, or even Uttar Pradesh for that matter, thanks to its robust support system for athletes.
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HS Prannoy’s decision to shift his base to Tamil Nadu is a glaring example of the consequences of neglecting athletes. The onus is on Kerala to create an environment that nurtures and celebrates its champions, rather than forcing them to look elsewhere for the respect and opportunities they’ve rightfully earned. It’s time for a change in Kerala’s sports culture – a change that puts athletes at the forefront and finally recognizes their hard work, dedication, and achievements.
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