Bindra’s medal should start introspection: Sonia Gandhi

Abhinav Bindra's gold medal should initiate introspection as to why India remains a sporting minnow, said Sonia Gandhi.

Abhinav Bindra’s gold medal may have triggered euphoria but it should also initiate introspection as to why India remains a sporting minnow at the Olympic level, said Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The AICC President said Bindra’s feat, which fetched India its first individual Olympic gold, was a “wonderful achievement” but wondered why India, despite its growing economy and international stature, remained less successful in the realm of sports.

“… this one gold medal must also make us introspect as to why India, a country that has today successfully taken its place in the comity of nations as a democratic and secular republic, is still handicapped at his level,” she wrote in the August edition of the Congress Sandesh.

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The Congress chief, who attended the opening ceremony in Beijing and interacted with the Indian athletes in the Olympic Village there, also hailed the performance of the boxers, shuttlers and wrestlers.

“Sports victories give India pride in its composite culture and goes a long way in nation building,” she said.

“We must encourage sports through sponsorships by the private sector and through efficient provision of infrastructure and training facilities by the State,” she added.