Yes, to some extent I believe advertisements are essential for a sportsman. As they play for the pride of the country they are regarded as public figures so it is but natural for them to go for ad campaigns, showing them sporting a product of a company.
The companies and ad agencies are now cashing on sportspersons to rake up their brand values! And this trend is being given boost with such young talent blossoming and reaching their nadirs! From the azharuddin to sania mirza’s, ad has gone a long way.
But the advertisements have its share of pitfalls. Excessive or overdose of ads may leave the sportsperson media savvy and a significant decline in his/ her performance in their respective sports! This has resulted in decline of top players in tennis, football, cricket, etc...The huge money and potential of earning big bucks is luring the sportsperson and ultimately result in an irreparable effect on his professional life!!!!
Posted By: ssrkraju
I would start today's talk with an example. When we are promoted to a new class, for good books and by good authors, whom do we ask for? A teacher or a bank manager? Looks very awkward, yes it is! Why do we need to have a tennis star or a cricketer tell us to eat particular biscuits? What has our sensational star Dhoni to do with Exude battery? (Sorry to use an example) What does Ifran or John know about the brand new Mobiles? Does Viswanathan Anand get the knowledge of chess by eating Parle-G? Does Amitabh Bachan eat chocolates?
I want to make it clear at the outset that they don't have anything to do with the product they advertise. They do promote the product with the publicity they have. For example, Munaf Patel not known to these industries are running to sign him. Was he using their products, a little thought would give the answer as NO.
The basic challenge before any sportsperson is to master the game and be the best in his/her discipline. He needs to win and prove the talent to others by giving out his best efforts. There are more successful sports people than the cricketers we see.
We can get the fact that our Indians are getting gold medals in the ongoing common wealth games. Why are they not being targeted? The reason is we pay less attention to these games. Cricket or Tennis or F1 have become a great choice of viewers. They are getting lot of money for advertisements, the players also having their chunk.
If the sports personalities have influence they can come up with great messages for our Indian youth and others. I like some of them taking a large step in this direction. I don’t have any problem with them gaining huge amounts; they can spend a part of it to the society for its well-being. Indeed many do them and have set an example for all of us.
I would like them to advice them that instead of advertising for some unwanted and irrelevant ads, they can start some programs/camps to entertain local talent whenever they find some time and with the help of government we can develop the game and just bring the best of country in to the limelight.
