Sport | Other Sports
Magic moment for India in Beijing
Indian expatriates in the UAE dared to dream again as shooter Abhinav Bindra won a gold medal for India in the Beijing 2008 Olympics last Monday. It was in the men's ten-metre air rifle event.
- By Vinti Laugani, Community Journalist
- Published: 23:22 August 11, 2008
Dubai: Indian expatriates in the UAE dared to dream again as shooter Abhinav Bindra won a gold medal for India in the Beijing 2008 Olympics on Monday. It was in the men's ten-metre air rifle event.
According to international agency Bloomberg News, it has been 108 years since an individual from India has won a gold medal. It has been a long time, indeed.
Dubai resident Anjoo Sharon called it "a golden moment in Indian sports history". She said: "It was a proud moment for all Indians, because for the first time an individual has won an Olympic gold Medal [for India]."
New direction
For a nation obsessed by its 'men in blue', Bindra had given it something new to celebrate.
Sharon said that it was "a refreshing change", because India is "all about cricket", but now there will be a new direction to pursue in sport.
Mir Faraz, an Ajman resident, said: "This is amazing, but it's about time. This means a lot to aspiring Indian athletes."
Ali Syed, based in Dubai, agreed. "Our athletes have finally proved themselves," he said, adding that he hopes to see another kind of change. As a country, we should encourage other sports and more athletics," he said.
Indians not only hope for change, but expect them as well. Arif Akhtar of Sharjah said: "This is the greatest thing I've ever heard and will surely be a great boost to sports. I'm definitely looking forward to more medals."
Although, one medal might not seem like a great cause for celebration, Indians still revel in pride over it.
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