Price to pay for national glory?

COIMBATORE: As captain of the country's world cup junior cricket team, he led the young men in blue to a memorable victory and bagged the cup. However, when Unmukt Chand came back home, he was in for a rude shock when he realized that his college failed him in his second semester exam citing 'inadequate attendance' as the reason!
Even as the college shifts the blame on the Delhi University, stating that it is merely following the rules laid down, the entire cricketing fraternity seems to be in support of the young captain.Even Team India's captain cool MS Dhoni has spoken in support of Chand, when he said, "Marks for sports takes back seat, attendance for now takes centre stage. This shows how much importance sports has in India. Sad to hear."
Chennai's very own swashbuckling left-hander Sadagopan Ramesh, who has represented the country, says that things were different during his playing days. "The management was very encouraging," he recalls, "In fact, I remember times when they used to tell us to just go out there and keep playing cricket and winning. It used to be a proud moment for educational institutions if we bring laurels to them in cricket."
L Balaji, a Chennai bowler who has represented the country, says, "This is a part and parcel of every sportsman's life. Unmukt did not go on a holiday to be penalized; he was representing his country at the biggest level and he won as well! I hope the authorities take note and solve Unmukt's issues at the earliest."
He adds, "Unless you are exceptional like Sachin Tendulkar who got into the game very young, you'll have to face such obstacles in the growing up years."
This is especially true in the case of the Indian scenario where studies are very important."
Unmukt did not go on a holiday to be penalized; he was representing his country at the biggest level and he won as well! I hope the authorities take note and solve Unmukt's issues at the earliest."
He adds, "Unless you are exceptional like Sachin Tendulkar who got into the game very young, you'll have to face such obstacles in the growing up years."
Cricketer Nani, who heads the team at the Chennai Port Trust, feels that colleges should give students playing cricket an 'on duty' attendance. "That's how it works in offices," he says, "If cricketers sweat it out at matches and tours representing the college/state/ country, the least the educational institution should do can do is to give them attendance for those days. It's one way of encouraging the young players to follow their passion and not give up."
With the Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal stepping in on Unmukt's case and speaking with the authorities concerned, the issue might be resolved soon.
But, the larger question is -- are we encouraging our young sporting heroes enough?