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| SPORTS & WELLNESS |
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Charging ahead for change
Toning truths |
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Sportspersons spell out the challenges they face in 2011 and the changes they want to see. Amit Khanna finds out Catch them young The coming year is going to be one of the most crucial years for us as it comes after the success of both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. With the Olympics just a year away, we now have the chance to build on the momentum, which we is on our side now after the best ever medal hauls at Delhi and Guangzhou. We have shown that we are not short on talent and determination in any way. The challenge now will be to train even better and keep ourselves physically and mentally ready for the challenges ahead of us. For an individual sportsperson the challenges come from within. The targets you set for yourself at the start of a year are the ones which egg you on. For me, the greatest challenge I face in 2011 is to better my performance every time I take to court and that should result in the medals for the nation. Change 2011: As for the changes I wish to see in the future as far as the sports management is concerned in our country, we can make a start by introducing a compulsory sports programme in our schools. Youngsters should be allowed to take one sport they feel interested in playing. That’s what other countries are following since long and they are reaping in the benefits. Moreover, the private players can be given incentives to look towards sports as a profitable venture. Hope the New Year is full of many more nice surprises.
Improve infrastructure The previous year has been a dream run for our sportspersons and has set the tone for the coming years and we can expect many more feats in badminton, tennis and athletics, to name a few games. There are going to be challenges galore as we are now going to be competing with the best in the trade. Our recent performances have been in our own backyard, but if we nurture any hope of realising our Olympic aspirations, we will have to prove ourselves on every stage we compete in and that is going to be the toughest thing. We have earned the reputation of being among the best in many disciplines with sheer hard work and dedication and we now have the responsibility of building upon the benefits we secured from the Asian and the Commonwealth Games. But there should be no doubt in anybody’s mind and we are very much capable of repeating what we have just achieved. Challenge 2011: All we need is some things to change. First of all, the infrastructure can still improve many notches. We have got many new things with the Asian Games coming to Delhi again. That should be maintained and taken care of and our organisations need money for their upkeep. Here is where governments can come in and pump in more money into the system. The attitude towards the sportspersons has changed for the better and that is a great feeling. Security must for sportspersons It is no secret today that the way a country treats its sportspersons goes a long way in forming its image worldwide and it has been a sad affair that we have not been able to manage our sports people well. The western countries have outplayed us in this aspect also. However, there are some heartening signs. Things have improved after our athletes showed what they are capable of doing last year. The best-ever performances showcased a latent talent and the urge to succeed in spite of any odds. What I wish to happen in 2011 is that the attitude towards sports should change now as it is high time. I remember how I was treated when I took to wrestling. Our father had to bear the brunt as he was almost ostracised for ‘pushing’ his daughters into a male sport. Change 2011: That is what I want to change. After I won at the Delhi Games, perceptions started to change, but still a lot remains to be done. We will be able to produce world-class champions only when we give them the security and treat them with respect. That is the biggest challenge in front of us. The authorities can take it up seriously and take measures to rectify this. I wish the New Year brings many happy moments for our hard-working athletes both on and off the field.
Nurture talent There has been a sea change in the way sports as a discipline was being managed in the country before and after the Delhi Games and that is heartening. The Asian Games in China were our litmus test as we had to prove that what we had achieved at Delhi was not by chance and we were serious contenders for medals in many disciplines now. That we have been successful in knocking at the doors of the government officials and sponsors to emphasise on them that investing in sports is a profitable engagement has been our biggest success. As far as the challenges ahead, let me tell you that it is not going to be easy and proving us right by winning the international events abroad is going to be the toughest part. Change 2011: The facilities in our country leave much to be desired and though things have improved manifold, still there is a lot of scope. The right emphasis on the nurturing of talent from school level can work wonders. The western countries have been following the mantra of ‘catching them young’ and the results are there for everyone to see. Sports as a culture needs to be propagated and that can happen when the players need not worry about other material things and can only concentrate on their game. If we can start working towards ensuring financial security to our players, it will be a big step towards transforming India into a sports destination in 2011. Hope the New Year brings many more proud moments for the country. |
Sweating it out in the gym by doing those painful sit-ups for a six-pack? Well, it may not work out, say experts. Among the many popular misconceptions about how to slim down or tone you body, Gillian Reeves, a fitness expert, has revealed some of the most common myths about exercise, reports the Daily Mail. MYTH: Sit-ups are the best way to a flat tummy. REALITY:
Firstly, lots of sit-ups or crunches alone won’t tone a flabby belly, you need to combine any exercise with an overall weight-loss
programme: eat a balanced diet and take regular varied exercise. Sit-ups target the most superficial ‘six-pack’ core muscles, but too many of these will cause the tummy to bulge out, leading to a pot belly. If you perform a dynamic movement such as a walking lunge while rotating the top half of your body at the same time, you target all the abdominal muscles as well as other large muscle groups that burn more calories and body fat-it is these kinds of moves that will help give you the tummy of your dreams. MYTH:
Reading will keep you entertained while you are doing a workout. REALITY:
You may be entertained but doing this will ruin your posture, increasing the potential for injury, and will also probably distract you from working as hard as you need to. Rather than reading, listen to some music or watch a television screen. MYTH:
Weights are just for bodybuilders.
REALITY: Weights area of a gym may be a little intimidating but muscular strength and endurance are incredibly important for women too to keep the bones and joints strong. Use weights that you can easily lift 15 to 20 times before starting to feel exhausted. This will tone and strengthen without building bulk. MYTH: If one goes running three times a week for an hour, and that means one must be fit. REALITY:
If you run three times a week, your body will be fit for running. This does not mean you will be able to jump into any other activity.
Your cardiovascular system will be strong but it is recommended that some kind of weight-bearing exercise is performed two to three times a week. MYTH: The longer and harder my exercise sessions are, the more weight I will lose. REALITY: If you exercise hard for a long time, the body starts producing excessive amounts of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which begin to break down muscle tissue. It is very important that after you exercise intensely you rest your body for at least a day and eat well to aid recovery. High-intensity exercise is good for heart health, but not effective for fat loss. MYTH: Doing stretches after exercise is pointless. REALITY: Stretching at the end of a workout session is beneficial as it returns the muscles back to the pre-exercise length. This prevents them from shortening over time. — ANI |
