Debasis Sen, Gros Islet: Indian captain Virat Kohli has come forward to support the Indian atheletes despite their poor show in Rio Olympics. He felt the country’s sportsmen need to given credit for putting their heart and soul while preparing for the Olympics.
“In an event like Olympics, we have to understand; firstly we need to look at how these athletes prepare. They give their heart and soul and for some people to just ignore what they do, I think it is very hurtful. We need to give credit,” Kohli said at the post match press conference after an emphatic win over West Indies.
Kohli, known for his aggressive style of play, said that even in cricket, nobody can perform in every game and win every series.
“These guys go and give 100 percent effort in what they do, we understand that. Some people don’t even have 10 percent of the facilities that sportsmen from other countries have. And then they sit and compare in our country,” he said
The star batsman also insisted that an athlete should not just be judged on the basis of the medals he wins, but on his performance and commitment
“They’re giving their 120 percent effort, and at the end of the day, that is what matters. Once someone wins a medal, that’s a big deal because we understand that we don’t have those kinds of facilities, but still these guys work as hard as anyone else in the world. They try and go and win a medal for us,” he said.
The 27-year-old cricketer also called on the Indian fans to stay positive with all the events that are left.
“Hats off to the guys who go there and compete and are there in the mix because it’s so hard with no preparation and facility, it’s so hard to be at that level. But still they go out there and give their heart and soul for the country and we should appreciate that.”
India, which has sent its largest-ever contingent of 119 athletes in Rio Olympics, is yet to open its medal account in the ongoing Summer Games.