This is my first blog post. Wish me all the best :)
It's been 6+ years in this industry, honestly i would say, Scope given for this sport in India is very minimum. Bike racing is a sport that is still considered to be low priority. I agree it is a costly game, you will not find sponsers like Sahara, Airtel, Reliance and many other biggies venturing into sponsership of this sport. I often wonder is it because we lack talent? Or is it because of lack of awareness. I remember my Dad and Mom strictly saying NO to participate in Bike Racing events when they got to know i was involved in it. Bike Racing is not a safe sport, remember you playing with man-made machines. A small mistake can cost you a lot.
Thanks to all those likeminded people who had similar interests and got together to conduct events in our city. I still remember MRF did support the game for few years.
Having see many people who got into this sport and later giving it up makes me think of this sport as being expensive and not very safe. True, the efforts involved in getting into a professional level of racing is many. I recall those days when all the pocket money that i used to receive was spent on bike modifications, endless visits to garages, entry fees for events etc. -
United States of America which is known as the land of opportunities has immense respect and great fan following for this sport. People are crazy about this sport and i have seen guys in the age group of 16 years participating in racing events. Well it could be a different mind-set over there, may be parents allow their children to be what they want to be and not force things upon them ( luckily things are changing for us as well, parents are now more encouraging) , what surprises me is fan following for the racing events conducted abroad and the support from different sponserers. Well me may not have the same talent, but i feel we are nowwhere less. We can still compete if we get the required exposure.
Well here is what i think needs to happen for promoting this sport.
1) There has to be a recognised forum or a community created.
2) Invite likeminded people to share ideas on how the sport can be developed and encouraged.
3) Government Support - I completely understand it is difficulty, but it is not impossible ;)
4) Professionals who have been in the sport should be called in to train and motivate youngsters. I agree it is not a safe sport, however if properly trained and educated it can be taken as a profession.
5) Look for interested sponserers.
6) Develop a dedicated facility for training and practice and many more i think, list can go on and on..
Well at this stage i wish all these come true. Secondly i hope the King of Good Times our own Bangalore lad " Dr Vijay Malya" recognizes this sport and chips in as a sponserer, well trust me the sport will reach its height - LOL
May be i am day dreaming. Let me know your thoughts.
Regards,
HKP
