In 1929, a year after India had won its first Olympic gold in hockey, Sir Dorabjee Tata had already foreseen a future of sporting despair. Prophesying the bitter administrative battles that would harangue Indian sportsmen, he wrote “India is not yet ripe for the International Olympic Games. The love of such things is not ingrained here. There are so many communities, so many different religions, so many languages and dialects, so many different customs and ideals, that it is almost impossible to select a national team.” Political intrigues still plague Indian sport and the future is still uncertain but for now at least, somewhere, Sir Dorabji must be smiling.

Nalin Mehta is the author of ‘India on Television’ and has co-authored ‘Olympics: The India Story’ express@expressindia.com