Sania / Narain/Rathore / Pankaj / Jeev / Next ?. Review on Future of India in Sports

We all love cricket. But we shall look beyond that. We shall check other sports where Indians have started doing well. I am going to highlight few such other sports personalities who are future of Indian sports.

1. Narain Karthikeyan

Though he is not participating in this year’s F1, he is a revolution in Indian sports. It is not easy to get qualified in F1. But he did it.

He joined F1 with Jordan but his ride turned out to be bumpy. He wasted for a new car. With new car his performance was better but unluckily he was not selected for 2006 season. He need not to worry, he will make his way to podium very soon. All our best wishes are with him.

Check one of his memorable moments at US F1 Grand Prix last year. Narain measured walk to the low-slung, canary yellow car was halted by a tap of his shoulder. The man called Michael wanted a word. "Have a good run, enjoy your self, " He was thrilled and he was one of the only 6 who had finished US race at Indianapolis.

2. Rajyavardhan Rathore

He is no 3 in world in his own category. He bagged Silver medal at Olympics. He won Gold medal at World championship at Cairo. What else you want? He is our own Rajyavardhan Rathore.

He is 34 year old army man. He has won the India's first ever Olympic silver medal in the double trap shooting event at Athens Olympics.

Words from Rathore - "Cricket is a very important game in India, I also like cricket. But my achievement should encourage youngsters to take up other disciplines like shooting." what do you think - Is it possible?

3. Sania Mirza

Better known as spice girl.. .. sorry sprit girl now a days !! She is a powerhouse. She has turned Indian Woman tennis upside down. Single handedly she has inspired thousands of children in India towards Tennis. This 20 year tennis sensation had started playing tennis at 6 year by keeping Steffi Graf as her Idol.

Achievements:

Sania won the Wimbledon Championships Girls' Doubles title in 2003 with Alisa Kleybanova of Russia.

In 2004 she won her first WTA tournament (Doubles Title) at her home town Hyderabad.

She got a wild card entry to the 2005 Australian Open and created history by becoming the first Indian woman to enter the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.

In 2005 she captured her first singles WTA title at Hyderabad open.

In 2005 Dubai Tennis Championships she beat reigning US Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2nd round.

Without a doubt she is India future in sports.

4. Pankaj Advani

In world of Glamour and spice how many people know Pankaj Advani. This 21 year boy is a latest snooker sensation from India. He is a professional snooker player. He started his career at age of mere 08 years. He won his state junior title at the age of 12 in 1997. Since then he has upset many brilliant players of Snooker and Billiard.

At age of 18, he has won his first world title. IBSF World Snooker Championship by defeating Mohammed Saleh of Pakistan. Geet Sethi, 7 time world champion has identified his talent and encouraged him in each way. Infact Pankaj has become youngest national champion at age of just 17 which was held by Geet Sethi who become champion at 20.

5. Jeev Milkha Singh

Playing world's richest game - Golf. Slowly but surely he made it to the elite group at world level. He is the son of the famous Indian Sikh athlete Milkha Singh (flying Sikh). Golf was never popular in India but this man has ventured his career in to Golf. He has made his own mark in Indian Golf.

Jeev is the first Indian golfer to become a member of the European Tour. He started playing Golf in late 80s. In early 90s he turned professional golfer. In 1993 he won his first professional at the Southern Oklahoma State Open. He has won as many as 6 championships including 3 Asian tour title. His latest win has come recently in 2006 Volvo China Open which is very prestigious. His strong performance has inspired many people in India.

Apart from above five, I am naming few also who has not put their mark on world map but certainly do something in near future.

1. Jeevan Nedunchezhiya (tennis star)

   
   




2. Pentyala Harikrishna (chess player)

   
   




3. Rithwik Bhattachrya (Squash player)

   
   




4. Nisha Millet (Swimmer)