It is a tough question, a question that has not found a successful answer since we won the hockey gold in the Moscow Olympics (1980). Some even question the purity of that gold as it was a depleted field then in the wake of a boycott by America and some of its allies.

I am glad to have taken a step forward in winning the first individual silver medal for independent India in the Athens Olympics. It is only logical that people believe that I am better placed to find a solution and help my brethren pin that elusive Olympic gold.

However, the truth is that each one of us has the answer within us. What we lack is the collective will. Sport is not a priority for us. Forget sports, health is not a priority for us. Sporting excellence in the international arena, especially in the biggest sporting theatre of them all, the Olympics, is a reflection of a country's health. We compromise at every stage and excellence invariably eludes us on the biggest stage.

Every citizen who demands an Olympic gold should ask himself or herself whether he has played the role of a good spectator in the first place. When was the last time you actually went to watch sports? Life is far too hectic for us to spare some time for sports. By that, we miss the very essence of life. We don't realise that sports is not merely recreation, but a celebration of life.

How do we create heroes and icons unless we have the spectators? What is the motivation for sportspersons to excel, if the fields of intense competition look like training grounds without the vibrant atmosphere created by the presence of spectators? Money is not the best of motivators, though it guarantees a good life. For a sportsperson to sweat blood in training and give his best on the field, the appreciation of a nation is a suitable reward. Unless the public and the media recognise our talented sportspersons and goad them to excellence, it will be difficult for us to make the breakthrough.

I am a cricket fan myself, but I can clearly see that we as a nation are obsessed with this game. If we show the same passion towards the Olympic disciplines as we show towards watching cricket and the movies, there is absolutely no reason why we cannot win, not just one, but many Olympic gold medals.

We have the strength of the numbers. China has shown the world that having an overwhelming population is no impediment to growth and excellence, if you have the discipline and direction. So, we do have the talent, as quality comes out of quantity. Unfortunately, only a miniscule percentage of the population plays sports, and a much smaller percentage takes the next step towards achieving something on the international stage.

The government needs to support the cause. Our budget is not enough. And even the limited resources available are not well utilised. We should make it a point to back our best sportspersons to the hilt. If you spread resources evenly, you will only have average athletes. The higher you go, the tougher it gets. Identify your best and back them wholeheartedly. Half-hearted measures and half-baked attempts will not take us anywhere, surely not near an Olympic gold.

Unfortunately, there are too many internal challenges in front of our sportspersons and by the time they tackle everything and get ready to face the world, they are physically and mentally drained. We need to help our sportspersons focus on their game. We need to give them the best training and an assurance that their careers would be taken care of irrespective of what they eventually achieve. This alone would inspire many to 'risk' their career in pursuit of sporting excellence.

The corporate world is also waking up to the challenge, but somehow the intensity is lacking. There can be a healthy race between the corporates as to who would first get the Olympic gold for India, after each one adopts a sportsperson or a game. The key is not to treat the game as an adopted baby but nurture it with pride and joy.

The media has a huge role to play. It can easily build icons and make games popular. In doing so, it can attract the necessary support for these games, as the people who invest money would get adequate mileage.

Even as the media itself is obsessed with one game, as journalism itself, I am sorry to say, looks to have become more a vehicle for good business than anything else, the sports federations are not helping matters by making it difficult for the media to provide a meaningful coverage of anything other than cricket. There has to be a free flow of information and each federation needs to have a strong media division to ensure the game gets the best possible projection.

The federations and associations should not fear stars growing too big and take the game beyond their control. It is a shame that some federations treat their stars like villains. How do you inspire the young generation with such a treatment of the very best?

Quite luckily, a few television channels are showing interest in 'marketing' other games. The federations and the sportspersons themselves need to cooperate in these ventures, and not discourage, or worse, drive away such enthusiasts.

It is observed that when television reaches the semi-urban areas, it will have a dramatic impact on Indian sports. But the point is, even in the cities how much sports is watched at present? Just as we are enthusiastic about watching world class action (in a variety of sports) from around the globe in the comfort of our drawing room, we have to pay a lot of attention towards our own sports. Of course, local sports telecasts need to be packaged better, both in terms of the quality of content and presentation.

The Indian media has to make a conscious attempt to project Indian sports in a big way. After all, Indian sports is looking up. There are positive signs all around. It does not necessarily mean that you hype a few personalities and ignore the rest. Achievements and achievers, across the board, deserve a fair share of mindspace. If the media decides, it can make any game lively, never mind whether it is a spectator sport or not!

Even as we try to provide more scientific support and better nutrition to our sportspersons, who at times struggle to overcome the physiological and genetic shortcomings as compared to the better-built Europeans, Americans and Australians, Indian athletes and sportspeople should realise that the game at the highest level, is played more in the mind. We need to have self-belief. We need to believe that we can win, even before we actually do so.

Such a positive trait needs to be inculcated at a young age. If the schools and colleges take to sports on a war footing, we will not only have a healthy nation, but a nation of champions. We need to give our children more opportunities to become sports stars and not burden them with the task of a mere accumulation of tons of knowledge.

Sports plays a big part in personality development. It will help a genius be healthy and strong, rather than wear spectacles and sport a studious look.

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that if we show the same passion towards the Olympic disciplines as we show towards winning the cricket World Cup and handle games and their stars in a professional fashion, we can win not just one, but many Olympic gold medals.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the solution to the question lies with each one of us. Don't think too much on the issue. It is not that complicated. Just get out of home in the morning and jog for 20 minutes every day, no matter whether you are six or 60 years. By doing so, you would have played your part towards pinning that elusive Olympic gold. It is as simple as that.

Communities/ colonies must organise their children and themselves into a club, pitch in money and provide much needed sports equipment, clean up the small grounds that are available, put up floodlights if funds allow that, organise training, if necessary in batches, arrange matches on weekends and allow elders who have the knowledge and passion for the sport coach the youngsters. As parents you would be delighted to watch your kids play; be there to support them. You may be surprised, but your interest in what they love, will reflect on their interest in what you keep asking them to do....study. This can be your investment towards a healthier future of your children and a stronger nation that they would be proud to call as theirs.

History is replete with examples of nations that have perished, one thing common between them was the fact that their people were not fit

Well, we may never grow weak, both in body and mind, as sports is the secret of youth.

Go for gold! Arise, awake and stop not, till the goal is reached.

The author is the only Indian to win an Olympic silver medal in an individual event