Meeting various people from circles of Indian Hockey, the most common introduction I have had is: Here is Mr. XYZ, who played World Cup of 19xx or Olympics of Barcelona or Syndey or Athens.
Absolutely no doubt that representing the India's Hockey team at Olympics or World Cup is the biggest honour for any sportsman in this country.
I sometimes wonder that this kind of introduction is reflection of complacency that has slowly crept in our whole system...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Ask a question related to Indian Hockey
In this blog entry, I invite all the readers to ask question pertaining to Indian Hockey.
I will try my best and attempt to get an answer for you as soon as possible.
Simple procedure:
1) At the bottom of this entry, click on " n Comments". n may be 0, 1, 2 .. whatever.
2) This will take you to the following page.
3) Type your question in, "Leave in comment".
4) In "Choose your identity", choose the 3rd option, i.e. "Name/URL". For example, "Hockey Fan".
5) Type your name in "Name". You may leave URL blank.
6) Click on "Publish your comment".
You are done!!
Please do visit the same page to check the answer to your question.
I will try my best and attempt to get an answer for you as soon as possible.
Simple procedure:
1) At the bottom of this entry, click on " n Comments". n may be 0, 1, 2 .. whatever.
2) This will take you to the following page.
3) Type your question in, "Leave in comment".
4) In "Choose your identity", choose the 3rd option, i.e. "Name/URL". For example, "Hockey Fan".
5) Type your name in "Name". You may leave URL blank.
6) Click on "Publish your comment".
You are done!!
Please do visit the same page to check the answer to your question.
So, go ahead, ask when, how, where, why ..? whatever you have ..!
Thanks for visiting my blogsite! :)
P.S.: If you are an expert on the already asked question, please answer the question yourself, using the same steps as above! :)
Thanks for visiting my blogsite! :)
P.S.: If you are an expert on the already asked question, please answer the question yourself, using the same steps as above! :)
Special Request: Be kind to me when you ask the question! :). Please don't spam the page.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Indian Hockey Men's Coach Harinder Singh calls for a foriegn Penalty Corner Specialist
Recently published news in one of the national dailies report that Indian Hockey Men's team Coach has expressed his eagerness to have over Dutch Penalty Corner Specialist Toon Siepman for sessions with the seniors and various othe clinics around the country.
I am no specialist to comment on whether the World Hockey is concentrating on Penalty Corner skills or Field Goals or to further comment on the expertise of Toon Siepman who charges a whopping amount of $375 per session - an amount which may not be easy to digest as per Indian Hockey standards.
However, I do see one thing very clearly: Breeze of Change.
The disastrous Ric Charlesworth episode must have left a really impression of Indian Hockey in the minds of World Hockey fraternity.
The same is also a reflection of the insecurity and closedness of many in Indian Hockey adminstration to the idea of a foriegn coach. I don't deny the fact that there is an element of pride involved in this, i.e. We, ourselves, are good enough then why do we need an outside coach.
Just that there is a very fine line between pride and ego.
Proceeding this, Harinder Singh talks about getting a penalty corner specialist from Holland. This, I feel, is an example of a progressive thinking. Somehow, I believe, the youth of the country stand a better chance to think ahead and think progressively.
Looking forward to more young thinkers like Harinder Singh ...
Monday, October 13, 2008
Carving a niche of her own-Anupama
Carving a niche of her own
Maxin Mathew
Bengaluru
An effervescent smile and a bubbly "Hi" greets me as I enter the KSHA hockey stadium. Still unsure whether this is the person I am supposed to meet, I introduce myself, in reply to which a strong handshake lays rest to my misconception. If it's true that looks can deceive, then Pachimanda Shivappa Anupama is a classic example of the adage.
Maxin Mathew
Bengaluru
An effervescent smile and a bubbly "Hi" greets me as I enter the KSHA hockey stadium. Still unsure whether this is the person I am supposed to meet, I introduce myself, in reply to which a strong handshake lays rest to my misconception. If it's true that looks can deceive, then Pachimanda Shivappa Anupama is a classic example of the adage.
An international female umpire in the gritty world of field hockey, Anupama has carved a niche of her own.
Standing at just about 5"3, in a Melbourne Commonwealth Games sweatshirt, Anupama pictures herself as a coy and reserved woman. But all this undergoes a major metamorphosis once she's at work on the field. "Shy? Me?" She laughed off my observation. "I guess you have to see me more in action during my matches," the 28-year-old said.
Being born and brought up in Coorg, the cradle of Indian hockey, Anupama is an ardent fan of the sport, thanks to her encouraging parents. "Women in sports itself is a big thing to get support for.
Umpiring in gruelling sports such as hockey takes on a whole new dimension. "It's all because of my parents' constant support that I have reached this stage where I can confidently look back and be happy for the things I have been able to do which other women couldn't," she added.
An attacking mid-fielder, Anupama represented Karnataka in the sub-junior and the senior women's National hockey championships. She also played for Mangalore University at the All-India Inter-University championships.
It was during these occasions that she began noticing the umpires. "Apart from being fascinated, I was curious as to how they handle the game. After a few chats with them I was interested in taking up umpiring," Anupama says.
In 2001, she took the KSHA umpiring exam which she cleared with flying colours. And soon thereafter, Anupama was officiating her first match at the Cheppudira family tournament. "It was my first match and I was extremely nervous. It took me a few matches to get more focussed and controlled," she said.
The biggest break in her career came when she was shortlisted by the Federation of International Hockey as the youngest umpire among the top ten men and women in the world. "It took me some time before I could come to terms with what I had achieved. Thrilling, exciting, exhilarating…it was a dream," Anupama reminisced.
Her international stint took shape in 2004, when she was selected to officiate the first Takamadonomiya Four-Nation Hockey tournament at Giffu, Japan. The Korean Television Six-Nation Hockey tournament at Seoul (2005), the Junior World Cup at Chile (2005), the East Asian Games at Macaw (2005), the Commonwealth Games at Melbourne (2006) and the Central American and Carribbean Games in the Dominican Republic (2006) are among the several international tournaments she has stood as an umpire. "Melbourne was really special. It's a big event with renowned sportspersons. It was simply great," Anupama recalled. In the national arena, a crucial decision in the 2005 National women's final between Railways and Haryana saw them being declared as joint winners. Upholding a controversial penalty decision, the Bengaluru lass faced the wrath of the Haryana team who surrounded her on the field in what was a highly-charged up final. "I was right then and I still stand by my decision. I judge by what I see and they (Haryana) were definitely at fault," the Namdhari Fresh employee said.
This year, she officiated as a neutral umpire at the Four-Nation hockey championships at Rotterdam, Holland and Bremen, Germany. "It was a great feeling, seeing my favourite Dutch players in action and officiating it. They were so humble and friendly with me and I had a fantastic time there," Anupama added. Anupama is headed for the Nehru Cup tournament at Punjab in a few days but she has a last piece of advice for aspiring female umpires. "There's definitely a place for women in umpiring and they are as qualified and talented as anybody else. If we provide them with the right opportunities and the right exposure that their male counterparts get, they can work wonders," she signed off.
(Part version of the same article was published in Asian Age a few days back)
(Part version of the same article was published in Asian Age a few days back)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
It will be IOCL v BCPL for the championship
KSHA Super Division League, Bangalore is all set for a final match extravanganza. 
With Army Red securing 3rd place, IOCL and BPCL will fight for the laurels today at Sports Authority of India(SAI), South Center, Kengeri, Bangalore.
IOCL leading by a goal margin of 26 goals compared to 19 of BPCL, they just need a draw today.
However, defending champions BPCL needs nothing less than a win to retain the championship.
With Army Red securing 3rd place, IOCL and BPCL will fight for the laurels today at Sports Authority of India(SAI), South Center, Kengeri, Bangalore.IOCL leading by a goal margin of 26 goals compared to 19 of BPCL, they just need a draw today.
However, defending champions BPCL needs nothing less than a win to retain the championship.
Friday, October 10, 2008
KSHA Super Division League-Points Table
The points table at the KSHA Super Division as of today, with Canara Bank drawing with Army Red 4-4 and Army Green beating KSP, stands as follows:
Looks like it will be boil down to the last match between IOCL v BPCL to decide who wins the league. Army Red more or less set for the 3rd place in this year's league.
Looks like it will be boil down to the last match between IOCL v BPCL to decide who wins the league. Army Red more or less set for the 3rd place in this year's league.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Karnataka Super Division League-Points Table
The Points Table, as of today, for Karnataka Super Division League is as follows:
The Super Division League is being conducted at Sports Authority Of India (SAI), South Center, Kengeri in Bangalore. The tournament is being conducted by Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA).
The Super Division League is being conducted at Sports Authority Of India (SAI), South Center, Kengeri in Bangalore. The tournament is being conducted by Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA).
Monday, October 6, 2008
An evening with M K Kaushik
After some hit and trails, I finally met M K Kaushik, current Indian Womens' Hockey team coach.
Yet another, down to earth person, who lives for his passion, Hockey, Kaushik saheb comes across as a person who has a lot to say about the System of whom he is a part of but doesn't forget the most important lessons of life, which many of us forget many times, i.e. Laugh and smile keeps one young all the time.
While talking to him, I realized how easy it is for people to comment that Hockey personnels are always involved in negative publicity of the game whereas the reality is sometimes extremely painful to even listen.
Eager to hear what the other person has to share, Kaushik saheb is simplicity personified. Carrying no air of a national level coach or Deputy Director of Haryana Sports Department, Kaushik saheb, knows how to connect to people immediately.
With a gesture of hospitality, Kaushik himself got up and offered us some cold drinks.
I feel at an age of 50+ people resist 'change' but disputing this (mis)conception of mine, Kaushik saheb has no qualms in admitting that he doesn't know much about the Internet World. However, reflecting the true trait of a coach, his next line is, "But I am eager to learn more of it and have sent a few emails successfully in the past few days."
Sharing the good old times, when he was a player, the times when he was the coach at the Bangkok Asiad in 1998, the turbulent times after the writing of "The Golden Boot" to his experiences with Indian Womens' Hockey team, his dealings with the adminstration, his work for Chak De India movie, it was a celebration to spend a couple of hours with one of most respected persons of Hockey personality - Maharaj Krishan Kaushik - A person, who has attempted his best, amongst severe pressure from all spheres, to live for only one thing: Hockey.
Long live passionate people like him.
Yet another, down to earth person, who lives for his passion, Hockey, Kaushik saheb comes across as a person who has a lot to say about the System of whom he is a part of but doesn't forget the most important lessons of life, which many of us forget many times, i.e. Laugh and smile keeps one young all the time.
While talking to him, I realized how easy it is for people to comment that Hockey personnels are always involved in negative publicity of the game whereas the reality is sometimes extremely painful to even listen.
Eager to hear what the other person has to share, Kaushik saheb is simplicity personified. Carrying no air of a national level coach or Deputy Director of Haryana Sports Department, Kaushik saheb, knows how to connect to people immediately.
With a gesture of hospitality, Kaushik himself got up and offered us some cold drinks.
I feel at an age of 50+ people resist 'change' but disputing this (mis)conception of mine, Kaushik saheb has no qualms in admitting that he doesn't know much about the Internet World. However, reflecting the true trait of a coach, his next line is, "But I am eager to learn more of it and have sent a few emails successfully in the past few days."
Sharing the good old times, when he was a player, the times when he was the coach at the Bangkok Asiad in 1998, the turbulent times after the writing of "The Golden Boot" to his experiences with Indian Womens' Hockey team, his dealings with the adminstration, his work for Chak De India movie, it was a celebration to spend a couple of hours with one of most respected persons of Hockey personality - Maharaj Krishan Kaushik - A person, who has attempted his best, amongst severe pressure from all spheres, to live for only one thing: Hockey.
Long live passionate people like him.
A day at the Super Division League Bangalore
20km away from home, with hot weather on a partly sunny Saturday, I somehow managed to reach the SAI Center(South), Kengeri, Bangalore, at around 1310 hours.
My mentor, Shanmugham ji, was playing for Canara Bank in the Super Division League Match against Fortis.
The game scheduled for 1300 hrs had already begun. I must say these guys were on schedule! The score was 0-0. Although, the view on the SAI turf's sidelines is not the best of ones but still I enjoyed watching the quick movement of the players sometimes on my side, sometimes on the other flank.
All this while, I couldn't believe that there was no spectator on this side of the turf. I was the lone one and when Canara Bank scored their first goal, I could hear the echo of my clapping!
It's understandable that SAI turf is a training turf and doesn't attract crowd in anyway. Some adminsitrative reasons didn't leave the organisers (KSHA) with any other option but to host the tournament at SAI, Kengeri.
As the game progressed, and so did the heat, I recognized Ajitesh, Sandeep Micheal and our own, Diwakar Ram, playing for the Fortis.
The most enjoyable sight of Hockey players is the fact that Hockey players are representatives of common public. They are so down to earth and modest that it makes you fall in love with the whole environment itself.
For me, on this day, watching Shanmugham ji, as a player, was different. I realized that an individual on the turf and outside the ground are completely different.
During the game, while defending a short corner (read it as, drag flick from Diwakar Ram) got the a ball on his chest. He collapsed for a minute. A stroke was awarded but Shanmugham ji was struggling to stand straight. I was concerned. But things settled for the better when he has substituted.
As the half time came in, I crossed over to the other side of the turf to just see what goes on at the players benches during this break. While walking, I was greeting by a known person who asked me, with sheer surprise and unbelieveable expression, "Here, to see Shanu play?". I just said, 'Yeah'.
Next question was, 'Do you live close by?". I said, "No!"
I wondered how come Hockey fraternity doesn't believe that there are some fans who just come to watch matches!
The scene at the players bench was a little low profile. A match at 1300 hours, with sun right on the top, it looked as if the players were not only sapped off of their physical energy but mental energy as well.
Khalid ji, the coach, was not his usual high as I have seen him in previous Canara Bank matches.
Checking with Shanu ji if he is OK, I moved on back to my original position to watch the second half.
As the Bankers trailed by 1-3, and 15m into the second half, I saw some players, with their kit on their shoulders, walk to benches where I was sitting. They were hulks and they were chit chatting about normal daily life Hockey related things. It was the IOCL team. They were supposed to play against ASC (Army Service Corps). I could immediately recognize Prabhjot Singh, Inderjeet Chaddha, Bharat Chikkara, Baljit Singh, Deedara Singh, Raghunath, Vikram Kanth , physio Srikanth and the coach Devesh Chauhan.
It was a star packed team.
Seeing their built and personality, I felt so scared that I couldn't say a word. For a moment, I felt like they may tell me to get lost from the benches where I was sitting.
As they cracked jokes, I realized how warm at heart they were. One of them casually asked me, 'What the score was?'.
I said, '3-1, Fortis leads".
They dressed up and moved on for their warm up exercises but I was completely thrilled.
The national levels players didn't carry any attitude with them. I was at an arms distance from them.
They talked the way I do. They all were humans and as modest as I am, possibly. I fell in love with their personality.
Canara Bank lost to Fortis 1-4.
Later on, I met few more people whom I know by face in Hockey circles. There was an expression of indigestion on their faces that I have come to watch a Hockey match.
By this time, with IOCL in their armor were taking on ASC, the BPCL and Namdharis also arrived. At one moment, Tushar Khandekar crossed me and I was about to stop him attempting to talk to him for a minute but 1 second delay in uttering his name and he sprinted away. I was a little shy at that moment.
I talked to some children who had come down to support Namdharis'. They told that their parents work in Namdhari Seeds and they have come to support their team. It was a delight to talk to those children. I asked him with curiosity, " aap bhi Hockey khelte ho?" and came a prompt reply, 'haan ji, main under-16 ki state team mein hoon" (yes, I am in the under-16 state team).
I am surely loving the game by the day.
With a final round of Hockey talk with Shanmugham ji, I called it a day. His last line, although, not new to me, but definitely was for Mahesh, (who joined me during the game), took us by surprise. He said, "It's nice to see supporters, like you, come this far. Who comes to see a Hockey matches these days?"
I came home with a headache (because of heat) that lasted for close to 24 hours, but it was a day I enjoyed and will make sure that I will go to watch a few more matches.
I think I will sum up by this line: I am here to stay! :)
My mentor, Shanmugham ji, was playing for Canara Bank in the Super Division League Match against Fortis.
The game scheduled for 1300 hrs had already begun. I must say these guys were on schedule! The score was 0-0. Although, the view on the SAI turf's sidelines is not the best of ones but still I enjoyed watching the quick movement of the players sometimes on my side, sometimes on the other flank.
All this while, I couldn't believe that there was no spectator on this side of the turf. I was the lone one and when Canara Bank scored their first goal, I could hear the echo of my clapping!
It's understandable that SAI turf is a training turf and doesn't attract crowd in anyway. Some adminsitrative reasons didn't leave the organisers (KSHA) with any other option but to host the tournament at SAI, Kengeri.
As the game progressed, and so did the heat, I recognized Ajitesh, Sandeep Micheal and our own, Diwakar Ram, playing for the Fortis.
The most enjoyable sight of Hockey players is the fact that Hockey players are representatives of common public. They are so down to earth and modest that it makes you fall in love with the whole environment itself.
For me, on this day, watching Shanmugham ji, as a player, was different. I realized that an individual on the turf and outside the ground are completely different.
During the game, while defending a short corner (read it as, drag flick from Diwakar Ram) got the a ball on his chest. He collapsed for a minute. A stroke was awarded but Shanmugham ji was struggling to stand straight. I was concerned. But things settled for the better when he has substituted.
As the half time came in, I crossed over to the other side of the turf to just see what goes on at the players benches during this break. While walking, I was greeting by a known person who asked me, with sheer surprise and unbelieveable expression, "Here, to see Shanu play?". I just said, 'Yeah'.
Next question was, 'Do you live close by?". I said, "No!"
I wondered how come Hockey fraternity doesn't believe that there are some fans who just come to watch matches!
The scene at the players bench was a little low profile. A match at 1300 hours, with sun right on the top, it looked as if the players were not only sapped off of their physical energy but mental energy as well.
Khalid ji, the coach, was not his usual high as I have seen him in previous Canara Bank matches.
Checking with Shanu ji if he is OK, I moved on back to my original position to watch the second half.
As the Bankers trailed by 1-3, and 15m into the second half, I saw some players, with their kit on their shoulders, walk to benches where I was sitting. They were hulks and they were chit chatting about normal daily life Hockey related things. It was the IOCL team. They were supposed to play against ASC (Army Service Corps). I could immediately recognize Prabhjot Singh, Inderjeet Chaddha, Bharat Chikkara, Baljit Singh, Deedara Singh, Raghunath, Vikram Kanth , physio Srikanth and the coach Devesh Chauhan.
It was a star packed team.
Seeing their built and personality, I felt so scared that I couldn't say a word. For a moment, I felt like they may tell me to get lost from the benches where I was sitting.
As they cracked jokes, I realized how warm at heart they were. One of them casually asked me, 'What the score was?'.
I said, '3-1, Fortis leads".
They dressed up and moved on for their warm up exercises but I was completely thrilled.
The national levels players didn't carry any attitude with them. I was at an arms distance from them.
They talked the way I do. They all were humans and as modest as I am, possibly. I fell in love with their personality.
Canara Bank lost to Fortis 1-4.
Later on, I met few more people whom I know by face in Hockey circles. There was an expression of indigestion on their faces that I have come to watch a Hockey match.
By this time, with IOCL in their armor were taking on ASC, the BPCL and Namdharis also arrived. At one moment, Tushar Khandekar crossed me and I was about to stop him attempting to talk to him for a minute but 1 second delay in uttering his name and he sprinted away. I was a little shy at that moment.
I talked to some children who had come down to support Namdharis'. They told that their parents work in Namdhari Seeds and they have come to support their team. It was a delight to talk to those children. I asked him with curiosity, " aap bhi Hockey khelte ho?" and came a prompt reply, 'haan ji, main under-16 ki state team mein hoon" (yes, I am in the under-16 state team).
I am surely loving the game by the day.
With a final round of Hockey talk with Shanmugham ji, I called it a day. His last line, although, not new to me, but definitely was for Mahesh, (who joined me during the game), took us by surprise. He said, "It's nice to see supporters, like you, come this far. Who comes to see a Hockey matches these days?"
I came home with a headache (because of heat) that lasted for close to 24 hours, but it was a day I enjoyed and will make sure that I will go to watch a few more matches.
I think I will sum up by this line: I am here to stay! :)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Air India v Indian Oil...
Tournament: 8th All India Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup Tournament
Venue: Maharashtra Hockey Association, Mahindra Stadium
Match: Finals, Air India v Indian Oil.
On field noteable points: A treat to watch, reportedly. Trailing 0-3, Air India fought back to come to 4-4 in the 68th minute. With Pillays, Tirkeys,Baljits, Adrians, Chikaras, Shivendras, Raghunaths and both side mostly star packed, I am sure it must be entertaining. A controversial penalty corner awarded to Air India in the dying minutes sealed the fate for Indian Oil. They lost 4-5 to Air India.
It is said that the match had some poor umpiring decisions.
Off field notable points: Indian Oil Coach Devesh Chauhan didn't show up on the presentation ceremony citing heavy dissatisfaction on the umpiring.
My take: Bad umpiring, definitely, favours 1 team and doesn't the other one. If you are on the receiving end, on one fine day, does it overtake sportsman spirit?
Venue: Maharashtra Hockey Association, Mahindra Stadium
Match: Finals, Air India v Indian Oil.
On field noteable points: A treat to watch, reportedly. Trailing 0-3, Air India fought back to come to 4-4 in the 68th minute. With Pillays, Tirkeys,Baljits, Adrians, Chikaras, Shivendras, Raghunaths and both side mostly star packed, I am sure it must be entertaining. A controversial penalty corner awarded to Air India in the dying minutes sealed the fate for Indian Oil. They lost 4-5 to Air India.
It is said that the match had some poor umpiring decisions.
Off field notable points: Indian Oil Coach Devesh Chauhan didn't show up on the presentation ceremony citing heavy dissatisfaction on the umpiring.
My take: Bad umpiring, definitely, favours 1 team and doesn't the other one. If you are on the receiving end, on one fine day, does it overtake sportsman spirit?
Monday, September 22, 2008
Indian Hockey is bleeding...is there a doctor around?
There is a lot to compare Pakistan politics and Indian Hockey.
There, first an Army General throws out a powerful President and then suspends the Parliament to rule the country in a dictatorial manner. Then, some people gather to throw him out of power, in which eventually they succeed. This keeps going on and on... No one cares about the people, democracy or how the nation stands in the World.
And that is where it draws huge similarities with Indian Hockey. Pakistan is far behind rest of the World economically, politically and all other '..ally' and India is far behind everyone in Field Hockey.
One sacks second, second goes to court. Now, neither 1 nor 2 can work. 2's administration was autocratic. 1's is even pathetic. There are too many 1's in the fray. The story goes on and on.... None of them are really concerned about Hockey, country or the sport as such.
Even those who held the stick once for the country are still stuck with desires of more glory not to the game but to themselves. Apart from the adhoc committee members, one such biggest culprit is Sri. Dhanraj Pillay!
I sometimes feel that media doesn't speak about him but there is a time when we all have to accept that fact that a magician with stick may not be the greatest person in formal dress in a board room. It's high time we understand who is suited for what position.
The first thing that you expect from a player turned selector is he will not repeat the things that he kept crying for years when he was a player. But the biggest dissappointment in the adhoc committee is Dhanraj Pillay. Drop Tirkey, Thakur and Halappa and he may be getting some sadistic pleasure to see their 'come back promise' article in the newspaper.
1 person who could think beyond all such stalwarts is Viren Rasquinha. Peacefully gave up National level Hockey when politics beat his game, and is pursuing an MBA in one of the reputed institutes in Hyderabad. I wonder will he ever think of turning a Sports Adminstrator. His matured approach, technical brilliance clubbed with his managerial skills can create wonders in the admin section of the Bleeding sport.
Daily when I browse all the newspapers, I see Goa, Nagpur, Srinagar, Mumbai, Imphal, Shillong, Mysore, Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam, Trichi hosting Hockey Tournament in their capacity. Howeverwhen you sum up how much media coverage junk political developments get with regards to Hockey, it pains. Take a shot at this:
Tamil Nadu Hockey Association: 2 associations fighting as who is genuine.
Super Division League in Karnataka: Called off from Coorg because of red-tapism. Being hosted in SAI, Kengeri, Bangalore. Believe me, there is not even a bench there for a spectator.
Kaushik goes back to IWHF and Harender Singh may be the new coach: Kaushik saheb, in all his years with Haryana Sports Dept. didn't know about the procedures and believed the adhoc committee ppl. Made a fool of himself.
Gill calls IOA a fake organization: Oh, dear o dear! It's as fake as your IHF was. You both specialize in mastering the democratic system to remain in power for years uncountable.
Tripartite contest for who will be in power: Gill, is on one side. Second, is the Sahara tycoon. Third, is Kalmadi and company.
These news rule Hockey's media reputation. Come to me and ask me for a penny in the name of Hockey. Guess what will I give?
Then they cry that media is Cricket obsessed and corporates don't sponser anyone but Cricket. I feel they deserve what they are getting.Is anyone observing: Football people have taken massive 'professional' steps. Indian Football is slowly on it's way to make a mark in World Football. Last night NDTV was interviewing Bhutia and Chhetri. It's a perfect symbolic gesture that the sport is catching up.
Our country is craving for an alternate team Sport and Football ppl are progressing in leaps and bounds. They have a foriegn coach as well.Football is ready to cash upon what Hockey has more or less lost and is desperately trying to loose the rest.
Sadly, time and again, I am reminded of what Charlesworth said when he left ...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
To MK Kaushik- Indian Hockey Team Coach
Dear Kaushik Saheb,
It's nice to see that you have been appointed the chief of the national team. No hesitation in expressing the fact that I wanted to see Ric Charlesworth in this hot seat but Ric's departure is history now.
You and Ric have teamed up well in your Women’s Hockey assignment.You have been a person who has been very open to making use of Ric Charlesworth’s expertise.
By the same token, I hope you remember, according to him, the mistakes that we have been committing.I quote a few related to Hockey, on field, per say:
1) Indian hockey cannot run on anecdotes, there has to be some reality.
2) The first thing they should do is to accept their mistakes and not make excuses and then go about rectifying the grey areas.
3) India may do well in a one-off tournament in 2009. Everyone will feel happy for a while. But sustainable results? No, that’s not going to happen.
4) All the support staff of the team needs to have a proper contract.
You have agreed, in principle, to be the coach till Commonwealth Games 2010. I wonder if you genuinely felt the need for a contract.
I know that may not be much in your control. However, I am moved by one of your statements by you yesterday.
Going back in time, I have read each and every page of your book 'The Golden Boot'.
I am 100% sure that you will be aware where you went wrong in the whole episode.
1) You attempted to take up a role that wasn't given to you - Selector.
2) You attempted to take up political issues of players with the Federation; a Federation that had already turned hostile to you.
Whereas, it is entirely understandable that a coach cannot work if certain players who fall in scheme of things are not taken in the team, but the fact remains until and unless a Coach is in the Selection Committee there is very little he can do in this arena.
Now, after your appointment, you say "if the Tirkeys or Thakur perform well, they can make it to the team."
Here are my questions to you:
1) On what basis, are you guaranteeing them a place if they perform well? Are you in the Selection Committee? Who will judge, after all, whether they are perform well or not? You, Selection Committee or the media?
2) Is it in your defined role to comment on who or who cannot make it to the team?
3) Couldn't your answer, to the 48 probable related question, have been: you are not a Selection Committee member?
My polite word of caution is what the Great India Epic, Geeta, says: Concentrate on the work that has been given to you.
Easier said than done; I agree.
However if you are successful, you can set a precedent to the next generation of coaches to maintain professionalism at work.
To sum it, I have faith in your capabilities as a Chief Coach and I watch keenly as to how the Indian team shapes up from where it is now.
Last but not the least; I quote a line from your book: "I am only for the game of hockey, not for politics".
It's nice to see that you have been appointed the chief of the national team. No hesitation in expressing the fact that I wanted to see Ric Charlesworth in this hot seat but Ric's departure is history now.
You and Ric have teamed up well in your Women’s Hockey assignment.You have been a person who has been very open to making use of Ric Charlesworth’s expertise.
By the same token, I hope you remember, according to him, the mistakes that we have been committing.I quote a few related to Hockey, on field, per say:
1) Indian hockey cannot run on anecdotes, there has to be some reality.
2) The first thing they should do is to accept their mistakes and not make excuses and then go about rectifying the grey areas.
3) India may do well in a one-off tournament in 2009. Everyone will feel happy for a while. But sustainable results? No, that’s not going to happen.
4) All the support staff of the team needs to have a proper contract.
You have agreed, in principle, to be the coach till Commonwealth Games 2010. I wonder if you genuinely felt the need for a contract.
I know that may not be much in your control. However, I am moved by one of your statements by you yesterday.
Going back in time, I have read each and every page of your book 'The Golden Boot'.
I am 100% sure that you will be aware where you went wrong in the whole episode.
1) You attempted to take up a role that wasn't given to you - Selector.
2) You attempted to take up political issues of players with the Federation; a Federation that had already turned hostile to you.
Whereas, it is entirely understandable that a coach cannot work if certain players who fall in scheme of things are not taken in the team, but the fact remains until and unless a Coach is in the Selection Committee there is very little he can do in this arena.
Now, after your appointment, you say "if the Tirkeys or Thakur perform well, they can make it to the team."
Here are my questions to you:
1) On what basis, are you guaranteeing them a place if they perform well? Are you in the Selection Committee? Who will judge, after all, whether they are perform well or not? You, Selection Committee or the media?
2) Is it in your defined role to comment on who or who cannot make it to the team?
3) Couldn't your answer, to the 48 probable related question, have been: you are not a Selection Committee member?
My polite word of caution is what the Great India Epic, Geeta, says: Concentrate on the work that has been given to you.
Easier said than done; I agree.
However if you are successful, you can set a precedent to the next generation of coaches to maintain professionalism at work.
To sum it, I have faith in your capabilities as a Chief Coach and I watch keenly as to how the Indian team shapes up from where it is now.
Last but not the least; I quote a line from your book: "I am only for the game of hockey, not for politics".
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Letter to Ric Charlesworth
Ric Charlesworth must have left India by now.
Here are few things that he said before he left:
Here is what I feel like writing to him:
Dear Mr. Charlesworth,
It is sad that you left like this. Leave aside a handful of your dedicated fans and another few who looked at your recommendations in a neutral manner, there aren't many who felt moved by your unavoidable departure.
You put up with a system with which we ourselves are fed up. It is something like, if I ask someone what can be done to change things in Hockey they will say,"Nothing will ever going to change ... these administrators will kill the game completely."
The underlying fact is, "Not many have courage to work towards to positive change." That is why the administrators rule the game.
You were smart enough to interact with so many people that you understood the whole system in and out.
I once argued with a person pleading, "Atleast accept that something is wrong here. We can then take steps towards bettering it."
The response I got was, "No, the way you see it is wrong. It works like this only."
That sums up the whole situation.
Your mistake was that you found a problem in our system. For us, our system is the tremendous pool of players (and talent) that we have! That, by the virtue of above argument, is flawless and no one else has it to such a capacity.
We will keep pushing for recognition on this premise, no matter any medals come our way or not.
Your another mistake is, you have left our system stark naked. Because the fact is, we will not accept it. No matter, how embarrasing it is for anyone else, we won't accept this.
Second lastly, we will keep harping on the 8 Gold Medals that we won, sometime! We have a fascination for history.
As one of the popular movie songs says: ulti seedhi .. jaisi bhi hai .. apni yahi kahani ... phir bhi dil hai hindustani ...!
(whatever it is .. but we still are Indians)
Last but not the least, you should learn that in India if one wins a medal or a national level award, they have every right to rule the arena, thereafter, forever. They are waivered of for any Administrative, Coaching skills,etc related questions.
Just hoping that some progressive thinking leader will come forward, one day, and understand the gravity of the situation and your recommendations!
Signing off,
Best regards,
Shashank.
Here are few things that he said before he left:
- Indian hockey cannot run on anecdotes, there has to be some reality.
- The change has to come from within.
- I love India, it is a country of incredible contrasts.
- Corporatise hockey in India, that's the best way to put in place a professional structure.
- All the support staff of the team needs to have a proper contract.
- One good thing is that Indian media is interested in hockey and transparency to the media is very essential.
- What is the aspiration of a hockey player here? Playing for the country, maybe. But what he really wants is a secure job. He doesn’t think about getting a medal in Olympics for his country, he just wants to earn his livelyhood.
- India may do well in a one-off tournament in 2009. Everyone will feel happy for a while. But sustainable results? No, that’s not going to happen.
- The first thing they should do is to accept their mistakes and not make excuses and then go about rectifying the grey areas.
Here is what I feel like writing to him:
Dear Mr. Charlesworth,
It is sad that you left like this. Leave aside a handful of your dedicated fans and another few who looked at your recommendations in a neutral manner, there aren't many who felt moved by your unavoidable departure.
You put up with a system with which we ourselves are fed up. It is something like, if I ask someone what can be done to change things in Hockey they will say,"Nothing will ever going to change ... these administrators will kill the game completely."
The underlying fact is, "Not many have courage to work towards to positive change." That is why the administrators rule the game.
You were smart enough to interact with so many people that you understood the whole system in and out.
I once argued with a person pleading, "Atleast accept that something is wrong here. We can then take steps towards bettering it."
The response I got was, "No, the way you see it is wrong. It works like this only."
That sums up the whole situation.
Your mistake was that you found a problem in our system. For us, our system is the tremendous pool of players (and talent) that we have! That, by the virtue of above argument, is flawless and no one else has it to such a capacity.
We will keep pushing for recognition on this premise, no matter any medals come our way or not.
Your another mistake is, you have left our system stark naked. Because the fact is, we will not accept it. No matter, how embarrasing it is for anyone else, we won't accept this.
Second lastly, we will keep harping on the 8 Gold Medals that we won, sometime! We have a fascination for history.
As one of the popular movie songs says: ulti seedhi .. jaisi bhi hai .. apni yahi kahani ... phir bhi dil hai hindustani ...!
(whatever it is .. but we still are Indians)
Last but not the least, you should learn that in India if one wins a medal or a national level award, they have every right to rule the arena, thereafter, forever. They are waivered of for any Administrative, Coaching skills,etc related questions.
Just hoping that some progressive thinking leader will come forward, one day, and understand the gravity of the situation and your recommendations!
Signing off,
Best regards,
Shashank.
Monday, August 4, 2008
4 Indian Hockey Coaches go to Beijing
Few days back, it was reported that 4 coaches will be visiting Beijing to watch Olympics Hockey and there after, they will prepare their project report for the revival of the game in the country.
These 4 people are M K Kaushik, A K Bansal, Harinder Singh and A B Subbaiah.
Sometimes, I feel, if not drastically positive, but still Indian Olympics Association (IOA) is bringing about progressive changes to Indian Hockey (or shall I call it Hockey India!)
The idea to send coaches to different countries is not a new one. A lot of other countries do this and this is how they prepare their teams for major upcoming events.
After the Chile debacle, it was a much-asked question (by the Hockey intelligensia, ofcourse!) that why didn't India send anyone to Champions Trophy, Malaysia, 2007 to observe the game of Great Britian.
What India could have done long back is being implemented now. Fair enough. If not in full but in part.
The difference is that Indian coaches are not going for analyzing a particular team. They are going to observe the matches to present a report on what changes should be brought about to improve the condition of the game.
Understandable; atleast someone in power does think that there are lessons to be learnt from outside countries.
I don't think that this visit is a part of a shrewd game strategy that Europeans use but still going abroad to watch certain matches is definitely not a culture that took birth in India. So, in a way, it is a positive step that may prove to a "attitude-shift" in the years to come.
These 4 people are M K Kaushik, A K Bansal, Harinder Singh and A B Subbaiah.
Sometimes, I feel, if not drastically positive, but still Indian Olympics Association (IOA) is bringing about progressive changes to Indian Hockey (or shall I call it Hockey India!)
The idea to send coaches to different countries is not a new one. A lot of other countries do this and this is how they prepare their teams for major upcoming events.
After the Chile debacle, it was a much-asked question (by the Hockey intelligensia, ofcourse!) that why didn't India send anyone to Champions Trophy, Malaysia, 2007 to observe the game of Great Britian.
What India could have done long back is being implemented now. Fair enough. If not in full but in part.
The difference is that Indian coaches are not going for analyzing a particular team. They are going to observe the matches to present a report on what changes should be brought about to improve the condition of the game.
Understandable; atleast someone in power does think that there are lessons to be learnt from outside countries.
I don't think that this visit is a part of a shrewd game strategy that Europeans use but still going abroad to watch certain matches is definitely not a culture that took birth in India. So, in a way, it is a positive step that may prove to a "attitude-shift" in the years to come.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Carvalho and Dronacharya Award
As reported in a few newspapers today, Joaquim Carvalho, former Chief Coach for Indian Men's Hockey team, is unhappy with the fact that his name didn't feature in the list of nominees of presitigious Dronacharya Award - an award conferred by Indian Government to those who excelled as Sports coaches.
Players/Coaches in Hockey (and all other sports, other than Cricket) are often offered pathetic treatment with no one to hear their woes. Some are known to the common public and others, mostly, are known only by Hockey professionals.
So, amidst this, it can taken that Carvalho must have felt that some injustice has been meted out at him and hence, the final resort, media!
The point here is, what does Carvalho want to prove by doing this.
1) Is it that he has been an excellent coach, who needs to be conferred with Dronacharya Award? .. or he is just unhappy with not being 'nominated'
2) The report says, he has been recommended for the same for the fourth year in succession. If you ask me, I will give some marks for Asia Cup but that was in Sept '07. So, how come the name was being recommended for the first 3 times?
3) Last but not the least, I feel Carvalho is demanding sympathy from the public through media.
Take this: Very interestingly, although the news is first published by PTI, in the print version, only Times of India has printed this news. That too, in only a few editions. I feel even media didn't sympathasize with the coach this time.
Lastly, let's not forget that Joaquim, in his positive points, has mentioned that he is an Olympian and former captain of Indian team. The article doesn't say anything more. Does it suffice to get a Dronacharya Award?
Players/Coaches in Hockey (and all other sports, other than Cricket) are often offered pathetic treatment with no one to hear their woes. Some are known to the common public and others, mostly, are known only by Hockey professionals.
So, amidst this, it can taken that Carvalho must have felt that some injustice has been meted out at him and hence, the final resort, media!
The point here is, what does Carvalho want to prove by doing this.
1) Is it that he has been an excellent coach, who needs to be conferred with Dronacharya Award? .. or he is just unhappy with not being 'nominated'
2) The report says, he has been recommended for the same for the fourth year in succession. If you ask me, I will give some marks for Asia Cup but that was in Sept '07. So, how come the name was being recommended for the first 3 times?
3) Last but not the least, I feel Carvalho is demanding sympathy from the public through media.
Take this: Very interestingly, although the news is first published by PTI, in the print version, only Times of India has printed this news. That too, in only a few editions. I feel even media didn't sympathasize with the coach this time.
Lastly, let's not forget that Joaquim, in his positive points, has mentioned that he is an Olympian and former captain of Indian team. The article doesn't say anything more. Does it suffice to get a Dronacharya Award?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Indian Women's Hockey team training in Bangalore...
Today's, TOI reports (see http://hockeyandhockey.blogspot.com/2008/07/indian-hockey-printed-articles-29-july.html) that Indian Women's Hockey team members are stacked nine to a room with conditions so bad that some players have fallen ill.
The article also says that Beijing- bound athletes have been given more rooms than the Women's team.
It mentions that toilet are filthy.
It also says that conditions are much better than Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi as far as "food, bed linen and other things" are concerned.
It is quoted, "Because we don't get very little rest, some have fallen ill."
This statement has connotations.
As far as toilets are concerned, it's an omnipresent sight in our country, I feel.
Notwithstanding the fact that often National level Hockey Players are given worst treatment, but by simple summing up of the above article, I felt that the article can be taken with a pinch of salt.
Last but not the least, the national daily, with more than 12 editions, reports it as "Sai's Kenkeri complex". Of what I know, it is SAI, South Center, Kengeri!
The article also says that Beijing- bound athletes have been given more rooms than the Women's team.
It mentions that toilet are filthy.
It also says that conditions are much better than Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi as far as "food, bed linen and other things" are concerned.
It is quoted, "Because we don't get very little rest, some have fallen ill."
This statement has connotations.
As far as toilets are concerned, it's an omnipresent sight in our country, I feel.
Notwithstanding the fact that often National level Hockey Players are given worst treatment, but by simple summing up of the above article, I felt that the article can be taken with a pinch of salt.
Last but not the least, the national daily, with more than 12 editions, reports it as "Sai's Kenkeri complex". Of what I know, it is SAI, South Center, Kengeri!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Kaushik, Jagbir or someone else?
Today's Hindustan Times reports that it's gonna go in the hands of Kaushik.
Indian Express says that it will end up in hands of Jagbir Singh!
Sher Khan saheb says that it should be Bansal only or else he is gonna put up a brave front against the proceedings. I wonder if the "selection committee" is the selection committee for coaches too!
Very interestingly, the report in HT says, "Dhanraj Pillay is not in the scheme of things!". Did they mean that Dhanraj Pillay is also aspiring for the coach job?
Like Indian Politics, Hockey mein kuch bhi ho sakta hai!
Anyhow, so here we are, it will no one but an Olympians. (you may click the link)
If you can't answer the question, which Political party should rule the country, then it's very likely that you may not be able to answer this puzzle too!
Very much like the Indian Political system, there is no one with clean image or no one who has a credible resume to coach the Indian team.
Jagbir Singh has been an active commentator with the ESPN Star Sports. He is good when it comes to "how to talk and what to talk" in media.
Kaushik, on the other hand, has been off and on with the Indian Women's Hockey Team. Apart from 1998 Asiad Gold success, he has tasted a small bit of success in Women's Hockey. 1998 was 10 years back and World Hockey has gone miles ahead from there. Kaushik's Olympic gold medal came 28 years back. That kind of 'field' Hockey no one plays nowadays.
So, who will it be?... Bansal.. ? or someone else ...?
I am not hoping big laurels in the days to come.
Mostly all Olympians being considered for the job will flunk if FIH creates a 'report card'. But then, the choice is to be made from these only.
I just hope whomsoever spoils the game further, does with some mercy to Indian Hockey....
Indian Express says that it will end up in hands of Jagbir Singh!
Sher Khan saheb says that it should be Bansal only or else he is gonna put up a brave front against the proceedings. I wonder if the "selection committee" is the selection committee for coaches too!
Very interestingly, the report in HT says, "Dhanraj Pillay is not in the scheme of things!". Did they mean that Dhanraj Pillay is also aspiring for the coach job?
Like Indian Politics, Hockey mein kuch bhi ho sakta hai!
Anyhow, so here we are, it will no one but an Olympians. (you may click the link)
If you can't answer the question, which Political party should rule the country, then it's very likely that you may not be able to answer this puzzle too!
Very much like the Indian Political system, there is no one with clean image or no one who has a credible resume to coach the Indian team.
Jagbir Singh has been an active commentator with the ESPN Star Sports. He is good when it comes to "how to talk and what to talk" in media.
Kaushik, on the other hand, has been off and on with the Indian Women's Hockey Team. Apart from 1998 Asiad Gold success, he has tasted a small bit of success in Women's Hockey. 1998 was 10 years back and World Hockey has gone miles ahead from there. Kaushik's Olympic gold medal came 28 years back. That kind of 'field' Hockey no one plays nowadays.
So, who will it be?... Bansal.. ? or someone else ...?
I am not hoping big laurels in the days to come.
Mostly all Olympians being considered for the job will flunk if FIH creates a 'report card'. But then, the choice is to be made from these only.
I just hope whomsoever spoils the game further, does with some mercy to Indian Hockey....
Foreigner v Indian
Change, a 6 letter word but the most difficult word when it comes to implementation.
This is what today's Indian Hockey demands. An attitude change, a perspective change, an approach change and finally a wholistic change.
Let's accept the fact. We all live in a democratic country.
On one side, you have "For a foreigner group". The Hockey intelligensia in this group vehemently demanded that Ric Charlesworth should be instantiated as the Chief Coach for the Men's Hockey team. You ask anything to these people they have all the facts and figures to support their cause. Alas, their number is few.
On the other side, you have "For Only an Indian" group. They say that Indian person, and only an Indian, can bring about a change in the state of affairs. Each one has a solution with them, how to improve the pathetic state of the game. Amongst all skewed statistics that they possess, these people lack planning, vision, have malice in mind (which cannnot be proved in any forum) but have one thing that no one can ever dispute (in the same, above mentioned forums - to say the least): I love Hockey.
So, you have two poles-apart opinions: Get a foreigner v Get an Indian.
(Foreigner here is primarily meant in context of a "white" person.)
I feel it's a mammoth task to go to a completely "For a Foreigner" because it needs a massive attitude shift for the other section. Since, this other section is large in number and no one can dispute their so called 'love' for the game, it's likely that the "For a Foreigner" group is gonna loose the battle.
However, with Ric Charlesworth (more or less) out of the fray, I feel the battle has not been really lost as IOA made an annoucement today that they are likely to get an "Foreigner Technical Expert". As reported by Hindustan Times, the name of Tayyab Ikram, FIH coaching Project Manager, is going around.
I am not aware of who he is but I surely believe anyone who holds official post in FIH. I am sure he/she would have a professional approach.
I feel this is a smart move to give a push to the thinking of "For Only an Indian" group. Have an Indian coach but have a Technical Expert from outside. Now, this outsider belongs to the sub-continent. This may be a move to please the FIH, but I welcome it. For, I believe that until there is no pressure or no external authority to please nothing much comes out.
Be it either of the 2 reasons, but I feel, IOA officials are thinking of a change, although a small one.
This may be the start of an era which will one day culminate in a day when you have a foreign coach. So, "For a foreigner" group need not be that dissappointed with the state of affairs, afterall.
Or to sum it all, may be, I just found a reason to keep my hope alive!! :)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
FIH, IOA and Hockey India
Finally, something has moved forward.
Kalmadi and Els van Breda Vriesman had a landmark meeting where they decided to dissolve Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) to rename it as "Hockey India".
I feel, for a change, Kalmadi is thinking positive. He looks committed to host the 2010 World Cup and to top it all, the Champions Trophy is coming to India in 2011 and 2012, in principle.
As of today, India has no rank in Champions Trophy. So, in a way, it's good that there is a guarantee for us to play in it.
Also, he talks definite, that he plans to see a Hockey medal in 2012 London Olympics.
Els van Breda Vriesman says that she is satisfied to see the developments in Indian Hockey. I feel that it definitely holds a lot of weight. The lady, who once claimed that failure of revival of Indian Hockey would be her personal failure, when she says this, I, as a fan, feel that probably she sees some light when she dealt with Kalmadi all the while.
Cutting short controversies and being well prepared with all cut-throat questions is something I admire in the concept of professionalism. 1 week of furore on Charlesworth's departure and eat this: Vriesman says,"His work is done. I am satisfied with his inputs. His continuation depends on IOA now."
Simple isn't it? .. Now ask what you want to ..?... whole saga summed in 3 line.
Salute to you Ms. Vriesman. I love the way you love Hockey! The beauty lies in the way you cut short all the negative publicity that this country offers to the game!
Just see one fact: 2 days of meeting between Vriesman and Kalmadi brings about so many concrete decisions. On the other side, months of ad-hoc committee work and the RESUTL = ZERO.
Apart from crying foul, attending press conferences and give gallantry statements ad-hoc committee has definitely promised one thing that makes me feel scared: It is on Gill's track...
I agree, there is lot to implement now. So many administrators, in both Men and Women's Hockey, massive load of opinions of 'Olympians', some selfish, some self centered people but alas for a moment I feel that something is about to happen now ... something that may be on the road to professionalism ... and the revival of the "Hockey India" in "World Hockey".
Last but not the least, MS Gill, Sports Minister, although may not be very good at his facts, has blasted DD for not taking any initiative to cover Jr. Asia Cup. I feel, firstly, he deserves applaude. He is definitely better than his predecessors. Atleast, he is taking some interest in Hockey. Secondly, planned 'implementation' is what I keenly look for. I hope, next time DD is alerted beforehand.
Kalmadi and Els van Breda Vriesman had a landmark meeting where they decided to dissolve Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) to rename it as "Hockey India".
I feel, for a change, Kalmadi is thinking positive. He looks committed to host the 2010 World Cup and to top it all, the Champions Trophy is coming to India in 2011 and 2012, in principle.
As of today, India has no rank in Champions Trophy. So, in a way, it's good that there is a guarantee for us to play in it.
Also, he talks definite, that he plans to see a Hockey medal in 2012 London Olympics.
Els van Breda Vriesman says that she is satisfied to see the developments in Indian Hockey. I feel that it definitely holds a lot of weight. The lady, who once claimed that failure of revival of Indian Hockey would be her personal failure, when she says this, I, as a fan, feel that probably she sees some light when she dealt with Kalmadi all the while.
Cutting short controversies and being well prepared with all cut-throat questions is something I admire in the concept of professionalism. 1 week of furore on Charlesworth's departure and eat this: Vriesman says,"His work is done. I am satisfied with his inputs. His continuation depends on IOA now."
Simple isn't it? .. Now ask what you want to ..?... whole saga summed in 3 line.
Salute to you Ms. Vriesman. I love the way you love Hockey! The beauty lies in the way you cut short all the negative publicity that this country offers to the game!
Just see one fact: 2 days of meeting between Vriesman and Kalmadi brings about so many concrete decisions. On the other side, months of ad-hoc committee work and the RESUTL = ZERO.
Apart from crying foul, attending press conferences and give gallantry statements ad-hoc committee has definitely promised one thing that makes me feel scared: It is on Gill's track...
I agree, there is lot to implement now. So many administrators, in both Men and Women's Hockey, massive load of opinions of 'Olympians', some selfish, some self centered people but alas for a moment I feel that something is about to happen now ... something that may be on the road to professionalism ... and the revival of the "Hockey India" in "World Hockey".
Last but not the least, MS Gill, Sports Minister, although may not be very good at his facts, has blasted DD for not taking any initiative to cover Jr. Asia Cup. I feel, firstly, he deserves applaude. He is definitely better than his predecessors. Atleast, he is taking some interest in Hockey. Secondly, planned 'implementation' is what I keenly look for. I hope, next time DD is alerted beforehand.
AHF Professionalism
Check this: Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) had a meeting of all it's members in the backdrop of Jr. Asia Cup and Indian media was busy covering if at all Gill, Jothikumaran, Stokes and Bose will attend the meeting.
To add to the complication, ad hoc committee were also representing Indian Hockey and media had hyped the event such that everyone was waiting for the tamasha to happen.
But P. Alagendra has not eaten "chane" being the Secretary of AHF. They were not here to sort out internal matters of IHF. This is what is the beauty of administration. If you want, you CAN avoid a controversy.
They came, did their meeting, took their decisions, put down all controversial questions and moved on. To cut it short, they said that Gill is elected in 2006 and will remain the vice-president till 2010 - Chapter closed. No more questions, no more controversies.
Kudos to you, Mr. P. Alagendra! ... I hope we learn the meaning of word 'focus' from you!
A couple of print media covered Sher Khan Saheb's foul cry of blasting the AHF for not holding certain tournaments on grass.... insha-allah... apni khair manayeye .. agar uspe bhi haar gaye .. tab kahan khelengen?
To add to the complication, ad hoc committee were also representing Indian Hockey and media had hyped the event such that everyone was waiting for the tamasha to happen.
But P. Alagendra has not eaten "chane" being the Secretary of AHF. They were not here to sort out internal matters of IHF. This is what is the beauty of administration. If you want, you CAN avoid a controversy.
They came, did their meeting, took their decisions, put down all controversial questions and moved on. To cut it short, they said that Gill is elected in 2006 and will remain the vice-president till 2010 - Chapter closed. No more questions, no more controversies.
Kudos to you, Mr. P. Alagendra! ... I hope we learn the meaning of word 'focus' from you!
A couple of print media covered Sher Khan Saheb's foul cry of blasting the AHF for not holding certain tournaments on grass.... insha-allah... apni khair manayeye .. agar uspe bhi haar gaye .. tab kahan khelengen?
Jr. Asia Cup victory
First things first, it's great to "hear" (not see) that India won the Jr. Asia Cup beating Korea 3-2 in a clincher where they were trailing 0-2 at one time.
All the talk that has been going on for a while may be good or bad, but the fact remains that the game looks and sounds best when played on turf.
So, no doubts, leaving aside the Cup controversy, under-age allegations and no TV-telecast, one thing is for sure: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander!
Some may argue that, if at all, is it honest to rejoice and claim, "Indian Hockey is on right track!"
I would say, "We will decide later, let's just enjoy the moment!" ... Chak de .. India! :)
All the talk that has been going on for a while may be good or bad, but the fact remains that the game looks and sounds best when played on turf.
So, no doubts, leaving aside the Cup controversy, under-age allegations and no TV-telecast, one thing is for sure: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander!
Some may argue that, if at all, is it honest to rejoice and claim, "Indian Hockey is on right track!"
I would say, "We will decide later, let's just enjoy the moment!" ... Chak de .. India! :)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Ric Charlesworth interested in taking Kookaburras job
Fox Sports, Australia
http://www.foxsports.com.au/beijing_olympics/story/0,27313,24034225-5016780,00.html
Ric Charlesworth interested in taking Kookaburras job
HOCKEY legend Ric Charlesworth has expressed strong interest in becoming head coach of the Australian men's team after the Beijing Olympics. Charlesworth, 58, one of the code's greatest players and most respected figures, admitted yesterday the prospect of returning to head coaching at elite level is enticing.
The men's job will be vacant after the Olympics because coach Barry Dancer is ending his seven-year reign.
Charlesworth is mulling over whether he will apply and his stunning portfolio will make him one of the favourites if he decides to do so.
He is currently close to splitting with the Indian hockey following a difficult time in his one-year contract which expires in December. He was hired as a consultant but feels his message is not getting through.
"(Coaching in Australia) is one of the possibilities ahead of me . . . it depends on the next week and how this thing in India resolves itself," Charlesworth said.
"If I am interested at all it will be in the men's team. I have done the job with the women. I spent a long time with that program."
The men's team could prove especially attractive to Charlesworth given his son Jonno played with several young stars at international youth level who are now surging into the top team.
Charlesworth has lived a life of high achievement. A qualified doctor, he was a member of federal parliament for a decade, has written three books, captained Western Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket as was recently employed as New Zealand cricket's high performance manager.
No lesser judge that recently retired Australian cricket coach John Buchanan felt Charlesworth would have made an excellent Australian cricket coach.
Though famed for his deeds with an Australian women's team he moulded into one of the most dominant female sporting teams in the world, Charlesworth would be more interested in linking with the men's side which he has never coached.
Charlesworth left mainstream hockey coaching after guiding the women's team to the gold medal in Sydney.
The catch could be getting a clearance from the International Hockey Federation who sanctioned his deal with India.
"I have said to India if you keep doing what you are doing you will keep getting what you are getting," Charlesworth said.
"My job was advisory and there in not much more I can do. They need to take some action. That is what it comes down to. Whether it goes any further depends on what they do."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/beijing_olympics/story/0,27313,24034225-5016780,00.html
Ric Charlesworth interested in taking Kookaburras job
HOCKEY legend Ric Charlesworth has expressed strong interest in becoming head coach of the Australian men's team after the Beijing Olympics. Charlesworth, 58, one of the code's greatest players and most respected figures, admitted yesterday the prospect of returning to head coaching at elite level is enticing.
The men's job will be vacant after the Olympics because coach Barry Dancer is ending his seven-year reign.
Charlesworth is mulling over whether he will apply and his stunning portfolio will make him one of the favourites if he decides to do so.
He is currently close to splitting with the Indian hockey following a difficult time in his one-year contract which expires in December. He was hired as a consultant but feels his message is not getting through.
"(Coaching in Australia) is one of the possibilities ahead of me . . . it depends on the next week and how this thing in India resolves itself," Charlesworth said.
"If I am interested at all it will be in the men's team. I have done the job with the women. I spent a long time with that program."
The men's team could prove especially attractive to Charlesworth given his son Jonno played with several young stars at international youth level who are now surging into the top team.
Charlesworth has lived a life of high achievement. A qualified doctor, he was a member of federal parliament for a decade, has written three books, captained Western Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket as was recently employed as New Zealand cricket's high performance manager.
No lesser judge that recently retired Australian cricket coach John Buchanan felt Charlesworth would have made an excellent Australian cricket coach.
Though famed for his deeds with an Australian women's team he moulded into one of the most dominant female sporting teams in the world, Charlesworth would be more interested in linking with the men's side which he has never coached.
Charlesworth left mainstream hockey coaching after guiding the women's team to the gold medal in Sydney.
The catch could be getting a clearance from the International Hockey Federation who sanctioned his deal with India.
"I have said to India if you keep doing what you are doing you will keep getting what you are getting," Charlesworth said.
"My job was advisory and there in not much more I can do. They need to take some action. That is what it comes down to. Whether it goes any further depends on what they do."
Bitter medicine for the Aussie doctor
From Today's Deccan Herald:
HOCKEY Ric Charlesworth episode
Bitter medicine for the Aussie doctor
Things never seem to change in Indian sport. Callous attitudes, disregard for a good player or coach, ego clashes, bad planning and many such reasons have ensured that sport in India continues to be mediocre at best.
The recent episode of Indian hockeys technical advisor Ric Charlesworth allegedly quitting his post after being fed up with the way things work in the country has hopefully made people sit up and take notice. As if failing to qualify for the Olympics was not enough for people to get serious about hockey! After the previous regime of the Indian Hockey Federation led by KPSGill tumbled, one would have thought things would improve for the better. But sadly, the lessons have not been learnt. It looks like people do not want to make afresh beginning to try and regain the glory days of Indian hockey.
Charlesworth was a man full of hope when he came to India. He had just quit as the high-performance manager of the New Zealand cricket team. This legendary Australian had that fire in the belly. Obviously a big fan of Indian skill, he wanted to coach the country to gold medals at the highest levels.
It is believed that his Indian assignment is costing about $150,000 a year. He was to get this amount from the Indian Government and the International HockeyFederation (FIH), which is keen to promote hockey in India. Charlesworth has always wanted to coach the senior mens team but according to him, his role was not clearly defined. After hiring a good coach like him and agreeing to pay a hefty sum, the question is why is he not being allowed to work freely. Indian hockey is in tatters.
Why not give a chance, and a free hand, to someone like Charlesworth to try things out his way? Why not use his services when he is being paid a handsome sum. If not, what is the point in having him in India at all? It all looked rosy when the former Australian captain arrived in the country. He had not realised how tough things are really in India, something he admitted recently. A contract was given but not to his satisfaction. The usual dilly-dallying from the authorities followed.
The fact is that Charlesworth has had no opportunity to feel at home or love his job. It has been trouble and hardship all along. He received cold shoulders from people occupying the hot seats. Being here as the advisor, there was no one to consider his advice. It was always a case of who is he to tell me how to do things? Ultimately, the Indian Olympic Association also came out to say that he is not needed in India.
The previous office-bearers in the IHF have left the game in a mess. With the adhoc committee taking over after Gill and Cos ouster, it seemed that things would improve. But that has not happened so far. There is an absolute need for all to work together India are to nurse any hope of improving. Why not listen to someone who has led Australian teams to gold medals, both as a coach and player? Maybe he is the right doctor to cure Indian hockey. If not, what is the point in hiring him at all? The whole exercise would appear to be a waste of time for Charlesworth and money for the Indian Government.
There is still hope as he has not completely ruled out coming back to India. He has made it crystal clear that he does not want to be in any kind of advisory role and payments due to him must be made.If it is decided to retain his services, India would be better off taking a few tips from this sporting legend.
VIVEK PHADNIS
HOCKEY Ric Charlesworth episode
Bitter medicine for the Aussie doctor
Things never seem to change in Indian sport. Callous attitudes, disregard for a good player or coach, ego clashes, bad planning and many such reasons have ensured that sport in India continues to be mediocre at best.
The recent episode of Indian hockeys technical advisor Ric Charlesworth allegedly quitting his post after being fed up with the way things work in the country has hopefully made people sit up and take notice. As if failing to qualify for the Olympics was not enough for people to get serious about hockey! After the previous regime of the Indian Hockey Federation led by KPSGill tumbled, one would have thought things would improve for the better. But sadly, the lessons have not been learnt. It looks like people do not want to make afresh beginning to try and regain the glory days of Indian hockey.
Charlesworth was a man full of hope when he came to India. He had just quit as the high-performance manager of the New Zealand cricket team. This legendary Australian had that fire in the belly. Obviously a big fan of Indian skill, he wanted to coach the country to gold medals at the highest levels.
It is believed that his Indian assignment is costing about $150,000 a year. He was to get this amount from the Indian Government and the International HockeyFederation (FIH), which is keen to promote hockey in India. Charlesworth has always wanted to coach the senior mens team but according to him, his role was not clearly defined. After hiring a good coach like him and agreeing to pay a hefty sum, the question is why is he not being allowed to work freely. Indian hockey is in tatters.
Why not give a chance, and a free hand, to someone like Charlesworth to try things out his way? Why not use his services when he is being paid a handsome sum. If not, what is the point in having him in India at all? It all looked rosy when the former Australian captain arrived in the country. He had not realised how tough things are really in India, something he admitted recently. A contract was given but not to his satisfaction. The usual dilly-dallying from the authorities followed.
The fact is that Charlesworth has had no opportunity to feel at home or love his job. It has been trouble and hardship all along. He received cold shoulders from people occupying the hot seats. Being here as the advisor, there was no one to consider his advice. It was always a case of who is he to tell me how to do things? Ultimately, the Indian Olympic Association also came out to say that he is not needed in India.
The previous office-bearers in the IHF have left the game in a mess. With the adhoc committee taking over after Gill and Cos ouster, it seemed that things would improve. But that has not happened so far. There is an absolute need for all to work together India are to nurse any hope of improving. Why not listen to someone who has led Australian teams to gold medals, both as a coach and player? Maybe he is the right doctor to cure Indian hockey. If not, what is the point in hiring him at all? The whole exercise would appear to be a waste of time for Charlesworth and money for the Indian Government.
There is still hope as he has not completely ruled out coming back to India. He has made it crystal clear that he does not want to be in any kind of advisory role and payments due to him must be made.If it is decided to retain his services, India would be better off taking a few tips from this sporting legend.
VIVEK PHADNIS
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
IOA plans interviews for Indian Hockey Coach
Indian Olympics Association (IOA),which has been taking care of the dissolved Indian Hockey Federation(IHF), has announced that it will conduct 'walk-in' interviews for coaches for Indian Hockey team.
This step, I feel, should bring in some appreciation from the Hockey intelligensia.
What it means?
It means that from hereonwards, coaches will not be appointed/dropped at the whims and fantasies of the adminstrators. This, I feel, is a step towards a process oriented approach. How transparently process is implemented comes later on.
Atleast, the people who apply for the post will have to think before they apply for the post. Also, there will be more transparency as to who are the front runners for the post. Moreover, the administrators will have point out 'logical points' why they chose one and rejected others.
Overall, I welcome this step and see it the begining of:
1) Transparency
2) Process oriented approach
3) Better accountability from both sides - the administrators and the coaches.
Contract system is something that I wait for as this good news sinks in....
This step, I feel, should bring in some appreciation from the Hockey intelligensia.
What it means?
It means that from hereonwards, coaches will not be appointed/dropped at the whims and fantasies of the adminstrators. This, I feel, is a step towards a process oriented approach. How transparently process is implemented comes later on.
Atleast, the people who apply for the post will have to think before they apply for the post. Also, there will be more transparency as to who are the front runners for the post. Moreover, the administrators will have point out 'logical points' why they chose one and rejected others.
Overall, I welcome this step and see it the begining of:
1) Transparency
2) Process oriented approach
3) Better accountability from both sides - the administrators and the coaches.
Contract system is something that I wait for as this good news sinks in....
Monday, July 14, 2008
Olympians-Explained in Indian Hockey context
What's the difference between
Aslam Sher Khan and Ric Charlesworth?
Sandeep Singh and Taeke TAEKEMA?
Pargat Singh and Bevan George?
They all are "Olympians" but the only difference is one has not won an Olympic medal whereas other one has.
Whereas I have full respect for all players who represented the country at any point of time, I feel the nomenclature should be appropraite and what one really deserves.
I thought of something like:
Players' name (n O)
where
n: is the number of Gold medals won in Olympics
So, how about:
Olympian Aslam Sher Khan (0 O)
Olympian Dhanraj Pillay (o O)
Olympian V Bhaskaran (1 O)
Olympian Pargat Singh (0 O)
Olympian Balbir Singh(3 O)
Olympian Ashish Ballal (0 O)
Olympian A B Subbaiah (o O)
Olympian Zafar Iqbal (1 O)
Olympian Ajit Pal Singh (0 O)
...........................................the list can go on.
If you don't agree, you can suggest one to me..!
Today's generations' memory is only till the time they saw something in front of them or LIVE on TV. So, the above terminology is open to further proposed update....
Aslam Sher Khan and Ric Charlesworth?
Sandeep Singh and Taeke TAEKEMA?
Pargat Singh and Bevan George?
They all are "Olympians" but the only difference is one has not won an Olympic medal whereas other one has.
Whereas I have full respect for all players who represented the country at any point of time, I feel the nomenclature should be appropraite and what one really deserves.
I thought of something like:
where
n: is the number of Gold medals won in Olympics
So, how about:
Olympian Aslam Sher Khan (0 O)
Olympian Dhanraj Pillay (o O)
Olympian V Bhaskaran (1 O)
Olympian Pargat Singh (0 O)
Olympian Balbir Singh(3 O)
Olympian Ashish Ballal (0 O)
Olympian A B Subbaiah (o O)
Olympian Zafar Iqbal (1 O)
Olympian Ajit Pal Singh (0 O)
...........................................the list can go on.
If you don't agree, you can suggest one to me..!
Today's generations' memory is only till the time they saw something in front of them or LIVE on TV. So, the above terminology is open to further proposed update....
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Decline of Indian Hockey Administration....
Kal kuch rahe na rahe .... I am sure, Hockey will be played in Punjab, Haryana, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bhopal and Maharashtra. People who play a sport mostly play for their pleasure. 10 years later, you will still have a Diwakar Ram. So, what is declining ...? .... it's only Indian Hockey adminstration.
When the Junior Asia Cup should have got all the attention, the media is focussing on:
1) Whether or not Gill will give back the trophy or not?
2) Opinions of all "Bhartiya Hockey ke Shubh Chintak", with regards to Charlesworth episode.
3) How India is about to loose being the host to the World Cup 2010.
4) What may happen in the last 3 days of the tournament when the FIH officials come in.
5) Then, to top it all, we have comment from Balbir Singh, Sr.
Sometimes, I find it embarrasing to tell my friends that I am a Hockey fan. Just being polite to me, they don't ask me but their eyes say it all, "What is there to be a fan of it?".
The beauty of democracy is, "Right to opinion". Doesn't matter whether you have the facts or figures but if you have an opinion, there is always a platform to voice it and then reach out to the world. MS Gill, Sher Khan, Md. Aslam, Pargat Singh. You name one person and they always have an "opinion" based on everything but facts and figures.
If, without watching a movie, people can file PILs saying that this movie is portraying someone in bad light OR without knowing anything about Nuclear deal, Mayawati can say it is anti-Muslim, then I feel Balbir Singh or Pargat Singh or for that matter MS Gill can say whatever is their 'opinion'.
The sad portion comes when this "opinion" reflects the "attitude" of the admininstrators. Aslam Sher Khan, the chief of ad-hoc Selection Committee, has announced that India is in need of a Coach! .... Oops, Charlesworth leave just now or else we would have had one. No worries, the post is open now!
Sher Khan saheb, my question to you: "Did you watch 1 match of Champions Trophy?". The Eurpoeans and Kookaburas have gone far beyond Indian Hockey! I hope atleast 1 person, whom you would believe, must have told you that.
OK, let's see it from another perspective! If you feel that Indian Hockey will be back to "those days", then you will have to beat Netherlands, Australia, Argentina, Germany, Spain and last but not the least, Great Britain! How can we do that?
1) Have an extensive analysis of their game! - by watching their game, their players, recording matches and then do a technical dissection of each and every individuals' game.If we can't do this, we can't beat them. Indeed, we don't do any of those.
2) A team of coaches visit the whole World and see how innovative methodology is being used to develop the sport in leaps and bounds. Then, implement it. Indeed, we don't do any of it.
3) That leaves us what they did to us. They came to us to learn. Let's do that. There is no harm in learning, right? If you don't like what they teach, just discard it! But let's see what secrets they have got to share with us. The foriegners are medal winners, they will surely ask for money. Balbir Singh ji, "Kisi se kuch seekhne ko mile, ismein tou koi buraayi nahin hai na?"
A lot of well-known people say that,"Indian Hockey needs to start from scratch" or "Indian Hockey needs some 5 years to recover".
My question is,
What is road map of the same?
What are the milestones?
What is the interim plan for the failures?
What's the plan to measure the success of the road map?
Here's another take: Every team (in any sport) that is ranked no. 1 in the World or "wins" (please read it as "wins" only) some prestigious tournaments has a model on which they work for atleast an year. It's always something which is innovative and when the World comes to know about it, they learn from it. Let's see it the reverse way, do we have some innovative model on which we work?
If you see it from a different angle, Balbir Singh is a honest person. Atleast, he said his mind. Others, first create a situation where they leave others with no options, and finally while facing the media, they say, "We wanted people to work with us, but they left in haste."
Indian Hockey is in more news (for whatever reasons) than it was before Gill and Jothikumaran were shown the door.
To all "Shubh Chintak of Bhartiya Hockey": Just remember, Gill is watching ... and I am sure he must smiling at all of you.....because you are continuing his (destructive) work!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Bremen 4 nation Women Hockey, Germany
The following are the results to Bremen Four Nation Women Hockey Tournament, Germany, 4-6 July 2008.
4th July:
Korea v USA: 5-3
1:0 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 5.)
1:1 Keli Smith (11.)
2:1 Young Ran Kim (12.)
-----------------
2:2 Tiffany Snow (PC, 40.)
2:3 Tiffany Snow (45.)
3:3 Sung Hee Gim (PC, 53.)
4:3 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 57.)
5:3 Mi Hyun Park (PC, 59.)
Germany v India: 7-2
1:0 Maike Stöckel (17.)
2:0 Anke Kühn (32.)
----------------------
3:0 Maike Stöckel (40.)
3:1 Rani (46.)
4:1 Janine Beermann (47.)
4:2 Chanchan Thockchom (48.)
5:2 Katharina Scholz (58.)
6:2 Eileen Hoffmann (62.)
7:2 Natascha Keller (63.)
5th July:
Korea v Germany: 2-2
1:0 Maike Stöckel (26.)
2:0 Tina Bachmann (31.)
----------------------
2:1 Mi Seon Kim (42.)
2:2 Sung Hee Gim (PC, 63.)
USA v India: 1-1
0:1 Surinder Kaur (PC, 4.)
1:1 Kelly Doton (PC, 32.)
6th July:
Korea v India: 9-2
1:0 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 18.)
2:0 Jeong Sook Park (19.)
2:1 Rani (21.)
3:1 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 28.)
-----------------
4:1 Mi Young Eum (41.)
5:1 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 43.)
6:1 Mi Seon Kim (48.)
7:1 Da Rae Kim (58.)
8:1 Sung Hee Gim (PC, 60.)
8:2 Subhadra Pradhan (63.)
9:2 Sung Hee Gim (PC, 70.)
Germany v USA: 7-2
1:0 Anke Kühn (PC, 1.)
2:0 Fanny Rinne (PC, 10.)
3:0 Eileen Hoffmann (26.)
4:0 Natascha Keller (31.)
----------------------
4:1 Carrie Lingo (50.)
5:1 Eileen Hoffmann (60.)
6:1 Janine Beermann (62.)
6:2 Tiffany Snow (63.)
7:2 Natascha Keller (69.)
Final Standings:
1. Germany
2. Korea
3. USA
4. India
Source: http://www.usfieldhockey.com/results/women/2008/wnt_germany_fournations.html
http://www.bremenhockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=BRE
4th July:
Korea v USA: 5-3
1:0 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 5.)
1:1 Keli Smith (11.)
2:1 Young Ran Kim (12.)
-----------------
2:2 Tiffany Snow (PC, 40.)
2:3 Tiffany Snow (45.)
3:3 Sung Hee Gim (PC, 53.)
4:3 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 57.)
5:3 Mi Hyun Park (PC, 59.)
Germany v India: 7-2
1:0 Maike Stöckel (17.)
2:0 Anke Kühn (32.)
----------------------
3:0 Maike Stöckel (40.)
3:1 Rani (46.)
4:1 Janine Beermann (47.)
4:2 Chanchan Thockchom (48.)
5:2 Katharina Scholz (58.)
6:2 Eileen Hoffmann (62.)
7:2 Natascha Keller (63.)
5th July:
Korea v Germany: 2-2
1:0 Maike Stöckel (26.)
2:0 Tina Bachmann (31.)
----------------------
2:1 Mi Seon Kim (42.)
2:2 Sung Hee Gim (PC, 63.)
USA v India: 1-1
0:1 Surinder Kaur (PC, 4.)
1:1 Kelly Doton (PC, 32.)
6th July:
Korea v India: 9-2
1:0 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 18.)
2:0 Jeong Sook Park (19.)
2:1 Rani (21.)
3:1 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 28.)
-----------------
4:1 Mi Young Eum (41.)
5:1 Seon Ok Lee (PC, 43.)
6:1 Mi Seon Kim (48.)
7:1 Da Rae Kim (58.)
8:1 Sung Hee Gim (PC, 60.)
8:2 Subhadra Pradhan (63.)
9:2 Sung Hee Gim (PC, 70.)
Germany v USA: 7-2
1:0 Anke Kühn (PC, 1.)
2:0 Fanny Rinne (PC, 10.)
3:0 Eileen Hoffmann (26.)
4:0 Natascha Keller (31.)
----------------------
4:1 Carrie Lingo (50.)
5:1 Eileen Hoffmann (60.)
6:1 Janine Beermann (62.)
6:2 Tiffany Snow (63.)
7:2 Natascha Keller (69.)
Final Standings:
1. Germany
2. Korea
3. USA
4. India
Source: http://www.usfieldhockey.com/results/women/2008/wnt_germany_fournations.html
http://www.bremenhockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=BRE
Monday, June 23, 2008
yet again murmurs....
I was always told by my parents, "Beta, clear IIT-JEE exam and that will make your life."
Getting into IIT is one thing and then continously evolving from there is something completely different. It took a while to understand that.
I always wonder, a lot of people in Hockey circles must have told others: "Just visit Olympics, don't worry about 'medals' and that will make your life"
Whether or not you learn to coach after that or if at all you watch any international matches or did you actually win any medals in Olympics or how quickly have moved on in "Hockey Technology" or what have you contributed at the grass root levels, doesn't really matter. What you achieved 10 .. or 20 .. or may be, 30 years back, will keep getting you glory forever.
That is where our Indian Hockey is .... still cashing on that glory..!!
Ric Charlesworth says in one of the TV interviews:
I think you have to keep learning from your opponents. This was one of the greatest mistakes that India made.
He hasn't left anything to imagination. He has literally made our Hockey stark naked, by saying the above line.
Anyhow .. let's talk something else ..
Once I had gone to one of the IIMs and there one of the very learned professors told something like, "How about trying to write your own obituary?". Different idea, for sure!
I was quite enthused and wrote it and went to the professor in a minute. She smiled and told me, "This is fine but I want you to put a little thought into it and think that when people read it, what is it that they will remember about you? So, think of your qualities that you wish to be remembered for."
I thought about it and realized the depth of the exercise.
Many a times, some of us, live for ourselves and fail to take some selfless decisions.
A lot of us can benefit from this exercise, including Hockey professionals!
There is no harm in attending a few courses at one of the IIMs...!
Getting into IIT is one thing and then continously evolving from there is something completely different. It took a while to understand that.
I always wonder, a lot of people in Hockey circles must have told others: "Just visit Olympics, don't worry about 'medals' and that will make your life"
Whether or not you learn to coach after that or if at all you watch any international matches or did you actually win any medals in Olympics or how quickly have moved on in "Hockey Technology" or what have you contributed at the grass root levels, doesn't really matter. What you achieved 10 .. or 20 .. or may be, 30 years back, will keep getting you glory forever.
That is where our Indian Hockey is .... still cashing on that glory..!!
Ric Charlesworth says in one of the TV interviews:
I think you have to keep learning from your opponents. This was one of the greatest mistakes that India made.
He hasn't left anything to imagination. He has literally made our Hockey stark naked, by saying the above line.
Anyhow .. let's talk something else ..
Once I had gone to one of the IIMs and there one of the very learned professors told something like, "How about trying to write your own obituary?". Different idea, for sure!
I was quite enthused and wrote it and went to the professor in a minute. She smiled and told me, "This is fine but I want you to put a little thought into it and think that when people read it, what is it that they will remember about you? So, think of your qualities that you wish to be remembered for."
I thought about it and realized the depth of the exercise.
Many a times, some of us, live for ourselves and fail to take some selfless decisions.
A lot of us can benefit from this exercise, including Hockey professionals!
There is no harm in attending a few courses at one of the IIMs...!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Azlan Shah SILVER and Sandeep Singh
Last week, it was a wonderful show of courage, determination and, of course, Hockey. After Chile disaster, and not so encouraging performances in Australia in 4 nation series in Perth and Darwin, it was yet again disastrous start for India in 17th Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia. When they went down to Newzealand and Argentina, all felt that it may be the same story in a row.
But then straight victories against Canada, Belgium, Pakistan and Malaysia saw Indians contesting for the Gold Medal. Pakistan, who put up a wonderful show by winning 3 and 1 draw, lost their 5th match against Belgium. In their last match, they went down to India by 1-2. The last this happened in Azlan Shah was in 1991.
India had already won everyone's heart by reaching the finals. Full credit to their valiant performance in the final, India managed a SILVER and has silenced everyone. We all are seeing a ray of hope when it comes to the turf game.
A close friend remarked surprisingly, "An invitational tournament and a SILVER! Looks like the expectations are very low! Thats why you too look so happy". He was right. Possibly, my (or in this matter, everyone's) expecatations are low from the team.
But I feel that all the players and staff deserve a pat on the back after what they did in Ipoh, Malaysia. However, I wish to express few things that we may be forgetting in this happiness:
1) Slap shot conversion and defense on that shot is something we are weak on. All the instances where we failed to convert and ones where we conceeded, needs to be analyzed.
2) There is a popular saying, "Too many cooks spoil the broth". I wonder the former brilliant defender, Pargat Singh, is suited for a "Manager" role. I feel his services can better be utilised with a technical post.
3) A team full of junior players stands 2nd in Azlan Shah (and not-qualified for Olympics Argentines grab GOLD). All other 4 Olympic qualified teams, who travel to Beijing, feature down the list. I see something missing in Olympics Field Hockey category as far as competitiveness is concerned. I hope FIH took note of the developments in Azlan Shah.
4) Few days back, Ramesh Parmeshwaran was featured in an article in leading dailies in Bangalore and was given 40% space on the page! All through the Azlan Shah tournament the sports section never got that much space as that one Parmeshwaran article got. What is given more importance in Hockey, a tournament or out of arena people, is something I keep thinking about!
Last but not least, Sandeep Singh gave a statement today that the last regime did this ..that ... blah .. blah!! Sandeep Singh is one of the best drag flicker in the World, no doubts! He proved it with the stick in his hand in Malaysia! A verbal outburst can be avoided in this case, I felt.
Hockey management can brainstorm on the idea of a media manager and code of conduct for players to avoid such happenings. It affects the image of Hockey and it affects badly, sadly!
Negative and unneccesary avoidable media coverage is another reason why Hockey fails to connect with people. There is a need for players staying positive when it comes to Media communication. When Sandeep Singh says something about the previous regime, we say, "Yeah, Hockey is like this only." To improve the popularity and image of the game, you can showcase the victories, positive points better. Cribbing about the past, results only in negative publicity of the game and, unfortunately, this is what Hockey boasts off!
P.S.:
Sandeep Singh ji, my 2 cents on what you said: It's easy to comment on history. Keep inspiring us with your on-turf activities!
But then straight victories against Canada, Belgium, Pakistan and Malaysia saw Indians contesting for the Gold Medal. Pakistan, who put up a wonderful show by winning 3 and 1 draw, lost their 5th match against Belgium. In their last match, they went down to India by 1-2. The last this happened in Azlan Shah was in 1991.
India had already won everyone's heart by reaching the finals. Full credit to their valiant performance in the final, India managed a SILVER and has silenced everyone. We all are seeing a ray of hope when it comes to the turf game.
A close friend remarked surprisingly, "An invitational tournament and a SILVER! Looks like the expectations are very low! Thats why you too look so happy". He was right. Possibly, my (or in this matter, everyone's) expecatations are low from the team.
But I feel that all the players and staff deserve a pat on the back after what they did in Ipoh, Malaysia. However, I wish to express few things that we may be forgetting in this happiness:
1) Slap shot conversion and defense on that shot is something we are weak on. All the instances where we failed to convert and ones where we conceeded, needs to be analyzed.
2) There is a popular saying, "Too many cooks spoil the broth". I wonder the former brilliant defender, Pargat Singh, is suited for a "Manager" role. I feel his services can better be utilised with a technical post.
3) A team full of junior players stands 2nd in Azlan Shah (and not-qualified for Olympics Argentines grab GOLD). All other 4 Olympic qualified teams, who travel to Beijing, feature down the list. I see something missing in Olympics Field Hockey category as far as competitiveness is concerned. I hope FIH took note of the developments in Azlan Shah.
4) Few days back, Ramesh Parmeshwaran was featured in an article in leading dailies in Bangalore and was given 40% space on the page! All through the Azlan Shah tournament the sports section never got that much space as that one Parmeshwaran article got. What is given more importance in Hockey, a tournament or out of arena people, is something I keep thinking about!
Last but not least, Sandeep Singh gave a statement today that the last regime did this ..that ... blah .. blah!! Sandeep Singh is one of the best drag flicker in the World, no doubts! He proved it with the stick in his hand in Malaysia! A verbal outburst can be avoided in this case, I felt.
Hockey management can brainstorm on the idea of a media manager and code of conduct for players to avoid such happenings. It affects the image of Hockey and it affects badly, sadly!
Negative and unneccesary avoidable media coverage is another reason why Hockey fails to connect with people. There is a need for players staying positive when it comes to Media communication. When Sandeep Singh says something about the previous regime, we say, "Yeah, Hockey is like this only." To improve the popularity and image of the game, you can showcase the victories, positive points better. Cribbing about the past, results only in negative publicity of the game and, unfortunately, this is what Hockey boasts off!
P.S.:
Sandeep Singh ji, my 2 cents on what you said: It's easy to comment on history. Keep inspiring us with your on-turf activities!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Curtains for the Gill and Jothikumaran era ...
I have been obsessed by events that mark the closing of an era in the existence of human kind, hence the title.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) yesterday gave out the strongest message to all Sporting Associations by dissolving the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) following grave corruption charges on it's Secretary.
IOA was under tremendous pressure from Federation of International Hockey (FIH) to intervene in the Hockey affairs of the country or else be prepared with dire consequences of 1) loosing the hosting of World Cup in 2010 and 2) De-recognizing of IHF by FIH. That would have meant Hockey doesn't exist in India when it comes to World Hockey.
Suresh Kalmadi, President, IOA, declared the decision and has appointed a team of 5 classy former international players to form the selection committee and assured a democratic set up (via elections) within 6 months.
At last, without much dispute, most of the Hockey circle people are jubiliant! Be it any reason, everyone 'hated' the whole system that. (Many were a part of that system and what did one do to clean it up is debateable). Alas, Chile debacle, World Cup 2010 withdrawl threat, International Hockey body intervention and a TV Channel sting operation proved conducive in the clean up work.
But I feel, this marks the start of tuftest times for Hockey.
There is lot of chance that history of 1994 is repeated. It was a low time when the supercop took over (democratically) and started reforming various aspects of the game. Few years later, it became a (power) game that had concern for everything in it but Hockey.
Here are my 2 cents on the future:
1) Get everything on paper.
2) Put up a thorough democratic system in place that cannot be exploited by power-hungry people. Have tenure and responsibilities fixed for all posts.
3) Do a short term, mid long term and long term planning for the game.
4) Develop a contract system for all the players and coaches. Put up things like: Code of Conduct, Match fees, Contract fees and things that bring across more credibility to the system.
5) Wake up all the de-funct State Associations and tighten up the screws if they don't perform.
6) Take steps to encourage Hockey at the grass root levels.
7) Take up and promote 'professionalism' in this game. For this, the people in power have to refrain from character assasination, personalised remarks on each other, forget the idea of punishing the people in the past and above all, learn to MOVE ON!
8) Second, just because a person has played great Hockey in his times doesn't entitle him to be a Sports Adminstrator! So, weigh people professionaly and not emotionally! There are ways to get the best of each one but don't put them in positions where they don't fit in.
9) Lastly, If you don't have any other model to work on, there is nothing wrong in learning from an existing successful model, Cricket.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) yesterday gave out the strongest message to all Sporting Associations by dissolving the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) following grave corruption charges on it's Secretary.
IOA was under tremendous pressure from Federation of International Hockey (FIH) to intervene in the Hockey affairs of the country or else be prepared with dire consequences of 1) loosing the hosting of World Cup in 2010 and 2) De-recognizing of IHF by FIH. That would have meant Hockey doesn't exist in India when it comes to World Hockey.
Suresh Kalmadi, President, IOA, declared the decision and has appointed a team of 5 classy former international players to form the selection committee and assured a democratic set up (via elections) within 6 months.
At last, without much dispute, most of the Hockey circle people are jubiliant! Be it any reason, everyone 'hated' the whole system that. (Many were a part of that system and what did one do to clean it up is debateable). Alas, Chile debacle, World Cup 2010 withdrawl threat, International Hockey body intervention and a TV Channel sting operation proved conducive in the clean up work.
But I feel, this marks the start of tuftest times for Hockey.
There is lot of chance that history of 1994 is repeated. It was a low time when the supercop took over (democratically) and started reforming various aspects of the game. Few years later, it became a (power) game that had concern for everything in it but Hockey.
Here are my 2 cents on the future:
1) Get everything on paper.
2) Put up a thorough democratic system in place that cannot be exploited by power-hungry people. Have tenure and responsibilities fixed for all posts.
3) Do a short term, mid long term and long term planning for the game.
4) Develop a contract system for all the players and coaches. Put up things like: Code of Conduct, Match fees, Contract fees and things that bring across more credibility to the system.
5) Wake up all the de-funct State Associations and tighten up the screws if they don't perform.
6) Take steps to encourage Hockey at the grass root levels.
7) Take up and promote 'professionalism' in this game. For this, the people in power have to refrain from character assasination, personalised remarks on each other, forget the idea of punishing the people in the past and above all, learn to MOVE ON!
8) Second, just because a person has played great Hockey in his times doesn't entitle him to be a Sports Adminstrator! So, weigh people professionaly and not emotionally! There are ways to get the best of each one but don't put them in positions where they don't fit in.
9) Lastly, If you don't have any other model to work on, there is nothing wrong in learning from an existing successful model, Cricket.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Hockey low in news, so what's next?
I had a wierd dream, a couple of nights back. I woke up feeling tired with a headache. Let's not get into dream analysis but what I saw was amazing. Here it is:
Following Chak De India, there is another Hockey based movie that has released. In the city of Delhi, I go to see the movie. The movie is about the current state of affairs in Hockey, primarily off the field. It has nearly everyone that I have seen on television in the past few weeks: Gill, Carvalho, Charlesworth, players, coaches, journalists.
It was a gripping plot, however the end of the movie was quite sarcastic. Amidst massive chaos, there comes a caption, ".. and this continues..." and guess what? The movie ends!!
In a complete bamboozled state of mind, I come out of theatre and meet a few people related to Hockey and express how miserable I feel after watching the movie.
That's the end of dream.
When I woke up, I felt that the dream was no different from reality. The buzz is going down. There is much more lined up for the public. Olympic Torch crisis, Tibetian massacre, hard hitting Inflation, Advani's book, Nuclear deal and last but not the least Sehwag and the test series. So, automatically, Indian Hockey goes to the backburner.
Past few weeks the media hasn't covered much of what really happened in those meetings of Charlersworth, Gill, Carvalho. Even if it did, there was not much intensity in it. So, see how public memory works:
India looses in Olympics Qualifier. You make it a news for 7 days. A person who doesn't know anything about Hockey, now knows one thing: Indian Hockey is in shambles and there are a couple of villians who are sitting at the top who have spoiled the game. That's all. Over! You blew it up when they lost and left a indelible mark in public's memories. You know what mark did you leave! No follow up ... nothing. Positively created a negative impression and doomed the game!
Sometimes, I feel that media is against Gill because Gill knows how to not get affected by intense criticism. The more you criticize, more he prefers not to react. For sure, he is made of iron. He proved victorious in 1998. He has nearly come out victorious now as well.
(I have a feeling that some Gandhigiri may work in this case)
Past couple of days I have been reading in the dailies that Indian Men team are training in SAI Center, Bangalore. Today, the players came up with a statement stating that it's not association, it's not the adminstration, it's their fault that they couldn't execute the plan to perfection!
Come on yaar, you are forgetting a crucial fact! You played 2 matches against Britain! Had you played well in the first one, I would have digested your argument. If you just watch the video of your own match, you, as a pure Hockey viewer, will admit that they were much much better than you in all parts of the game! I, as a Hockey enthusiast, would like to take your argument on the face value but I have a strange feeling. Do you really feel so? or you are being told to say so?
There is a positive side of all the created hype as well. Women Hockey has started getting coverage now! Charlesworth along with M K Kaushik are in Lucknow with the Womens Hockey team rubbing them to the core. I have absolute faith in both. As I wait for the Women Olympics Qualifiers to start, I just hope that Women Hockey gets a better (read it: positive) coverage...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Hail P T Usha ... I respect you to the core...
This blog is related to Hockey in a indirect way.
Have a look at this article on Rediff Sports: (copy pasted below, as well)
http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/mar/17usha.htm
The point here is not who is great and who is not.
Anju Bobby George was asked a question by the media that why doesn't she has P T Usha as her idol? (How media persons reached to this question can be very interesting...let's not worry about it). Anju George must be an honest person and she voiced her opinion without worrying about the consequences. She says that she doesn't see anything worthwhile in Usha that she should treat P T Usha as her idol.
But it's not simple here when it comes to public statements. There is a potential news here, dude! So, P T Usha is approached with Anju George's comment.
P T Usha has 2 choices:
1) Start off a massive controversy as to how a youngster can treat her like this, she doesn't have any knowledge of times of 80s and she is unfit to say so. She never participated in LA Olympics in 1984? The icing on the cake for P T Usha could be by comparing their achievements and then coming out of it 'victorious'.
2) Express your discontent but give a statement that douses off the matter completely and you come out in flying colours!
This is what she did! .. This is what I call professionalism. That is why I respect you, Ms P T Usha. You have set a marvellous example of professionalism and maturity.
You may say that P T Usha wasn't couragous enough to fight back or avoided controversy. Yeah, may be. But still to give such a statement makes me respect her. She commands respect and not demands it...!
I feel, this is a wonderful example of professionalism for all any sports in our country!
For my reference:
PT Usha has not taken kindly to Anju Bobby George's remarks that the "Payyoli Express" was not a world class athlete in her heydays, but said she would not comment on the ace long jumper's credentials as "she is just a child."
Anju, in a television interview, had said though she would not like to belittle Usha's achievements but would not consider her as a world class athlete.
She had obliquely hinted that Usha finished fourth in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics [Images] 400m hurdles because of the boycott by athletes from the erstwhile Eastern bloc.
When asked why Usha was not her idol, Anju said since the Kerala [Images] runner was not a world class athlete she could not be her idol.
"I am looking up to only world standard athletes," Anju had said in an interview to Malayala Manorama Television channel, adding "Milkha singh and Usha are only Asian level athletes."
Reacting to Anju's remarks, Usha said she would not want to hurt Anju now as that could affect her preparations for the Beijing [Images] Olympics.
"India is expecting a medal from Anju at the Beijing Olympics. If I answer to her comments, that will hurt her. I am not prepared to put her in such a mental state," she said.
"How can she (Anju) decide on my credentials? International Amateur Atheletic Federation had selected me in 1985 and 1986 as one of the best eight atheletes in the world," a hurt Usha responded.
"Anju is like a small child to me. I have seen her grow before my eyes. She has to grow further," Usha saidPT Usha has not taken kindly to Anju Bobby George's remarks that the "Payyoli Express" was not a world class athlete in her heydays, but said she would not comment on the ace long jumper's credentials as "she is just a child."
Anju, in a television interview, had said though she would not like to belittle Usha's achievements but would not consider her as a world class athlete.
She had obliquely hinted that Usha finished fourth in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics [Images] 400m hurdles because of the boycott by athletes from the erstwhile Eastern bloc.
When asked why Usha was not her idol, Anju said since the Kerala [Images] runner was not a world class athlete she could not be her idol.
"I am looking up to only world standard athletes," Anju had said in an interview to Malayala Manorama Television channel, adding "Milkha singh and Usha are only Asian level athletes."
Reacting to Anju's remarks, Usha said she would not want to hurt Anju now as that could affect her preparations for the Beijing [Images] Olympics.
"India is expecting a medal from Anju at the Beijing Olympics. If I answer to her comments, that will hurt her. I am not prepared to put her in such a mental state," she said.
"How can she (Anju) decide on my credentials? International Amateur Atheletic Federation had selected me in 1985 and 1986 as one of the best eight atheletes in the world," a hurt Usha responded.
"Anju is like a small child to me. I have seen her grow before my eyes. She has to grow further," Usha said
Have a look at this article on Rediff Sports: (copy pasted below, as well)
http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/mar/17usha.htm
The point here is not who is great and who is not.
Anju Bobby George was asked a question by the media that why doesn't she has P T Usha as her idol? (How media persons reached to this question can be very interesting...let's not worry about it). Anju George must be an honest person and she voiced her opinion without worrying about the consequences. She says that she doesn't see anything worthwhile in Usha that she should treat P T Usha as her idol.
But it's not simple here when it comes to public statements. There is a potential news here, dude! So, P T Usha is approached with Anju George's comment.
P T Usha has 2 choices:
1) Start off a massive controversy as to how a youngster can treat her like this, she doesn't have any knowledge of times of 80s and she is unfit to say so. She never participated in LA Olympics in 1984? The icing on the cake for P T Usha could be by comparing their achievements and then coming out of it 'victorious'.
2) Express your discontent but give a statement that douses off the matter completely and you come out in flying colours!
This is what she did! .. This is what I call professionalism. That is why I respect you, Ms P T Usha. You have set a marvellous example of professionalism and maturity.
You may say that P T Usha wasn't couragous enough to fight back or avoided controversy. Yeah, may be. But still to give such a statement makes me respect her. She commands respect and not demands it...!
I feel, this is a wonderful example of professionalism for all any sports in our country!
For my reference:
PT Usha has not taken kindly to Anju Bobby George's remarks that the "Payyoli Express" was not a world class athlete in her heydays, but said she would not comment on the ace long jumper's credentials as "she is just a child."
Anju, in a television interview, had said though she would not like to belittle Usha's achievements but would not consider her as a world class athlete.
She had obliquely hinted that Usha finished fourth in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics [Images] 400m hurdles because of the boycott by athletes from the erstwhile Eastern bloc.
When asked why Usha was not her idol, Anju said since the Kerala [Images] runner was not a world class athlete she could not be her idol.
"I am looking up to only world standard athletes," Anju had said in an interview to Malayala Manorama Television channel, adding "Milkha singh and Usha are only Asian level athletes."
Reacting to Anju's remarks, Usha said she would not want to hurt Anju now as that could affect her preparations for the Beijing [Images] Olympics.
"India is expecting a medal from Anju at the Beijing Olympics. If I answer to her comments, that will hurt her. I am not prepared to put her in such a mental state," she said.
"How can she (Anju) decide on my credentials? International Amateur Atheletic Federation had selected me in 1985 and 1986 as one of the best eight atheletes in the world," a hurt Usha responded.
"Anju is like a small child to me. I have seen her grow before my eyes. She has to grow further," Usha saidPT Usha has not taken kindly to Anju Bobby George's remarks that the "Payyoli Express" was not a world class athlete in her heydays, but said she would not comment on the ace long jumper's credentials as "she is just a child."
Anju, in a television interview, had said though she would not like to belittle Usha's achievements but would not consider her as a world class athlete.
She had obliquely hinted that Usha finished fourth in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics [Images] 400m hurdles because of the boycott by athletes from the erstwhile Eastern bloc.
When asked why Usha was not her idol, Anju said since the Kerala [Images] runner was not a world class athlete she could not be her idol.
"I am looking up to only world standard athletes," Anju had said in an interview to Malayala Manorama Television channel, adding "Milkha singh and Usha are only Asian level athletes."
Reacting to Anju's remarks, Usha said she would not want to hurt Anju now as that could affect her preparations for the Beijing [Images] Olympics.
"India is expecting a medal from Anju at the Beijing Olympics. If I answer to her comments, that will hurt her. I am not prepared to put her in such a mental state," she said.
"How can she (Anju) decide on my credentials? International Amateur Atheletic Federation had selected me in 1985 and 1986 as one of the best eight atheletes in the world," a hurt Usha responded.
"Anju is like a small child to me. I have seen her grow before my eyes. She has to grow further," Usha said
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Hockey - my real thoughts...
I feel:
1) Too much criticism doesn't help: Criticism can worry only those people who are democratically appointed because too much of it may pull them down in the next public elections. So, take it from me Gill will not be bothered at all, may what you do! The media tried in 1998 and it's 2008. Take it from me: Until and unless something happens from outside, he will do what he said,"I will not leave till the time things don't improve". You very well know it may take years for that to happen and if it improves then one should continue anyway, isn't it?
2) Talk less and do more: Why not have a "Hunger Strike" on one of the public places in Delhi? Have it like the way freedom fighters fought it with the British. Have a couple of Hockey players ready to die for the game and sit on hunger strike. Then, let's see how it doesn't shake up the Government bodies? It will charge up so much emotion from the country that the ones who come forward will become overnight mega-heros! Do it all states where the game is a cult!
3) The Power of ONE: Get all Hockey Players under one banner and do a Hockey strike in this Country? Don't touch your sticks till the time the Government doesn't respond. Go through the agony and freedom shall come your way!
But if you logic is player can only play, then, may be, you are not ready to sacrifice something!
4) Have the alternative ready: Mahatama Gandhi once said, "Resistance should always be to change things for the better. It must not be for anything else." Think about it! You are fighting for what? Gill or poor state of Hockey? If it is latter, few people should be ready with the alternate arrangement.
5) Last but not the least: Pick up a few books on Gandhian philosophy and take a few ideas and execute it.
If you believe in God, for his sake stop the empty criticism, do something constructive to move the authorities...
1) Too much criticism doesn't help: Criticism can worry only those people who are democratically appointed because too much of it may pull them down in the next public elections. So, take it from me Gill will not be bothered at all, may what you do! The media tried in 1998 and it's 2008. Take it from me: Until and unless something happens from outside, he will do what he said,"I will not leave till the time things don't improve". You very well know it may take years for that to happen and if it improves then one should continue anyway, isn't it?
2) Talk less and do more: Why not have a "Hunger Strike" on one of the public places in Delhi? Have it like the way freedom fighters fought it with the British. Have a couple of Hockey players ready to die for the game and sit on hunger strike. Then, let's see how it doesn't shake up the Government bodies? It will charge up so much emotion from the country that the ones who come forward will become overnight mega-heros! Do it all states where the game is a cult!
3) The Power of ONE: Get all Hockey Players under one banner and do a Hockey strike in this Country? Don't touch your sticks till the time the Government doesn't respond. Go through the agony and freedom shall come your way!
But if you logic is player can only play, then, may be, you are not ready to sacrifice something!
4) Have the alternative ready: Mahatama Gandhi once said, "Resistance should always be to change things for the better. It must not be for anything else." Think about it! You are fighting for what? Gill or poor state of Hockey? If it is latter, few people should be ready with the alternate arrangement.
5) Last but not the least: Pick up a few books on Gandhian philosophy and take a few ideas and execute it.
If you believe in God, for his sake stop the empty criticism, do something constructive to move the authorities...
Hockey - Talk show excerpts...
I was watching a talk show on one of private channels. Yes, the topic was, yet again, Hockey. Here is what the panelists said:
"I can get 25 crore to Indian Hockey in 1 year but people are not ready to give saying we don't want to give till the time Gill is there."
My Take: I feel it's a simple political statement - Typical words of a politician. We do have a budding (routine) politician here. Your statement didn't make much of a difference to me. I didn't bother to remember your name either.
"Why don't you (a former player) take up some position in your respective state Hockey association?" The addressed person (former Hockey player) answers: A player knows only to play, he can't get into adminstration.
My Take: Yes, that's why you suffer! That is what they said in Chak de India - "aap khiladi log hain .. khel se mutlab rakhiye na!" (you are players, please limit yourself to the game). That is what you are doing as well.
Sometimes when there is a lot of trash right of front of the house and the Municipality doesn't clean, what do you do? Pained to the core, one fine morning you get up, put on your half pants and broom in your hands you clean it up, don't you? Now, I agree with total respect that a player can only think of the game but there MUST be ATLEAST one player amongst you who feels really desperately for the game and wants to clean up? After all, leave aside the national pride, you are ones who have suffered the most? .. why not think of one of your own guys to take up the job? ..
Can you give us a kick start?
"Whenever police people have headed IHF, it has doomed the whole game altogether. In 1970's, when a police person took it up .. blah blah .. and now when Gill is there .. blah blah..."
My take: Leave those people in the past. Generalizing things from the past (and that too 35 years back) doesn't bring anything good to the present. It complicates the situation further. Stereotyping, although, comes from a few factual data but complete stereotyping may make one prejudiced, thereby blocking the mind altogether. But yeah, if that was meant for entertainment, I did get entertained (like the way I get when I watch a discussion in the Parliament)
"8 medals... 8 medals .. 8 medals ..."
My take: I feel the load of the pride of 8 Olympics Gold Medals is enormous! For a change, can we leave those medals in the past and concentrate ONLY on the present and the future without even mentioning them? I feel that we should leave that in the past and let it be there only.
"Astro turf spoiled it for India"
My take: Yes, you always wanted the things to go your way because you were champs when it used to be played on mud. You never adapted to change and that is why you feel so. However, it's been more than 10 years so, with turfs set up all over India, and it's a very petty excuse to even state on television. Leave mud grounds with the immortals along with their medals and think of today, i.e. Turf. There is no use of thinking of good old times and spoiling the days today!
Last but not the least, I feel there is difference between a talk amongst like minded friends and a talk on Television. Youth (of all generations) is very sensitive to what they hear. If you use your public appearances to voice something really petty that someone did, I am a little worried that the public may retain it for a long time. You may have brought down one individual but no ones' impression got lifted. That's where the irony is...
I wouldn't say the time was wasted because it was nice to hear some positive factual data about International Hockey...
"I can get 25 crore to Indian Hockey in 1 year but people are not ready to give saying we don't want to give till the time Gill is there."
My Take: I feel it's a simple political statement - Typical words of a politician. We do have a budding (routine) politician here. Your statement didn't make much of a difference to me. I didn't bother to remember your name either.
"Why don't you (a former player) take up some position in your respective state Hockey association?" The addressed person (former Hockey player) answers: A player knows only to play, he can't get into adminstration.
My Take: Yes, that's why you suffer! That is what they said in Chak de India - "aap khiladi log hain .. khel se mutlab rakhiye na!" (you are players, please limit yourself to the game). That is what you are doing as well.
Sometimes when there is a lot of trash right of front of the house and the Municipality doesn't clean, what do you do? Pained to the core, one fine morning you get up, put on your half pants and broom in your hands you clean it up, don't you? Now, I agree with total respect that a player can only think of the game but there MUST be ATLEAST one player amongst you who feels really desperately for the game and wants to clean up? After all, leave aside the national pride, you are ones who have suffered the most? .. why not think of one of your own guys to take up the job? ..
Can you give us a kick start?
"Whenever police people have headed IHF, it has doomed the whole game altogether. In 1970's, when a police person took it up .. blah blah .. and now when Gill is there .. blah blah..."
My take: Leave those people in the past. Generalizing things from the past (and that too 35 years back) doesn't bring anything good to the present. It complicates the situation further. Stereotyping, although, comes from a few factual data but complete stereotyping may make one prejudiced, thereby blocking the mind altogether. But yeah, if that was meant for entertainment, I did get entertained (like the way I get when I watch a discussion in the Parliament)
"8 medals... 8 medals .. 8 medals ..."
My take: I feel the load of the pride of 8 Olympics Gold Medals is enormous! For a change, can we leave those medals in the past and concentrate ONLY on the present and the future without even mentioning them? I feel that we should leave that in the past and let it be there only.
"Astro turf spoiled it for India"
My take: Yes, you always wanted the things to go your way because you were champs when it used to be played on mud. You never adapted to change and that is why you feel so. However, it's been more than 10 years so, with turfs set up all over India, and it's a very petty excuse to even state on television. Leave mud grounds with the immortals along with their medals and think of today, i.e. Turf. There is no use of thinking of good old times and spoiling the days today!
Last but not the least, I feel there is difference between a talk amongst like minded friends and a talk on Television. Youth (of all generations) is very sensitive to what they hear. If you use your public appearances to voice something really petty that someone did, I am a little worried that the public may retain it for a long time. You may have brought down one individual but no ones' impression got lifted. That's where the irony is...
I wouldn't say the time was wasted because it was nice to hear some positive factual data about International Hockey...
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Hockey Debacle
Hockey is selling like hot potato these days in media. With Cricket out of news for the time being, Hockey debacle is the most recent thing that is being talked about almost by everyone. When India won last time, how many tournaments India plays in a year, where all does India travel to play Hockey, a person may not know all this but he knows a few names, for sure: KPS Gill, Jyothikumaran, Batra, Joaquim Carvalho. To top it all, everyone, yet again, in wrong limelight!
All credit to media! It is selling everything that can be sold. Easiest possible selling item is to label a few for some debacle and then crucify them. I mean, they were the same people a few days back! Was everyone waiting for the debacle to happen to actually realize that Gill and company are responsible for the debacle? The answer is a sad 'Yes'.
Dude, Gill has been there for 14 years? He has created a system that has not voted him out of power since then! Every system is a reflection of how the audience is. Hockey lacks professionalism and so does its management. The unprofessional functioning of the system is being sold by the Media. Remember last year when India won the Asia Cup, I don't even remember reading about it these many days as I am reading about the debacle. The simple point is: Hockey win doesn't sell much but a Hockey failure does sell a lot!
A few months back, I was told by someone, "Boodhe sher (i.e. Gill) par kab tak kankad maarke kab tak news banayoge? (Till when can you generate news by pelting the old lion,i.e. Gill). The public is tired of negative publicity of the game."
The fact is: a thing that gives too much negative thoughts to the mind of a reader becomes painful and they prefer to refrain from it. This is what our media has done to Hockey. Over and over negative publicity, internal rivarly amongst the stalwarts, personalized criticism of Hockey players and coaches has spoiled everything for the game.
If you are really concerned about Indian Hockey and have a selfless desire for the upliftment of the game why not create a organized team of representatives, get into deep slush, dirty yourself as well and start off the clean up. I may be making a strong statement: Hockey academicians are scared of getting into the slush.
A few years back, I read that some Olympians got together and approached the President to disban the IHF and reconstitute it. Hello Sir?, it's understood that you have concern for the game but clearly visible is the fact that's not the way you can clean up the system. An autonomous body has one person heading it and he has become a dictator. Problem is not him, problem is you who being in Hockey for so many years haven't been able to remove him by the democratic means.
See the politics of Hockey:
- Selectors have a strong lobby amongst themselves. They can go to any extent in that.
- Everyone who get into coaching wants tries things 'his way'. It may work for some time. All this while everyone is waiting for him to fail and then crucify him taking the media way. No one comes out in support of such a bealeagured coach.
- Even in the selection of players at the state levels, major trafficing happens.
- Rajpal Singh says things in the press from Australia. Hello? I think media should have forgiven him for his statement, should have spared Hockey for that particular day and shouldn't have printed it all! For my dears readers it did nothing but, yet again, brought a bad name to the game as to how things are handled in Hockey.
Our game is being handled this way and, rightly, you have a similar person heading the federation, who doesn't buckle under media pressure.
Coming to the topic that has sparked the whole 'hangama', it's not because of Gill that the team lost. 11 players when they play and they win or loose, it's not because of Gill! I can give you 10 reasons why the team failed to perform and all of them remain exclusive of Gill. So, I don't buy the argument of sacking Gill and things will improve.
It's, yet again, a personalised attack on a person. I pray that your wishes are granted but I do fear that you may be praying the same a few years down the line.
Jagbir Singh, in one of his appearances, summed up the whole situation in 2 words: Professional Approach.
Ric Charlesworth will not be able to create wonders if the ambassadors of Indian Hockey don't start believing in 'Professional Approach'. He may end up his endeavour with us by saying that Indians are difficult to work with.
I can only hope that there is some way to clean up the slush without dirtying yourself.
Please note: With dew respect for each professional who has dreamt of Indian Hockey every night of his life, I want to tell that I also love to see Indian Hockey and players excel. I have watched matches in the middle of the night. However, I strongly feel 'we' ourselves are responsible for where 'we' are. No point in blaming a person per say in this matter. I don't watch much Cricket these days, but if all you feel that Cricket is what sells in this country it's only because of the whole system that they have developed around the 2 words - Professional Approach.
If at all, you want to clean the system come into the fray, cover yourself in slush, I will pray for you, gather support for you by going onto the streets and will tell my children tomorrow that Mr. X did something for Indian Hockey keeping aside all his personal interests and rivarly, rose over it and did something that changed the face of the game
All credit to media! It is selling everything that can be sold. Easiest possible selling item is to label a few for some debacle and then crucify them. I mean, they were the same people a few days back! Was everyone waiting for the debacle to happen to actually realize that Gill and company are responsible for the debacle? The answer is a sad 'Yes'.
Dude, Gill has been there for 14 years? He has created a system that has not voted him out of power since then! Every system is a reflection of how the audience is. Hockey lacks professionalism and so does its management. The unprofessional functioning of the system is being sold by the Media. Remember last year when India won the Asia Cup, I don't even remember reading about it these many days as I am reading about the debacle. The simple point is: Hockey win doesn't sell much but a Hockey failure does sell a lot!
A few months back, I was told by someone, "Boodhe sher (i.e. Gill) par kab tak kankad maarke kab tak news banayoge? (Till when can you generate news by pelting the old lion,i.e. Gill). The public is tired of negative publicity of the game."
The fact is: a thing that gives too much negative thoughts to the mind of a reader becomes painful and they prefer to refrain from it. This is what our media has done to Hockey. Over and over negative publicity, internal rivarly amongst the stalwarts, personalized criticism of Hockey players and coaches has spoiled everything for the game.
If you are really concerned about Indian Hockey and have a selfless desire for the upliftment of the game why not create a organized team of representatives, get into deep slush, dirty yourself as well and start off the clean up. I may be making a strong statement: Hockey academicians are scared of getting into the slush.
A few years back, I read that some Olympians got together and approached the President to disban the IHF and reconstitute it. Hello Sir?, it's understood that you have concern for the game but clearly visible is the fact that's not the way you can clean up the system. An autonomous body has one person heading it and he has become a dictator. Problem is not him, problem is you who being in Hockey for so many years haven't been able to remove him by the democratic means.
See the politics of Hockey:
- Selectors have a strong lobby amongst themselves. They can go to any extent in that.
- Everyone who get into coaching wants tries things 'his way'. It may work for some time. All this while everyone is waiting for him to fail and then crucify him taking the media way. No one comes out in support of such a bealeagured coach.
- Even in the selection of players at the state levels, major trafficing happens.
- Rajpal Singh says things in the press from Australia. Hello? I think media should have forgiven him for his statement, should have spared Hockey for that particular day and shouldn't have printed it all! For my dears readers it did nothing but, yet again, brought a bad name to the game as to how things are handled in Hockey.
Our game is being handled this way and, rightly, you have a similar person heading the federation, who doesn't buckle under media pressure.
Coming to the topic that has sparked the whole 'hangama', it's not because of Gill that the team lost. 11 players when they play and they win or loose, it's not because of Gill! I can give you 10 reasons why the team failed to perform and all of them remain exclusive of Gill. So, I don't buy the argument of sacking Gill and things will improve.
It's, yet again, a personalised attack on a person. I pray that your wishes are granted but I do fear that you may be praying the same a few years down the line.
Jagbir Singh, in one of his appearances, summed up the whole situation in 2 words: Professional Approach.
Ric Charlesworth will not be able to create wonders if the ambassadors of Indian Hockey don't start believing in 'Professional Approach'. He may end up his endeavour with us by saying that Indians are difficult to work with.
I can only hope that there is some way to clean up the slush without dirtying yourself.
Please note: With dew respect for each professional who has dreamt of Indian Hockey every night of his life, I want to tell that I also love to see Indian Hockey and players excel. I have watched matches in the middle of the night. However, I strongly feel 'we' ourselves are responsible for where 'we' are. No point in blaming a person per say in this matter. I don't watch much Cricket these days, but if all you feel that Cricket is what sells in this country it's only because of the whole system that they have developed around the 2 words - Professional Approach.
If at all, you want to clean the system come into the fray, cover yourself in slush, I will pray for you, gather support for you by going onto the streets and will tell my children tomorrow that Mr. X did something for Indian Hockey keeping aside all his personal interests and rivarly, rose over it and did something that changed the face of the game
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