Techniche 5th issue (Read-Only) - College of Technology, Pantnagar

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Is blaming technology, the easy way out for
the depreciating interest of students in sports?
For a long time, frayed nerves after seven hours of monotonous
and taxing schedule were soothed under the
shadow of sports. Mental strains were cast off by kicks on
the grounds and aces on the courts. This customary legacy
might have continued hitherto had laptops equipped with
LAN not crept in. Today, gazing at the 15.4” LCD screen
from the evening till the wee hours of the morning, playing
counter- strike with Sniper and Maverick is found
more exhilarating and reviving than spending some time
on the playing fields. Chess, Titans, FIFA, NBA have
emerged as more viable alternatives to sport. Technologies
like treadmills often preclude athletes from visiting the
stadium grounds.
Gurmeet Singh
II Year, Electrical Engineering
The decreasing interest in sports is a complex phenomenon
with a multitude of factors.
Most prominent is the shortage of time. 24 hours cannot
be increased and so can’t the 60 seconds of a minute. It
becomes necessary to prioritize our needs in this world of
cut throat competition. Another factor to be blamed is
technology. Men are completely entangled in this web of
technological advancements. Thousands of games are
available on just one click on the internet, presence of
cellphone compatible games like cricket, soccer and baseball
etc as well as the trend of LAN games in hostels; everybody
is just more than satisfied. Moreover it has been
observed that fans’ ability to surf sports highlights in
search of instant gratification of spectacular games or to
follow the individual athletes eventually erode loyalty to
real sports teams. Thus, it can be easily seen and felt that
technology is responsible for the depreciating interest in
university level sports.
Juhi Kulshreshtha
II Year, Computer Engineering
It would certainly be wrong to blame technology for the
depreciating interest in university level sports. A strong
attendance of students from College of Technology in
stadium proves that the interest in sports is hardly waning.
The success of Spardha, the sports fest, proves that
there is a spirit of enthusiasm all around. Sports have
got their own charm; some participate for six- pack abs,
others for proving themselves. Those who don’t get an
opportunity to participate, turn towards LAN gaming-
recall FIFA, E.A. Cricket and Cue Club. I am an avid
counter- strike player but my interest has never hindered
my daily visits to the stadium. If you don’t have
strength in your back and limbs, you can not even sit in
front of the computer for hours. Then why curse technology?
Sachin Goyal
III Year, Electrical Engineering
Blaming technology is obviously the easy way out but
the truth that meets the eye is the one that conflicts the
most. An air-conditioned hall drowned in flood lights, a
bunch of close-circuit TV cameras covering the whole
building and giving the latest updates- a proper infrastructure
is what one thinks makes a perfect sportsman
out of a mere individual. But is it this or the sheer hard
work, devotion, ability to succeed and burning desire
that make a true player? ‘Better watch a movie than
knock your feet out in the sun’-is a common deed and
hidden unworthiness of our college students. Most students
hardly ever visit the stadium. Ask the regular players,
they don’t blame technology or shy from disclosing
their weak points. It’s time we rise up to compete in
university level sports and reach the next level.
Censure, upbraid, criticize…? Guess what these traits
thrust you to think. Let you be the answer.
Ankit Godiyal
II Year, Mechanical Engineering