My murmurs on Indian Hockey

Life has changed for us: Raffles’kids

2011-12-06T19:26:00.004+05:30

As Jude Felix Inter School Hockey Tournament came to a close today, with St. Joseph Indian High School (goal difference +32) followed closely by runners-up Vinay Kumar HS, Ananthpur (goal difference, +28), it came as a life changing experience for another underdogs team, the only International team in the tournament – Raffles Institution Singapore.

Raffles Institution, Singapore with the Fair Play Trophy at the Jude Felix Hockey Academy Inter School Tournament.

Raffles Institution, a 187 year old school in Singapore, is one of top-ranked schools in Singapore. Thanks to the patronage by their Hockey coach, Jude Felix, they got their 1st ever chance to play with Indian Hockey players – their only international Hockey outing in the past 2 years.

Hockey isn’t much known game in Singapore. The school has seen surprising results under Jude’s training - the school is amongst the favorites in various League tournaments in Singapore.

The team that came to Bangalore comprises of 15-16 year old children, which make them eligible for B-Division games in Singapore.

The children don’t know much about World Hockey, and in fact, their awareness beyond the annual Schools Tournament –their ultimate dream is to win it in the coming year – is very limited. Their access to Hockey is only through youtube. They see their coach, Jude Felix, as their role model. Many of them find it difficult to recall a few names of Singapore national level players.

In spite of all this, this bunch of enthusiastic children picked up the sport of Hockey, when they had an opportunity to pick other popular sports in Singapore, only because of their passion and the feeling of giving back something to Jude, whom they all fondly love and admire his commitment to the game. They say, he doesn’t take Hockey as a job. It is his passion.

The Raffles' Hockey Team

The children also know in a crystal clear manner that Hockey is a team game and that there is no place for individuality either.

“If a few children have problems with others off-the-field, we go and talk it out with them, remind them that on-the-field rivalry is not in the spirit of the game; there should be no differences on-the-turf,” says Harshveer.

The heart-warming and humbling experience for these kids is the interaction with the children from Maria Niketan, the orphanage where JFHA is based. The children have spent their 3 mornings at the orphanage, painting their walls with Hockey pictures and caricatures so that the wall of the environment looks more lively for the inmates.

“The experience with Maria Niketan children has changed our lives, forever. They are so kind and humble that we realize that they are so thankful to things they and we take almost everything for-granted,” says Ashraf, with an almost choked voice.

The Hockey experience also has left an indelible mark on their psyche,” The Indians play aggressive Hockey. They don’t waste a single moment on the ground. This is what we have learnt from them. Also, we play short passes amongst us, whereas, Indians are very good at long passes. For us, it’s more about technique and for the Indians, it’s about moving quickly on the field and controlling the pace of the game,” says Benjamin, the captain of the team.

About their on-field experience, Rishi, a forward, tells, “The team struggled in settling down here on the 1st day. But from the 2nd onwards, we were back to our style of Hockey.”

Indeed, that is true. Raffles Institution, who won the Fair Play Trophy at the tournament, was one of the teams with the tightest defense and the most disciplined mid-fielders – they always knew where their forwards and defenders are. Man-to-Man marking implemented by them was a treat to watch.

Having lost both their games on the opening day, they finished 3rd in the pool table. This should have been a big consolation for the team. Also, beating Maria Niketan – JFHA’s beneficiary - in the last game of the game 2-0, will be a special for them.

They thoroughly enjoyed the environment set-up by JFHA organizers, and felt that they never get such an environment, back in Singapore.

The only thing remains untouched in their Hockey lives is compliment and cheers during the game. “Yeah, it would be quite nice to have a few people cheering for us,” says Minxin, lost in the imagination of how it would be.

“Yeah, a few girls cheering would be good, too,” pitches another one with a naughty smile on his face.

The humane touch in India, unlike ever before in their lives, has left many of them overwhelmed.

“One child in the orphanage went around hugging everyone. That heartening sight is my take-back from this whole event,” says Ashraf close to breaking down as he vividly remembers the instance.

Jude Felix, with a few Raffles' Hockey team members.

Written on: 26th Nov '11

“We will play for India, one day!”

2011-12-06T19:18:00.002+05:30

“We should not get angry on our team-mates when they make a mistake of a wrong pass,” says a 12-13 year old boy with a glitter in his eyes.

“From Chak De India movie, I learnt how to stage a comeback in the next match after losing one,” a defender says.

“My role model is Santi Sir,” says another attacker of the team.

These are children from Vinay Kumar High School, Ananthpur. The school team is one of the outstation participants in the ongoing Jude Felix Hockey Academy Inter School Tournament, at KSHA Stadium, Bangalore.

Beaming with the confidence, they have out rightly come with one motive, “We are here to win.”

No upsets on the 1st day for them, as they beat both their opponent team comprehensively.

30 children from Vinay Kumar High School, Ananthpur are a part of Rural Development Trust (RDE), whose project ‘Stick For India’ is run by Spaniard players, Santi Freixa and Andreau Enrich.

The children follow a rigorous schedule with 4 hours of Hockey training every day, 2 hours each in morning and evening, not to forget the day that is spent at school. The children reside in hostel where RDE takes care of all their needs with continuous patronage from the Spaniards.

Most of the children are well-versed with high-tech Hockey terminologies – Strength, Endurance, Agility, co-ordination, 1-touch pass.

Having won U-17 Ananthpur district championships and Karnataka C-Division League, the team is well visible in the regional circuit. Not restricting their knowledge on the Hockey field, they very well know, where the Hockey legend, Dhyan Chand, stands in Hockey history and that it’s on his birthday, on 29th August, every year, our country celebrates Sports Day.

Very unlike other schools that play Hockey, the team members have found inspiration in a number of international players – Santi Freixa, Gurbaj Singh, Rajpal Singh, Adrian D’Souza, Pablo Amat, Sandeep Singh, etc. Moving on from the times of Dhanraj Pillay, our youth surely has more choice of role-models now!

However, living away from home, this hard life hasn’t dampened their spirits. They get to meet their parents only once a week or a fortnight, when the parents come to meet them at their hostels. For many of them, their parents’ sayings and remembering them gives them immense strength to perform well at their trainings, the matches and their academics.

So why only Hockey, and no other sport?

“Hockey is a very intelligent and risky game,” a player responds almost spontaneously, supported by others, “and when risk is involved, there is fun!”

One of the players fondly remembers a scene from Chak De India, where the players introduce themselves to the coach, “Initially the players say that they are from various states, and then, eventually, say that they are from India.”

An avid viewer of Hockey matches, the team went to New Delhi to watch the World Cup ’10 and doesn’t miss a match broadcasted LIVE on television.

India v Spain match at the last World Cup was a heart-break for many. So, didn’t they want Spain to win because many of their role-models are Spaniards?

“No! Never! We are Indians,” is the immediate, aggressive and loud response, without a second delay.

Almost all players in this team, with reasonably promising on-field talent, want nothing less from life than the India colors, one fine day. Without a second thought, they are surely not going to settle for anything less.

Their 1st day performance in a tournament is just a feeler of what these young children are capable of.

Written on: 24th Nov 2011.

Tough fight between Raffles and Maria Niketan

2011-11-27T12:18:00.004+05:30

Raffles Institution with Fair Play Trophy

It was the most fondly awaited match for the organizers: Maria Niketan(MN) v Raffles Institution(RI), Singapore.

The coaches of Jude Felix Hockey Academy have coached Maria Niketan School – the orphanage where the academy is based. RI, Singapore is coached by Jude Felix himself. Jude is also the technical advisor to the coaching panel at JFHA.

The match lived up to the expectations. It was a close contest between the teams. It must have been a difficult choice for Jude Felix, the Raffles coach, to whom to support.

The final score was in favor of RI, 1-0, with Faris scoring in the 14^th min of the Penalty Corner.

It was skill v stamina at its peak display with RI playing around quick and intelligent passes. Maria Niketan players never seemed too tired in the 30m game.

It took both the teams to settle down in the game, as initial 10m hardly produced any concrete move. RI was poor with its trapping; the midfielders were struggling connecting to the forwards. MN was not able to pull off any concrete moves either.

When MN earned their 1^st penalty corner in the 12^th min, the Raffles goalkeeper, Ram, blocked the MN player and the umpire was quick to award a Penalty Stroke to the Niketan boys. It looked almost certain score opener for MN but the brilliant save by GK Ram denied them any jubilation.

Maria Niketan Boys with one of their coaches, Khalid Modi

In the 14^th min, Faris for RI, executing a penalty corner, dodged a falling goalkeeper and had plenty of time to take the ball to the cage uninterrupted. The benches cheered and few moments later, half time hooter set in.

In the 2^nd half, MN boys gave their heart out, attempted a number of attacks. But, primarily because of MN’s poor midfielder and forward communication and effective defense of RI, they could never get that wild swing at the goal.

A run down from the right flank by MN, followed by a hit-in towards the RI circle was rendered ineffective, only because of elegant man-to-man marking by Raffles’ defenders.

The left flank of Raffles always looked strong and that is where they generated most of their attacks. MN, mistakenly, concentrated all the strength in getting the ball possession from this flank and thereby assured poor usage of flanks and the other portions of the field.

But had it not been poor finishes by otherwise lone goal-scorer Faris, the score would have read differently. At least a couple of times, he failed at the last hit at the board.

In the 2^nd half, RI midfielders and forwards pushed the MN defenders to the brink and piled attacks at a maddening frequency. Ashraf earned a penalty corner by his superb run down the MN circle. Benjamin, RI captain, came forward to execute it but failed after a desperate attempt.

In the last moments, another superb attempt by Raffles headed by Hawjia, went begging as there were no takers for the final deflection.

It seemed just a matter of time when MN defenders will open up their defense gates but, creditably, they stood their ground, with a lot of support from midfielders, and managed to restrict the loss margin by 0-1.

This was the last match of the tournament. Raffles made it to the 3^rd spot in the tournament and Maria Niketan found the 5^th spot for themselves.

St. Joseph Indian High School, winner of JFHA Inter School Tournament, Bangalore

St. Joseph Indian High School won the tournament and Vinay High School, Ananthpur had to console with the runners-up trophy as they lost to St. Joseph’s only on an inferior goal difference.

India loses to Malaysia-Brasa may get sacked soon

2010-11-25T12:48:00.001+05:30

I write this blog with extreme difficulty. It's been a pathetic feeling since India lost to Malaysia.

Over the lunch on the semi-final day, a colleague asked me, "Will it be a tuft one for India?".
I replied, "India may sail through but it will not be so simple. Malaysia is an upcoming team. However, the final against Korea will surely be tuft nut to crack". I didn't know it the unimaginable is about to happen.

As I switched on the television, it showed the Korea v Pakistan was into Penalty Strokes. Few minutes later, Pakistan emerged victorious. I wondered, whenever there are 2 favorites for any final and one of them go out, it is usually followed by the second one, too. The match started in just a bit and I didn't spend too much time on thinking about it.

Indians were struggling right from the word 'go'. Malaysian strategy was simple. Strict defensive and only counter-attacks. They made it so difficult for Indians to penetrate the circle that it became a boring game. Mostly the ball just travelling all with over the field with very little gush of energy in the game.
India couldn't penetrate and Malaysia didn't attack on their own. Usual game - Defend, steal the ball, counter-attack and then come back again to defense - went on till Malaysia succeeded in their counter-attack to go up 1-0 in the 32nd minute. Yet again, there was no one to blame but Indian defense. Malaysians were too fast for them.

India pumped in quite a bit of energy after this. Danish Mujtaba got a PC for India. India grabbed this opportunity with both hands. They leveled the score 1-1, thanks to Sandeep Singh's accurate drag flick. Indian players must have had a hard time at the lemon break because the game till now was anything but convincing.

India took an early lead in the 2nd half as Tushar Khandkar scored in the 38th minute but Indian happiness didn't last for long as Malaysia got a PC in the 48th minute. This goal by Malaysia was class apart more for the fact that Malaysians had the confidence of taking an indirect PC. A quick back pass to the pusher and he just had to deflect it. Indian fans could only bite their nails seeing the impertinence of the Malaysians.

Indians had became very aggressive and when they got the next PC in the 54th minutes, Dhananjay Mahadik took the drag flick. His flick was easily stopped by the Malaysian Goalkeeper Subramanian but the ball remained there in front of him. Rajpal hounded on that opportunity and put India again into the lead. The scoreline read 3-2.

With 3 minutes to spare, Malaysia got a PC which they converted and this was the most paragraph of Indian demise story. Scores leveled 3-3, Indians tried as harder. They got an important Penalty Corner but Sandeep Singh was out because of injury. India threw away this chance, thanks to Dhananjay Mahadik, who failed to even make a proper contact to pump in some acceleration into that flick.

Full time and when the score line read 3-3, Malaysians had won half the battle. They thrived on their confidence and within 6minutes they sealed India's fate by scoring on a PC.
Indian performance was on the decline right from the word 'go'. With lesser mistakes against Pakistan, India had started showing signs of poor performers against Japan. Today was just another episode in the declining performance.

Malaysia made a very well deserving entry into the semi-finals of Guangzhou Asian Games 2010. Who knows what they are gonna do to Pakistan in the finals. As the Malaysian coach, Stephen van Huizen, said, "We started as underdogs and we still are underdogs in the finals."

India, now has to find their way to the London Olympics 2010 via some qualifiers in early 2012.
Another sad portion for India is that their loss comes at a time, when coach Jose Brasa's fate was loosely hanging on India's Asian Games performance. India out in the semi-finals is sure-shot disappointment for millions of Indian Hockey fans. The officials were anyway keen on not renewing Brasa's contract with Indian Hockey. No matter how much Indian Hockey has evolved, they have a reason, which they can easily justify, to execute their plans and start off with the saga of non-contract coaches, yet again.

The interesting portion is, as Indian Hockey has evolved, so has happened to Malaysia and Pakistan as well. Even though there is huge improvement in the way Indians have played in the recent tournaments under their Spanish coach, you have to count the fact that Pakistan has a Dutch coach and Malaysia has a American coach. It's all about technology, strategy and innovation.

If at all, India thinks of replacing their coach, it should be another foreign coach and not someone who is dear to the officials. I hope we take a conscious and a calculated decision.

Ind v Jap: Indians struggle against a defensive Japan

2010-11-21T19:15:00.001+05:30

It was a very different day from yesterday at the last Pool B match between India v Japan.

India must be very relieved at the full time hooter because Japan was hell bent upon leveling the scores. Thankfully, the score line read 3-2 in India’s favor.

India played with a strategy of long passes. To those passes, either there were no takers, or there were takers who couldn’t trap it cleanly or the takers couldn’t match up to the pace of the hit.

Even when India had leveled Japan's 21st goal in the game minutes before half time, it remained a puzzle at the lemon break if at all India will be able to pull off this one or not. India did come back with some promise when they converted the PC in the 38th minute. The score line was further enhanced to 3-1 in the 62nd minute via a penalty corner conversion by Sandeep Singh. However, Japan was back with a bang as they scored a field goal in the next minute making the score board read 3-2. This remained the final score.

Today, Indians could walk off from the pitch with their heads high but there are many lessons to be learnt from today’s game. First and foremost being defense. Even though defense has shown a lot of improvement but in every game, the goals that India concedes are only because of some stupid lapse in man to man marking. Sardara Singh – extremely vigilant at other times - was just a step behind the Japanese player when he deflected an incoming hit from the right sideline. Chetri couldn't move an inch at this time.

Next goal by Japanese was when all players were fighting for the ball in the right side of the D and a loner Japanese, standing at the top of the D, got the ball and hit the ball above the heads of an Indian and Bharat Chetri.

Both times, it was Hiroki Sakamoto for Japan.

On the other hand, Japanese did a wonderful work with man to man marking and the details of the result are just a proof of it: 2 goals from PC and 1 Field Goal (PC by Sandeep Singh and FG by Rajpal). The Field Goal was sheer class of Shivendra Singh and if you leave aside that, Japan never gave India any space inside their circle.

Another area of concern for India is their lack of strategy. India has changed many aspects in their basic style of play – no solo games, thinking while passing, no wild hits, no stupid clearances, quick movement on counter attacks – but today’s game needed more than that, i.e. an effective strategy to outplay the opponents. Japan played a defensive games relying quite a bit on counter attacks. Mind you, they were almost successful in that. They could rotate the ball well, retained the ball for long durations whenever they got it, gave shockers to Indians for their mistakes and were effective in controlling the pace of the game.

If India won today, it was primarily due to 2 reasons: discipline in opponent’s circle and a few brilliant saves by Chetri. They worked for their penalty corners, kept checking where their partners are and attempted to give accurate passes. Shivendra Singh’s precise pass - between the legs, with his back facing the post and 2 Japanese defenders almost over him - to Rajpal who scored the 1^st goal just exemplifies this. You can only compare his stick work only with that of Rehan Butt in yesterday’s game.

One of the highlight of the game was Sandeep Singh, not only because of his perfect, on-target, drag flicks but the way he has worked on his defensive skills. Taking the opponents head on, he thwarted quite a few attacks all by himself. Indian defense certainly looks much better whenever Sandeep and Sardara are on the turf together.

India’s worries almost remain the same: At times, Rajpal Singh fails to release the ball and thereby throws away some good chances. Even further it is Dhananjay Mahadik. Whether it is because of pressure or his poor tackling skills but a determined sprinter Mahadik somehow, fails to trap the ball. Even when he does, he leaves it loose. That gave Japanese numerous chances which they couldn’t capitalize on.

There are some happy take backs for India, too. There were times, when Indians held on to the ball for that fraction of a second and passed the ball; some times to the right with reverse stick, at times left and many other times, behind between their legs. That fraction second thought makes this trick possible. Moreover, Brasa’s hammer has gone really hard on players like Shivendra, Tushar, Sarvanjit, Rajpal who have finally blossomed and are at their ever best rallying around the field. If you see Rajpal sprinting along with an attacker from the opponent’s quarter to India’s quarter you are surely give away your heart to him. Similarly, Vikram Pillay’s ground coverage and Arjun Halappa’s intelligence is a visual treat and keeps making you ask for more.

It was a closely contested game and it could have gone any way. All in all, not the greatest of matches played by India but there is much hope from them in the semis lined up with Malaysia.

Ind v Pak - Watch out, Indians are thinking now!

2010-11-20T23:05:00.000+05:30

No packed stadium, no deafening noise, little crowd support, enormous pressure of past 2 high margin victories and even further, not at home turf - a very different environment for the Indian team as they played Pakistan today. Coach Jose Brasa had announced at the commencement of the tournament that for them the main matches are the ones against Pakistan followed by against Japan. No doubts, most of the Hockey fans were eagerly waiting for today’s game.

India got their deserved victory today. They beat a struggling Pakistan 3-2. Moreover, India beat Pakistan in almost all departments of the game.

Ticking the scoreboard early, India took 1-0 in the first minute itself; courtesy, Sandeep Singh's accurate flick. However, Pakistan was back in the game. The way Rehan Butt, with his back facing the cage, pushed the ball between his legs caught Bharat Chetri clueless that such a hit is also possible; no points to guess his push did find the goalpost board.

The 2^nd goal where Shivendra Singh – his efforts will not be reflected in the score line, unfortunately - rallied in the left flank beating numerous defenders shows that this player has an immense talent. Dharamvir Singh didn’t do injustice his team-mate’s brilliant stick work.

The highlight of the game was intense play focused in mid-field. Both India and Pakistan, under the respective coaches, have hogged on to the concept of ball possession. From 1 full back to the 2nd one to one flank followed by the reverse drill to another flank - both teams were mostly seen doing this. However, Indians have displayed tremendous commitment in adopting this style of play. At times, it was interesting to see Pakistan players charging Indian defenders to take possession of the ball - a tactics which usually Australians apply which needs extreme levels of fitness.

There is a huge improvement in Indian players' fitness. Barring a few who man the opponent’s half, whole team falling back at the time of an attack, short passes while clearing the ball show how India has learnt to play under intense pressure. There is no hurry to clear the ball by a hit in mid-field or the sidelines; Indians have started using their eyes and mind more often than ever.

Indians also made it very difficult for Pakistan to penetrate the circle. Statistics will have it, in spite of the good ball possession that Pakistan had in Indian half, it should be read as: Pakistan possessed the ball in Indian half (excluding the circle). The result was obvious: India conceded only 1 PC in the whole game.

Although the goals that India conceded were momentary lapses in defense, it also display of class and exuberance of Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi. Be whatever the strategy of the team, these players' game is a vivid treat if they get the ball solo. They can perform dodges which no player in the World can do.

Indian defense were almost on their task today. Instances where they failed resulted in severe penalties, mostly. One sloppy trap from Mahadik gave Pakistan a real chance; not getting the stick down in time by Gurbaj paved the way for the ball to Butt to open the score for Pak; Instinctive tackle by Prabodh cost in a PC for Pakistan; lose ball from Sandeep gave Abbasi a chance which he didn’t miss.

Apart from those stray instances, Indian defense looks much more promising than the CWG games. Sardara Singh proved his class in playing as a full back. Sandeep Singh has shown marked improvement in the defense in this year.

Most importantly, Indian defense was consistent and saw it to the end.

Indians have started doing things which they never used, foremost being ‘thinking’! When Arjun Halappa clears the ball and starts moving down the sideline, he takes a couple of seconds but passes impeccably to a loner player around center line, who passes it to Khandker who coordinates a very dangerous looking attack.

Another instance of this 'thinking' is when Tushar enters Pak circle he holds on for a minute and gives the pass to Sarvanjit. Even though Sarvanjit was on high pressure point in the D, he took a while and then banged the ball on the foot of a Pak player, resulting in a very important PC for India.

There has been marked difference in Pakistan's game. Man-to-Man marking, more of team work, and ball possession are the areas where it's difficult to believe that it's the same Pakistan team. However, the lack of innovative ideas when usual attacks were blocked, poor changing of flanks and a counter-strategy to stop India from playing it’s game cost them the match.

One may argue that the margin of victory for India was very small and given the fact that Pakistan got a chance in the dying moments of the game, it was anyone's game. However, to contain Pakistan the way India did required guts and a game-plan. It was a planned effort rather just a chance. The fact that India earned a PC in 69th minute - their victory was sealed at that moment itself no matter what the result of PC - is indicative of a fact India was thoroughly in control.

All in all, the emotions were not running high, so the only other thing remained were legs and mind. They both earned India the victory they desperately wanted to cruise into the semis.

I feel scared to confess that Indian players have forced me raise my expectations from the upcoming games!

Thankfully, Chhetri has not been Negi-ised

2010-10-15T16:26:00.000+05:30

15th Oct 2010:

We have grown as a country, at least in our thinking.

Take the example of today's CWG 2010 Hockey final between Ind and Aus.

Before CWG 2010, 1982 Asiad was the last grand sporting event India has hosted.

In 1982, the finals of Men's Hockey, at the same venue - Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium - Pakistan thrashed India 7-1 in almost the same fashion as Australia did today, at least as per the score line.

I don't know, they say India choked under pressure. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi turning up to watch the match dented their mental balance. The forward line couldn't score. The defense gave the opposition too many chances. Hell fell loose on Indian Hockey that day. (That is another topic that recent victory of India over Pakistan 7-4 has been termed, by many, as a revenge after 28 years.)

When a team loses, you can't blame individual players for that. But, we being a country which likes to find villains in any debacle around us, found one on that day - Mir Ranjan Negi, the Indian Goalkeeper. The nation owes it to him for what it did to him then and thereafter.

Today, none other than Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi were present in the stadium.

We got royally thrashed by 8-0. The agony was such that with 8s to spare, Australia utilized it and scored their last goal of the match beating the whole defense comprehensively. We couldn't penetrate their circle; if we did they cleared it comfortably. Often they came in our sacred circle and went back contended. Call it whatever, India failed in all departments.

India has shown a lot of character in this tournament. Beating Pakistan, and then England, India has shown that they are willingly taking a baby step forward in World Hockey.

Yes, within a matter of few days, the expectations went very high. Although, thinking rationally India hardly had a chance in today's finals - Baring a couple of upsets, Australia has beaten everyone in the 2 years with huge margins and has not lost any tournament either - but the fans of the home team wanted just a bit more than silver.

Had India just replicated their performance against England of the other day, it would have been a very different looking score today.

Anyhow, we just didn't lose, we lost without putting up a fight that any event Finals deserve.

So, it's almost the same finish as that of 1982 Asiad Hockey Finals? Then, why didn't we find one villain in Bharat Kumar Chetri today?

One may argue that those days the passion for Hockey was very high, hence the emotions ran very high, hence the desperation to crucify one individual.
To that I would say if it was a packed stadium that day, today it was an even more packed stadium - the capacity of the renovated stadium is much more. Today, a lot of people who wouldn't follow Hockey otherwise kept track of what was happening in today's match. Today is the last day of CWG 2010 and India is in close contest with England for the 2nd position in medal tally must have contributed to that interest surely.

So, one can't argue that Hockey was not being followed by as many people as those days. Passion was certainly running very high, today.

I tend to believe that one big leap India has taken in its 'thinking' has been after Delhi World Cup 2010. Everyone saw in front of their eyes where World Hockey has reached. Previously if people used to say, "They (players) don't play well, haar ke aate hain har jagah", they now say, "We are far behind in World Hockey."

Going by our expectations, which we attach to every sporting event in which India participates, I would say we got thoroughly thrashed in the World Cup (winning only 1 match, against Pakistan). However, very interestingly, following the World Cup, I didn't read in any newspapers for a long time that India fared poorly. Most of the voices almost emphasized: In the World Hockey exhibition, there is a long way to go for us.

So, say thanks to the World Cup for bringing change to our mindset or call it progressive thinking or you may say we have moved on from our past, but one thing remains for sure, Chetri not being crucified after today's game is a very healthy sign in Indian Hockey, both for its fraternity and it's fans.

We have started to accept that our team didn’t play well. We are certainly moving forward...

A very special moment to see India beat England

2010-10-13T14:37:00.006+05:30

Post Ind-Aus match, Jose Brasa said that we are best team at the practice and worst team in matches - I kind of believed in what he said. But now, for sure, he will agree that his lads have delivered many lessons that he taught. However, if he says there is more to come, we are surely waiting for that treat.

Beating Pakistan 7-4 in a jam-packed, all-sold out stadium was special but by storming into the CWG Finals outplaying England, Indians have knocked at the doors of top-level World Hockey. No development teams, no injured players, no last minute drop outs, no suspensions, we don’t have any reason to downplay the victory of our team yesterday.

It’s almost impossible to beat a top-notch country like England. It was not fluke but a fiercely contested battle. Englishmen never gave it up until the last second of extra time and so didn’t India. Although, Bharat Chhetri’s save in the shootout was priceless but it’s heartening to see people talking more about Indian team’s rejuvenated performance.

From the traditional mindset of defense is the work of full-backs and half backs to the more recent principle of full team defending an opponent’s attack, India has made a big progress in modern Hockey. Sardara Singh, otherwise a playmaker in the mid-field in his entire Hockey career, in the defense line is an endorsement of the fact that contemporary Hockey is about challenging oneself. Mahadik’s improvement of his mistakes from the previous games is a commendable effort.

The Dutch can’t claim anymore that Indians play position based Hockey so it’s easy to mark them. Take this example of yesterday’s game: A Vikram Pillay diving from nowhere in the ‘D’ to deflect a long cross pass from Sandeep Singh almost from the half line.

Mid-fielders playing like crazy attackers, defenders coming down to the midfield and forwards reaching out to help their defense line, only exemplifies the concept of ‘Total Hockey’ recently embraced by Indians under their Spanish coach.

Certainly, gone are the days of wild hits into the circle with no takers.

After pushing the ball for PC, the way Sarvanjit Singh comes and stands to the left side of the post – he can’t be practically marked at this time – depicts that India is ‘thinking’. It wasn’t that England was short of ideas. During their PC variation – by which they scored the 2nd and 3rd goal - they caught an otherwise brilliant Chhetri, short of ideas, movement and reaction time.

Indian story doesn’t stop here: 4 on 4 marking in the Indian circle as the English attacker enters the top of the D only to find Prabodh Tirkey who did nothing but only implemented a point from basics of Hockey. Result: Dangerous looking attack confidently foiled followed by a counter attack.

It’s not only this, Indian athleticism has blossomed, the team movement in the midfield, flanks and the circle is so fast that it really put the otherwise very stable, very strong defense, resilient English team under pressure.

Long accurate passes, neat dodges, very little solo Hockey, least dribbling, changing flanks, you name a technique where Indians were criticized before and they look promising now.

Going down 1-3 and then recovering to give a gripping finish to the match is a reminder of the fact that it’s needs time and effort to reach such a stage. Not playing with heart but with strategy as well is something Indian team is putting across to it viewers and critics. It is these things that speak volumes of hard work by coaching staff headed by Brasa.

For the moment, Brasa, with his efforts, ideas and professionalism, has won the hearts of many fans who have overloaded him with their expectations.

Australia is reining World Champion and they almost look invincible. Pakistan stopped them 1-0 a few days back. If we can even match up our yesterday’s performance who knows what the final score board may read and I may get down to writing another intensely felt blog like this.

Whatever the results may be but CWG semi-finals between India v England will certainly make it to the Classics category and a Hockey fan like me will take pride to say, “Yes, I didn’t miss it.”

Not much gain for Indian Women in World Hockey rankings

2010-09-08T11:59:00.000+05:30

A preliminary calculations, before the qualification matches start suggests the following:

13th ranked India may remain at 13th if they lose to South Africa for the 9-10th position match. If they beat SA, they climb only to the 12th spot. 12th ranked South Africa, however, doesn't get affected by this and are sure to become 11th ranked after this WC.
Currently 10th ranked USA, the only team amongst top 12 who didn't reach the WC, are sure to go down to 12th or 13th positions depending on India's performance.

8th ranked Spain and 9th ranked Japan, after their dismal performance in this WC will contest for 11-12 rank matches. If Spain wins this match, it will become 9th ranked otherwise it will be 10th ranked. For Japan, a win is a must to retain their 9th ranking or else they become 10th.

11th ranked Korea are all set to attain the 8th ranking irrespective of the result of their 5-6 ranked match against Australia. Similarly, 7th New Zealand will retain their 7th World ranking irrespective of the result of 7-8 position match against China.

5th ranked Aussies, are sure to slide to 6th position, courtsey 6th ranked England who will surely make to the 5th position. Depending on their performance, they can reach the 3rd position.

3rd ranked China, a big dissappointment in the WC, will slide to 4th or 5th position depending on England's final ranking in the WC.

1st ranked Netherlands can't go down below 2 in World Rankings. Similarly, 2nd ranked Argentina can't go below 3.
4th ranked Germany can hope to be anywhere between 2-4.
That essentially means, Netherlands or Argentina are the only teams that may emerge to be World ranked 1, after the Women's Hockey World Cup, Rosario, Argentina.

P.S.: Personally, I am a big fan of World rankings of FIH. The results of any tournaments are never drastically different from the then rankings of the participating nations.

Indian Hockey online petition

2010-09-02T13:57:00.004+05:30

For all Hockey Lovers, here's an online petition for Indian Hockey:
Please help us in reaching out to Indian Hockey lovers and request their support on online petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/sept2010/petition.html

Women's Hockey World Cup: India take on Netherlands today

2010-08-30T16:04:00.001+05:30

The Women's Hockey World Cup 2010 has commenced in Rosario, Argentina.

India is placed in Pool A, alongside Netherlands(1st), Germany(4th), Australia(5th), NewZealand(7th),Japan(9th).

Indian women's team will take on 6 times World Champions, 2006 Madrid WC winners, Beijing Olympics Gold Medalist, Netherlands today.

Netherlands ranks 1st and India ranks 13th in FIH ratings.

India happens to be the lowest ranked team in their pool and also the World Cup, 2010.

In other Pool A matches today, Germany take on New Zealand and Australia take on Japan.

Pool B consists of Argentina(2nd), China(3rd), England(6th), Spain(8th), Korea(11th), and South Africa(12th).
In the opening day's matches, Argentina beat South Africa 5-2, England beat Spain 3-2 and Korea surprised China 2-1.

Final Result: 1st Women's Asian Champions Trophy Busan Korea

2010-07-31T13:51:00.001+05:30

In the final, today, South Korea beat Japan 2-1 (HT: 1-0).

For the classification match for the 3rd-4th place, India beat China 2-1 (HT: 1-1). This was India's first victory in the 1st Women's Asian Champions Trophy from 27-31 July 2010 held in Busan, South Korea.

Final Rankings are as follows:

1) South Korea
2) Japan
3) India
4) China.

Last Updated: 1354 IST, 31st July, 2010.

1st Women's Asian Champions Trophy Busan South Korea

2010-07-30T10:29:00.003+05:30

1st Asian Women's Champions Trophy is going on in Busan, South Korea from 27-31st July 2010.

China, Japan, India and Korea are the participating teams. Indian Women's Hockey team hasn't done very well in this tournament though.

Here are the results till now:
Day 1:
Japan beat India 3-2. (Saba Anjum and Surinder Kaur)
Korea beat China 1-0

Day 2:
China beat India 6-1 (Deepika Thakur)
Korea drew with Japan 2-2.

Day 3 (today):
Japan drew with China 2-2
Korea beat India 5-3 (HT 2-1). ( Saba Anjum (24", PC), Rani Ramphal (55", FG) and Subadhra Pradhan ( 67", PC) )

India stands last (4th) in the pool with China 3rd, Japan 2nd and Korea 1st.

Tomorrow, 31st July, 2010, the finals will be between Korea and Japan.
Most likely, there is a classifaction match between India and China for the 3rd-4th place, although I am not sure about this.

Last updated: 30th July, 2010, 1441 IST

Indian Hockey - Finally, will it be Gill again?

2010-07-29T12:59:00.000+05:30

There is a starking similarity between Indira Gandhi and KPS Gill.
1) Both were ruthless and shrewd administrators.
2) When kept out of power for a few years, they realized how unpopular they were; till then they believed they were the most popular leaders.
3) Both went out to apologize for their deeds; Gill is doing it in a very stylish manner, though. Indira Gandhi did it publicly for her acts.
4) Both, eventually, realized how they can't exist without the public support.
5) Last but not the least, this country never had any better option than them, in their respective fields and times.

So, here we are: KPS Gill says that he is keen to clean up the Governing Body mess. I wonder, if saying this will be a crime: No one in the recent past, has talked about cleaning up the adminstrative mess. So, if KPS Gill has talked about sorting out the matter by 'talks', no matter how many brownie points he gains, he certainly sounds much better compared to Stokes, Batra and Kalmadi.

Running Hockey administration like State Goverment's Police Department, Gill had lost his popularity soon after he assumed power in 1994. The sacking of 6 star playing and the coach from the Asiad 1998 Gold medal winning team made him a villian throughout the country.
Thereafter, the likes of K Jyothikumaran and their cronies, under continous patronage from Gill, compounded with complete mastery of the political system, they ruled Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and made it a corrupt, opportunistic and sad system; a system which never addressed the basic problems of Hockey and which finally gave up the idea of holding Nationals as well.

Although it came up with the brilliant idea of Premier Hockey League (PHL) but it gave a hard time to their partner, ESPN. How one can murder their own brainchild can be asked by IHF and how one can adapt other's idea and build a fortune around it, can be asked by BCCI.

Gill locked horns with FIH as well and gave a extremely tuft time to Brenda Els Vriesman too - That was where it finally signed on their death certificate. Vriesman went on to say publicly that Gill needs to do much more for the betterment of Hockey. FIH went on to appoint Ric Charlesworth for India's Hockey development. A sting operation exposing the corruption of IHF was only a reason for people like Kalmadi to wipe off Gill and company for the time being.

Already unpopular, Gill-headed-IHF was disbanded and was left in oblivion.

Thereafter, mockery times came in for Hockey adminstration. Although some immediate problems concerning the Indian team - more exposure tours, good coach, hosting World Cup - were addressed by adhoc adminstration (read it, Hockey India) but it ruled like a monarchy. Only to realize immediately, that monarchy was abolished in this country long time back.

Now that a few court orders have regarding IHF dissaffiliation as illegal and has given them the boost which IHF was looking for all these years, Gill and co. are thinking aloud.

Few days back, star Olympian and much respected Ashok Kumar had said: "Gill has changed."

A few days later, Gill said, he will not contest the elections.

That Gill is talking of reconciliation talk with Hockey India (HI) and wants to sort out the matter for the benefit of Hockey, along with court order favouring him, makes me wonder, with my usual apprehensions which a common man has about politicians, if Gill faction is all set to make a come back to the Hockey adminstration.

What stand FIH takes, is yet to be seen but as of now.

I feel Gill did win a point amongst Vidya Stokes, Narinder Batra and Suresh Kalmadi. However, not many will wonder that his age is too close to that of Ms. Stokes.

Gill surely ruled like Burmese Military junta and Kalmadi like monarchy. So, if this re-incarnated Gill sounds like a mellowed down Indira Gandhi of late 80's, who knows his group may just come back with a thumping majority as Indira Gandhi did in 1980 General Elections!

P.S.: I have not included Pargat Singh in my discussion because I am not aware of his support amongst the 'voters'.

Indian Women's Hockey sex scandal - comedy

2010-07-22T19:50:00.000+05:30

Disclaimer: This blog of mine, is more about irony of our society and circumstances. It doesn't wish to take a call on whether or not M K Kaushik is guilty or not.

Allegations and counter allegations gallore.

1) Few days back, Hockey India received photographs of Indian Women's Hockey team videographer in compromising position with some unknown ladies during China Japan tour. (back in Mar-Apr '10)

2) Current national level player Ranjita Devi claims that she has been sexually harrassed by the Women's team coach M K Kaushik.

I am not concerned about point no.1. It is surely nothing more than gossip matter. What one does in their rooms, on tour, should be dictacted by 'code of conduct' for players and officials. Whether Hockey has one or not, I am not sure.

Coming to 2nd point: First things first. Sexual harrassment charges are serious. Whether the person who makes those allegations, is genuine or not, whether they are a star player or not, whether they are capable enough to compete in current Hockey or not, inspite of all these questions, it is a serious allegation. One can't take it lightly. A independent probe is a must.

Although I am not a great fan of KPS Gill and his adminstration times, and if I ignore the past details of his own character, I agree to his point: What are the qualifications of the people who have been formed in the committee who will investigate these details?

I will say it's true. Do they know what law books says? How one should conduct a prosecution and defense case? There is a complete legal system in place for this.

In this context, Zafar Iqbal, a former Olympian, who is a part of this committee, says, "The player's allegations are weak."
Yeah, right!

The point is not whether M K Kaushik is involved in sexual harrassment or not. One may never find out that, if you honestly ask me. It will finally reside on what one individual prefers to believe. Grab these facts:

1) There is no official investigation going on by competent authorities. Hockey India (HI) will collate the version of both sides will be submitted to Sports Authority of India, who will decide what needs to be done, because they are the employers to Kaushik and the videographer.

2) 31 players who have signed the letter by Ranjita say, "We haven't faced it but we are supporting Ranjita."
Ranjita, in her letter, claims that she and many others were sexually harrassed.

3) I have heard and read 4 different points on 4 different channels from Helen Mary. One place she tells about how Kaushik was found sleeping on the same berth in a train. Another place she says he is a wonderful coach but a characterless guy. Third place she says she herself was sexually harrassed by Kaushik. Fourth place she says that she was removed from captaincy because Kaushik and some lady manager got to know that Mary has seen them together having fun. It also tells that senior players don't like Kaushik and they wanted to get rid of him. Fifth newspaper tells how the lady manager was perpeptually drunk and was with Kaushik all the time.
Believe me, her interview is in so many bits and pieces in various newspapers and if you read all of them, you wouldn't know what to gather from it finally. The more I read, the more I am confused.
4) Theories are around that the timing of the event is a surprise because of Hockey India elections days away.
5) Although, it is usually, 'innocent until proven guilty' by law but the general public tends to believe, 'guilty until proven innocent'.

With so much reporting, so much conflicting opinions, allegations and no concrete investigation in the offing, a common fan like me can never figure out what to conclude from the whole event.

Now, Kaushik's contract with SAI to work for Indian Women's team was only till Nov. '10, i.e. till Guangzhou, China Asiads. He has resigned from the Indian Women's Hockey Coach position. It reminds me of a movie dialogue where the alleged guy tells his perpitrator, "You will not be able to prove anything." To which the perpetrator responds, "But you will suffer till the time this issue is alive and kicking."

So, he will be away for the time being and thereafter, any way, he will be out.

Whether you believe that there is no flame without fire, one thing is for sure: Kaushik's image is tarnished amongst common people.
Till 2 days back, not many (of the general public) knew, that Kaushik was the coach of Women's team since 1991 (barring a few breaks in between) and Indian Women's Hockey reached it's highs under his coaching. One 2 day coverage, and now almost everyone knows Kaushik.

I would say, it's a ticket to (de)fame for Kaushik.

All said and done, Hockey doesn't have many fans amongst general public; the ones who are, are mostly the only ones in their friend circles. I am one of those loners in my friend circle and I find it extremely embarrassing, when I am asked with a smiling face, 'yeh kya ho raha hai tumhaare Hockey mein?"

I just keep quiet, feeling low, humiliated..... and sad not for the event, but how it is handled by all of us...

Indian Hockey Drama continues, this time it's Joaquim Carvalho

2010-07-16T12:33:00.001+05:30

Carvalho has accused HI that they are stopping Dilip Tirkey and Ashish Ballal from performing the role of Selectors in IHF.
I think, HI should say "Yes, Carvalho is right", because Carvalho thinks he is right.

Reports tell that Dilip Tirkey has got his appointment news from media. However, Mr. Joaquim Carvalho has accused Hockey India, of stopping Tirkey from performing the role of selector. Whether he got the offer -don't bother about accepting it- shouldn't be worried about.

The key here is: Believe what Carvalho says.

I am only concerned with Hockey; not Hockey India or IHF or for that matter, who is legitimate.

The sad portion of the whole event is, Carvalho's accusations have hit the headlines.

Here are few better things, a 'Hockey Lover' will love to talk about:

1) Indian Men Hockey team is playing Belgium currently.
2) India's Women Hockey team is all set to play in Busan in the inaugural version of Asian Women's Champions Trophy.
3) Murugappa Cup has started in Chennai, although many stars are not present.
4) IHF is holding 'Nationals' in Bhopal.

I wonder, barring a select few, who cares about Carvalho's political thoughts and accusations. I have a faint feeling, if you ask Carvalho on the sidelines, he too may agree with me.

For people who love Hockey, it doesn't matter who holds the tournament, they are always interested in 'on the turf war'. However, for few others lovers, 'war for the turf' is more important.

Domestic Indian Hockey: CM Cup in Bangalore - Semi Finals

2010-06-20T15:58:00.002+05:30

Disclaimer: Last match, that I watched in the stadium was in World Cup 2010, New Delhi. That day, of the 3 matches that I watched, one was Spain v Australia. This match made me realize, where World Hockey has reached (and where Indian Hockey is). If I tend to compare (and over compare) a domestic tournament with World Hockey matches, I request the readers to pardon me.

Initially, not very keen but I finally did decide to watch the Chief Minister’s Cup at the KSHA Stadium, Bangalore. It was a day when 2 Semi Finals were supposed to be played.

As I landed up there, I could see the difference in the stadium. It was all beautifully decorated. Huge hoardings, giant screens, many banners, litter free stadium, new looking goalposts and nets, neat score board, new substitution number boards. The newly laid turf made the stadium look admirable.

Behind one goal, there was a huge stage set up, with orchestra instruments, for live performances. Each side of the turf, there was a giant screen placed for the viewers to watch the LIVE proceedings. As I walked around, I kept clicking pictures. As I came around the South end goalpost, I was held back by something interesting – a microphone, strategically placed next to the goalpost, possibly to track the board bangs or to hear what the players talk during the play. I took all my time to take the pic of the microphone.

Massive speakers were put around the stadium. It played peppy numbers, at times from Bollywood, other times from Sandalwood. There were moments when it was difficult to hear anything else but the music.

Doordarshan, which is covering the event LIVE, had cameras put up all around the stadium. Near the entrance itself, there was a camera, on a very long arm, which hovered and reached out to cover all the area.

One wonders so many efforts were put in to lay out a beautiful stadium but nothing at all was done outside the stadium, in the city. The media coverage has also been poor, to say the least. Apart from photographers by organizers, I was the only one who was clicking pictures.

As the players started coming in to the stadium, the excitement started building. The first game was between IOCL v BPCL. The IOCL players have it in their gait that they are champions. They warmed up for good 15m and did all drills. Prabhjot Singh, Jaswinder, Sardara Singh- he didn’t play though, Devesh Chauhan, Vikram Kanth, Inderjeet Chaddha, were the ones whom I could recognize. BPCL on the other hand, leave aside a few, didn’t bother much about warm ups. This sight, in itself, told a lot about what’s gonna happen in the game.

The crowd increased by the minute and as the match went under way just before 1800 hrs; the West side of the stadium – the roofed stand – was filling up briskly. Goals galore, minutes into the game and in the first half, it was a treat to watch the match. A score of 3-2 with IOCL leading promised an exciting 2nd half. However, unfortunately, 2nd half presented a lackluster and a disappointing show. BPCL players looked tired and were walking on the turf often. They could defend well and didn’t bother the score keepers at all. It was quite an ordinary show. The match ended 3-2.

One sad thing is that no one pays attention on certain basic etiquettes at the domestic levels. Any decision you don’t like, you surround the umpire and jeopardize the game for a few minutes – that is in our reflexes now. Another interesting event was when a contemporary national team player was shown the Green Card. He possibly forgot that he has to walk out at this stage. The umpire has to tell him what a Green Card means and show him where the benches were.

As the match got over, Air India team was stretching on the side fence to play their game against Army Red. Air India, usually, a star studded team lacked the star players today – possibly because many players would have been in the National Camp. But Dhanray Pillay, Sameer Dad, Vikram Pillay, Sandeep Micheal, Adrian D’Souza were the ones I thought would be worth watching.

Army Red, a local team who got its own turf recently, has always been a promising team on the domestic circuit. Although, it’s not star packed as IOCL or Air India, but they are a power to reckon with.

To make the stadium look lively in this break, numerous fire crackers were burst all this while that made the sky look beautiful. Few visitors watching the proceedings, from outside the stadium at the boundary wall, were a heartening sight.

As the teams were introduced to the Karnataka Sports Minister, Goolihatti Shekhar, the public announcers talked about the teams. When they took pride in telling the audience that Army Red is a local team and Ignace Tirkey makes the city proud, the humbled smile of Tirkey’s face was one to watch out for.

The match went underway and was a thorough downer. Players from both sides lacked fitness and didn’t bother to cover the turf, many a times. Although goals were scored but there wasn’t much class in the match. I was supposed to leave at the half time. But, I was told that 2nd half was a thriller in which Army Red took the match into the Tie Breaker and then beat Air India.

As I walked off, the West stand was nearly 90% full and the Eastern stands were occupied by the Army men in their dresses. I wondered if a tournament at the time when FIFA Football is on, will attract any people to the stadium – I was proved wrong at least on this day, the only day I went to the tournament. Although this was a satisfying sight, I walked off from the stadium disappointed because I felt domestic Hockey in India lacks quality. One whack into the goal post followed by a deflection is still the most preferred way to score - You don’t see that in international Hockey, high quality matches, anymore. Man to man marking, fitness, full usage of the pitch, non-solo approach are the premises we still don't believe in.

The variation of 3 attackers versus 3 (2+goalkeeper) defenders – the idea developed by Ric Charlesworth for short corners – relaxed my mind a bit that we have, indeed, adapted something from International Hockey arena.

It was also lovely to see a lot of people related to Karnataka Hockey come together on the same platform. Those I could recognize were AB Subbaiah, Ashish Ballal, MP Ganesh, RK Shetty, Charles C, BP Govinda,Jagbir Singh.

Last but not the least, it was a sheer pleasure watching a match with Jude Felix Hockey Academy members and got to meet Manoj Mahala, a Hockey buff, whom I got to know through facebook.

Here is the link to the photographs, I clicked: http://picasaweb.google.com/amitabh.bachchan.bigb/CMCupKSHACupBangalore

Azlan Shah Cup 2010 - My analysis

2010-05-17T10:12:00.000+05:30

After seeing Hockey World Cup 2010 and the level International Hockey has attained, it feels a little boring to know there is a tournament - Sultan Azlan Shah Cup going on in Ipoh, Malaysia - where teams like Australia, Korea, Pakistan and India haven't fielded their full bench strength.

But life has to go on and World Cup got over more than 2 months back.

Some people may say that Azlan Shah Cup has more or less been a B-grade tournament where the best teams of the World - if at all they show up - field their development teams.

If India would have lost, critics would have claimed, 'Oh! It's just another nail in the coffin.' Had they won by beating Korea, it would have been, "Come on, this is expected. What’s so great about it?"

Well, I am neither a critic nor a person who has a huge baggage of expectations from the team.

For me, if it’s a decently contested game, where India earns a victory or looses by putting up a valiant effort is a moment of celebration and treat.

All said and done, due to heavy rains, the final couldn't be conducted and the Azlan Shah Cup 2010 was shared between India and Korea.

I am very positive that millions of fans of Indian Hockey wouldn't have been happy with this. We all wanted to the cup totally to ourselves and not shared with the Koreans! :)

Apart from the good show put up by the Indian team in this tournament - leave aside Development team topic for a moment - there are couple of points I wish to remark are:

1) Malaysia is a country which has Equatorial climate; one where there is a 4 'o clock rain every day. Shouldn't Azlan Shah Cup organizers apprehended this situation before and must have marked another day to complete the finals?

2) I read, from http://stick2hockey.com LIVE Commentary section, that Indian team management lodged an official complaint with the tournament director that since they ranked first in the pool, they should have been given the cup. Unfortunately, I find this short-sightedness of Indian management. I am sad to remark that this sounds very opportunistic on our part and also we must have thought about much before the tournament started rather when Rain Gods are greeting and giving mass hugs at the stadium.

Coming back to the performance of the Indian team, one has to praise the winning streak of India. First a draw with China, followed by victories over Pakistan, Korea and Australia was good news for all the fans. Losing to Malaysia was certainly not gonna well with a lot of people. India experimented quite a bit in that match – the coaches had planned this - and Malaysia beat Malaysia convincingly 5-2.

With Korea, Australia and Malaysia tied at the top, it finally came to the last match, where if India’s lose or draw would have been the biggest disappointment. Finally, India beat Egypt to claim the 1st spot in the pool thereby setting up a final with Korea. So, all in all, it has been a decent performance for the Indian team.

Few other points:

1) It has been reported that Jose Brasa was told by the Indian Government (read SAI officials) not to be present at the compulsory Press meet after every match that India plays. A professional person, he adhered to what was told by his bosses. So, one never got to know, what Brasa was thinking all through the tournament. Looks like Hockey India's media phobia is gonna be a chronic one.

2) None of the matches being broadcasted LIVE was another disappointment on this tour of India.

All said and done, I am happy to hear that India holds the Azlan Shah Cup 2010 (shared with Korea) but I also believe there is a need of tours to the 1st 5 countries of the World. It's jubilation time and every victory has its own importance so let's relax for a while and enjoy!

Indian Hockey-India ranks 9th now

2010-03-17T12:37:00.001+05:30

As per FIH website update on 15th March, Indian fans can breathe easy, at least for a while. India have come up from being 12th ranked to 9th ranked.

India jump up the rankings, thanks to 8th ranking in the World Cup 2010.

As expected the World Cup champions, Australia, for the first time in last 5 years, have toppled Germany from their rank 1 spot marking their dominance in World Hockey,official.
This is only the 2nd time since 2003 Australia has been able to gain that spot. The other time being only in 2005.

As per the last updated rankings, on 14th Dec, Australia, 1993 points, was closely following Germany, at 2088 points. Earning 1000 points from WC 2010, Australia now have 2605 points (along with other various calculations).

Netherlands and Spain who have dominated the 3rd and 4th position from 2004, exchanged their spots. From 2008 onwards, Spain maintained the 3rd spot. However, this time due to poor fare (5th) at the recently concluded World Cup, they have swapped positions with Netherlands, which has becomes the 3rd ranked now.

Korea and England have held on their 5th and 6th positions respectively.

Pakistan and New Zealand, like Spain and Netherlands, have swapped their rankings. Pakistan has slipped down to 8th where as New Zealand must be a content lot faring 7th in World rankings.
Although, New Zealand finished 9th in the World Cup but Pakistan finishing 12th has helped their cause.
Moreover, since Champions Trophy contributes to the ranking and none of the below ranked teams will contest with the Black Sticks there, they are sure to improve their rankings in Monchengladbach where the Champions Trophy will be held, later this year in August.

India and Argentina - both missed the Beijing Olympics - have pushed aside Belgium and China - both missed 2010 World Cup - off from the 9th and 10th spots to mark their recovery in the International arena, possibly.

Canada retain their 11th ranking and South Africa have improved marginally to be ranked 11th after pulling off few good surprises at the World Cups where they fared a remarkable 10th.

So, for Indian fans the only hope now to fare better in the FIH World Rankings, is Guangzhou Asian Games, late this year, which will contribute to these rankings. Every tournament before that, will be a feeler only.

On the different note, have a look at the World Cup rankings and the current FIH rankings:

Ind v Eng LIVE in stadium-what an experience!!

2010-03-07T11:02:00.002+05:30

What a day it was. From the past few months it has been a long wait for me. If not desperately, I was eagerly waiting for the Hero Honda Hockey World Cup 2010 to commence. As it approached near I wondered, should I go to Delhi or not? When a close friend alerted me, “This happened in 1982. You never know when it’s gonna come next.” Then finally it was decided; clubbed with a family visit will be an evening at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi – to watch the 3 matches of the day, last being Ind v Eng.

Few days before the event, a lot of negative news kept pouring in continuously. I wondered what the future of this game in this country is. Fight for power, captaincy controversy, media block out, no publicity by the officials, former players struggling with very basic things. You name it and it has it. But somewhere deep in my heart, I knew 2 things: If the team plays well, these things will come down. I have faith in Brasa.

When Ind beat Pak in the opener, it was the best kick start any Hockey fan could have asked for. It was not just a victory; the positive thinkers remarked it as a changed Indian Hockey team – less of solo runs, man to man marking in the defense, rolling substitutes, midfield and attack line being more cohesive. There was hope.

The match those followed were against Australia and Spain. India lost both matches 5-2. Those were difficult evenings; I felt I couldn’t share my feelings with anyone. I have not even a single friend who follows Hockey like the way I do. A lot of Hockey fraternity people, who I know closely, are not the ones I would have shared these feelings; primarily because I am a commoner and not a Hockey professional.

With India out of the Semi Final chase, as Brasa had cautioned 2 months back, I landed at the above mentioned stadium. For me, the first time, I was witnessing an international match. A beautifully laid out stadium, it felt magical at the first look. I relished my decision.

First match was Aus v Spain: a class of its own. Continuous (shoulder to shoulder) marking of all the forward line players, no needless dribble, no dodge and beating, just move the ball, if not right then left, keep the opponents on the move and ‘desperate’ to get the ball. Of the limited knowledge I have, it was Hockey at its best. At one time, someone told me there are a lot of things that happen on turf. On TV you get to see the play around the ball. I got to know what he meant. I just wondered when our country will play a game like this. Although Aus won 2-0 but Spain made them run for their win.

Second match was SA v Pak, Pak being the clear favourites. An elderly gentleman around remarked, “Previous match was Class A match, this one is Class B and the next one will be a mixed class match.” The crowd precisely knew what to expect from teams like Pak and India. The marked difference in quality of the first and this match was evident – Pak players, as expected, don’t look up where there mates are, they believe in skills and solo runs. It works but less often than it used to.

An expert around me had seen SA’s game in the tournament and had bet with someone that SA will win against Pak. Pak’s game reminds me very much of how India plays. At one time, I shouted, “Abbasi, ball paas kar de.” Someone was witty enough to respond, “arey bhaiyya, tell him something that is possible.” That summed up the knowledge of the crowd.

The impossible was about to come true. SA took over the game 4-1 and Pak saved their face in the last 2 minutes, to finish it 4-3.

Now comes the match, we have been waiting for: ind v Eng. The game started and Indians were quite disciplined in first half. Good man to man marking, very little of solo runs, awesome coverage of the midfield but there were moments where the crowd was shouting, ‘Change the flank’, but Indians play on instincts; and that says go where there (read it, more opponents) is chance of becoming a hero.

There are 2 important things which we lack and will come with time: perseverance and ability to take off pressure. One instance of sloppy defence and England whacked one in. The defence is so loaded with attacks with little support from the forward line that they burn out after a while and are prone to make mistakes. (read it, concede goals). Although Indians were marking all 3/4 forward line players when ball was with England, India were being treated at par.However, there was something wrong. When the ball was with India in the mid-field, 3 forward line players were always in the D, very neatly marked. A guy shouted, ‘arey, come outside and get the ball instead of just waiting in the D.” – something I felt, that a common man can see, Brasa must have seen that as well.

In the 2nd half, as England went up by 3-0 the crowd was desperate, “arey 1 tou maar dou. Thousands are here to support you.”

The thing that made me sad was, although a lot of players have brought in a lot of discipline to the team, players from up north still don’t release the ball after a single touch (they take 4 to 5 touches and give time to opponents to recover), sometimes they don’t know how to trap the ball and they don’t care about the most basic thing: Look up when you move forward.

But as the day closed with India posing a very decent challenge to the Englishmen by losing 2-3, I realized how difficult it would be for Brasa. It not about Hockey, it’s about the mindset and instinct, i.e. to play as a team than as an individual. Few days back, Taeke Taekema said, “I have no personal goals for this WC. Had there been personal goal s I would have played Tennis, not Hockey.” Simple, isn’t it?

As I left the stadium, I was content person; to get to watch 3 matches of WC being with people who know Hockey well, being with who just came to watch without much knowledge, being with people who offer unconditional support to their team, people who cheer even in the dying moments; something which the Indians players also acknowledge by doing a round after the match. The playing of national anthem with 17k people standing and singing in unison is something that I have never done in my life. It’s was surely an emotional moment that made my throat heavy.

A Hockey professional next to me said, “You know how England is playing and how much India can pull but somewhere deep in your heart you wish, what If India pulls out a win.” His voice sunk and so did mine. I am fairly sure that every Indian supporter, who landed up at Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium on 6th Mar ’10, must have felt the same.

Who is bringing disrepute to Indian Hockey?

2010-02-24T13:46:00.002+05:30

Excerpts from the newspapers these days pertaining to Indian Hockey and Hero Honda World Cup 2010:

I was not let in the stadium.
I did not get some tickets that I wanted. (Whole world can get it online, though)
I fear that this World Cup will be worst one in this history.
I want everything to go fine but certain Government officials are taking time to materialize trivial things.

Does any of these happenings justify that you hit the news headlines the next day?

My question to the same people who blame others for the wrong doing is: How are you helping the very cause for which you are claim you feel bad about?

The problem with blame game is: The outside public totally shuts off from the whole arena itself. I, as a Hockey fan, don't care that in today's goof up who was right and who was wrong.
I just say, "Oh, just forget it!"
Few laugh at them as well.
Only Hockey fraternity reads these comments and fans just wonder when, at all, this will come to and end.
But our (so called) stalwarts fail to understand this.

Will the person who was denied entry to the stadium or the one didn't get tickets or the one who says that many are bringing disrepute to the game will stand up and say that they will not do this to others?
The very basic analysis of the situation tells me, they will!

I don't care who runs Hockey in this country yesterday or today or who stands a better chance to run it tomorrow but I am sure of one thing:
The people who claim that they are being ignored at various junctures are the ones who will do the same to others some day. These are people who are actually bringing disrepute to the very game that gave them an exquisite life.

Once I was told by a taxi driver, "We should not cheat tourists. It's because of their visit to this small place that we earn our living."
It's because of the game Hockey, former players are what they are today.

He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.

Golden Chance to become Indian Hockey hero!

2010-02-10T14:23:00.000+05:30

Indian Hockey faces a captaincy issue now.
Coach Jose Brasa says that he has nominated Prabhjot Singh for captaincy.
Hockey India officials claim that coach doesn't have a say in this matter and the captain, according to them, is Rajpal Singh.

Now, if you ask me, here are questions that shouldn't be thought about.

1) Is Brasa eligible to nominate the captain or not?

2) Has Hockey India taken a good decision or a decision with vested interests?

The people in debate are Rajpal Singh and Prabhjot Singh.
They are amongst the senior most players of the team. How they act at this time is what will be crucial in the coming days of the World Cup.

This time it's not the fight with the outside corrupt and incompetent officials. The country supported the previous fight because it was for a genuine cause and it was the betterment of the game.

This fight although, superfically, looks as if it's a fight between HI officials and Jose Brasa. But if 2 individuals take the baton in their hands and decide that they themselves can sort out the matter along with their team-mates, then it's only between 2 individuals - individuals who are amongst the best Hockey players in the country, right now.

The team will not do well without either of them. So, can't we have something like this - Either Rajpal or Prabhjot back out in the favour of other? Just for the sake of the team?

For it doesn't matter who will have the last word. It does matter what rank did the team have in the World Cup.
For it doesn't matter whether Brasa or Batra will win. It does matter that neither Prabhjot nor Rajpal should loose the spirit with which they enter the field everytime.

The one who backs-out does loose the captaincy but he surely will set an example for the generations to come - an example where the team spirit is more important than just a ceremonial post.

And that is where lies the golden chance to become Indian Hockey hero - a hero, with ultimate sportsmanship, who decided to hand over the leadership of the team to fellow team mate, at the World Cup, only and only for the sake of betterment of his team!

Hockey India officials goof up now

2010-01-13T12:31:00.001+05:30

You keep threatening extreme things to the other party, don't negotiate at all and nothing gets resolved.

Once the Indian Hockey Players sat on strike, it was a blunder from the players not to negotiate properly when they were in Delhi. They gave a statement that all is settled and made a U-turn within 24 hours of their decision.
However, the further complexity has been added by the Hockey India officials by threatening the players to be asked to leave and field another team in the Hero Honda World Cup 2010 scheduled to start on 28th Feb '09.

Hockey India Officials have made the same mistake which the players did: going extremes. This is not 1998 when Indian Hockey Federation dropped 6 players immediately after 1998 Asiad Gold Medal victory and still the Federation had it's way.

The media rules now. Whether they are right or not, but media rules. The internal dispute which could have been based on negotiation and continuous 2-way talk has become a contentious issue.
The officials could have dealt with the players much better.
They could have settled the immediate problem of ending the strike first. The players can still practise and talks can go on with Hockey India officials in Pune.

Although players' demands are genuine, Hockey India's stand also doesn't seem to be wrong. They say that the officially elected body will committ the salaries and can give only give limited money to the players.
However, it looks like there lacks a will from HI to solve the issue amicably.

It seems the officials are desperate and haven't even made one decent prolonged attempt to straighten out things with the players. Their mantra has been: Take whatever we give you or leave the arena.

It doesn't work out that way. The news has made to the front page of the leading dailies. Everyone has come in support of players. The players have got an excellent platform to venom their grievences in front of the whole nation. With so much money being promised by so many people from the country and the World, it seems like it's easy to get money from people but the officials.

HI officials are giving the same trash that offficials used to give decades back, "Play for the nation and forget money."
Unfortunately, it's doesn't work in 2010. Nearly the whole nation empathizes with the players when it comes to incompetent adminstration which has vested interests.

By such an extreme stand HI has ensured that they will lick where they spit.

I just wish that the camp starts soon because Brasa and his coaching team are waiting on the turf for the players to put up a good show in the World Cup.
Each day lost is costly to this nation, to the players and to the fans of Indian Hockey....

Indian Hockey Players stop play and sit on a strike...

2010-01-11T18:02:00.001+05:30

Indian Hockey Players have gone on a strike.

Here are the various thoughts going around:

Why did they take so long to escalate the issue?
Is there anyone in particular who is instigating this strike?
Wasn't it poorly orchestrated by the players?
Although, Brasa feels for the cause but has distanced himself from all this.
Players were on a promotional shoot for Hero Honda and hence a meeting materialized with Hockey India. Wasn't that opportunistic?
Gill says the matter can be solved in 15m!

How the general public sees it?

Although a few would empathize with the condition of the players but mostly people believe that players taking the country to ransom by stopping the ongoing camp, brings disrepute to the very game which they play. So, until and unless you have a bunch of ruthless adminstrators, such an action doesn't find approval from many in general public.

I agree, the demands must be genuine and the administrators may be truly thick-skinned but it can be debated what methodology players could have adopted to convey their point.
A bunch of players, who would turn out not to be the correct representatives of the whole lot, were supposed to be in the Capital for a promotional event.

Precisely a week before this, players give an ultimatum and sit on a strike. A couple of days later, stage is set for negotiation because, as planned, the players are in Delhi.

Whether it is opportunistic or not, is a debatable topic?

The players could have raised this topic earlier but for what reason the topic is escalated only now is beyond comprehension. Somehow I feel relieved that this happened now and not in the last week of February.

So, what are the other ways to convey your point but still don't downgrade the game?
- Sit on a rotational fast everyday to convey your point.
- Come up with creative methods to convey one’s point.
- Practice with a band on their arms that conveys that conveys their point symbolically. (Media will anyway report and the whole world will know their grievances)
- Keep sending letters (and copies of the same to the media) to Hockey India and prepare a fair ground for a strike and the negotiation.

The problem with the whole thing is: Players don't attend the camp, then they go on a meeting with the officials. The officials are perfect on negotiation skills. Players don’t have a dedicated leader and they lack negotiation skills.

To negotiate one must have a strong ground, a tuft negotiator and a dedicated leader in the fore-front.

Guess what happened? The players left Delhi saying that all is solved. Few hours later, made a U-turn. Possibly, they were not having a genuine leader!
Sitting on strike for non-payment of dues for 1 tournament, Champions Challenge, doesn't sound like a very strong point. I am not saying it's an invalid point. But strike is too extreme a step.

Imagine what the officials must be thinking: "Oh, you are a bunch of directionless people and after what you have done, we will give you peanuts. If you don’t settle in that, we know how to get things right."

Now, everyone knows the players are divided! Mind you, administrators also know!

I am fairly sure with such a weak front, officials will have their way, peacefully.

Was strike the only way to sort out this matter, is what I am wondering?

Sadly, this time, I just feel the players could have preserved the pride of the game and taken it forward in a much better manner.

Revolt can be genuine but how you conduct it will dictate its success.
Of how I foresee things, it's just a matter of days the camp will re-start with hardly anything extra than what is already promised.
Sad but true!!

India lose to Pak 3-6 in Champions Challenge in Salta Argentina

2009-12-13T09:45:00.004+05:30

Indian went down to Pakistan by 3-6 last night in Champions Challenge 2009 in Salta, Argentina.

The match was broadcast LIVE on Ten Sports. No doubts, it was Pakistan all over the place most of the time.
From the very begining, Pakistan made their intentions clear.
6 defenders and a awesome pass to Rehan Butt in the 2nd minute, Butt found the gate between Adrian's feet. This put India on defensive right away.

Few minutes later, getting a PC, they way Mahadik converted in the 8m, showed a lot of promise from Indians. But in the 1st half, thereafter, it was always Pakistan in control most of the time.

It was a treat watching Rehan Butt 2nd goal from the right of the net. Although he was very well marked and equally covered by Goalkeeper, the way he smacked the ball is nothing but insolence. His 2 goals are exemplary of his mercilessness and arrogance.

On the contrary Indians frontline lacked that confidence and Pakis were never desperate while defending either. There were moments when Indians were charging quickly towards to the Pakistan's D, but Pakistan defense line had their role defined crystal clear.

With a PC conversion by Sohail Abbas, it was 3-1 and Pakistan's shoulders were high as the players went for a lemon break.

The 4th goal scored by Haseem Khan was another one that must have made Pak fans jump from their seats.

Towards the last 10m, the Indian defensive looked tired. This was evident by the way Dhananjay Mahadik conceeded a short corner to Pakistan.
Few minutes later, as the score read 4-1, Prabhjot Singh hit the ball on the defender's foot, earning a short corner for India. The style of his shot outlined the state of Indian team, i.e. desperate. Diwakar Ram didn't make any mistake and the score was 4-2.

At certain moments, it was interesting to see that India was very much in attack and in control of the ball in the striking circle. But what came to Pak's rescue was their flawless man to man marking at this time.

2 defenders, 2 forwards, goalkeeper lying few yards away from the goal post, and 1 defender acting as a goalkeeper and Rehan Butt's brilliance was the scene at the time 5th goal.

Compared to the past, Indians passing was much better and there were no empty slap shot on the top of the D. However, Indians looked defensive and were edgy doing that. Pakistan, certainly, outplayed India as far as energy levels and capacity to cover the whole ground is concerned.

The gaps between Indian defensive line and the linksmen also was huge at times.
The interesting aspect of the the match was the number of Field Goals that Pakistan netted during this match; 4. Whereas, India got all their 3 goals from Penalty Corners.

All in all, Pakistan go into the finals with their heads high and blooming confidence levels. Let's see how they fare against the Black Sticks.

Here's the most interesting aspect of this tournament. 6 teams qualified for the Champions Trophy. These teams happen to be World's top 6 teams.
Champions Challenge has 8 lower ranked teams. Here's how they rank.

7th Pakistan
8th New Zealand
9th Belgium
10th Argentina
11th Canada
12th India
13th China
15th South Africa

Now, see the line up of Champions Challenge finals: It is Pakistan v New Zealand; very much in line with the FIH rankings.
This means India stands 9th or 10th in World Hockey. The same is true for Argentina.
So, more or less, didn't FIH rankings predict the results of Champions Challenge?

Clueless..

2009-12-01T16:31:00.003+05:30

Five Players boycott national camp in Pune

2009-11-17T12:34:00.001+05:30

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_five-players-boycott-national-camp-in-pune_1312645

Click the above DNA link and read for yourself.

The report is about Indian Men's Hockey team practising in a camp at Pune.

Now, here are the certain ways I can read it:

1) The players who were not selected for Champions Challenge Trophy in Salta, Argentina, will feel humiliated if they attend the camp, hence they bunked it.

2) They didn't get selected hence they are cribbing about the things they don't like there.

3) They were too egoistic in their approach. They feel that they can't learn from someone who is teaching them the basics which 'they think' they are very good at.

In no way, I believe that Brasa is dictatorial. Also, the report is using certain facts to one's convenience.
It indicates that, incidently, Brasa's tiff with Sandeep Singh was followed by Sandeep Singh's departure from the team. Point to be noted here is Sandeep Singh has been declared unfit based on medical reports and will not even play the World Cup. Forgot playing the Champions Challenge.

The report says that there is a growing discontent within the team over the coaching methods adopted by Brasa.
Fair enough; as always, there will be players on the other side.
It will be unfair to judge Brasa's methods before his methods go through a thorough time test.

7th Women's Asia Cup 2009 Day 4 Results Pool Table

2009-11-01T14:16:00.000+05:30

Some more updates are available on the website.

http://womenshockeyasiacup2009bangkok.blogspot.com/

The Points (Pool) Table, Fixtures, Results are updated as well.

7th Women's Hockey Asia Cup 2009

2009-10-29T15:10:00.001+05:30

The following site will track all the developments,news, results, fixtures, pool standings and table of the 7th Women's Hockey Asia Cup, 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand.

http://womenshockeyasiacup2009bangkok.blogspot.com/

India beats Canada 6-0 in 7 Test Series

2009-10-29T15:06:00.001+05:30

In the 7 Test Series, India beat Canada 6-0 thereby registering a comprehensive victory in 7 match Test Series between India and Canada hosted by Canada from 10th Oct to 24th Oct 2009.

1st Match: India Won 2-0 Tushar Khandkar(FG), Sandeep Singh(PC)
2nd Match: India Won 4-3 Dhajanay Mahadik (2PC), Mohammad Amir Khan (FG), Shivendra Singh (FG)

3rd Match: Draw 4-4 Sandeep Singh (4PC)

4th Match: India Won 2-0 Vikram Pillay(FG), Rajpal Singh(FG)

5th Match: India Won 3-1 Danish Mujtaba(FG), Sandeep Singh(PC), Sandeep Singh(PC)

6th Match: India Won 3-1 Shivendra Singh(FG), Sarwanjit Singh(FG), Shivendra Singh(FG)

7th Match: India Won 3-2 Prabhjot Singh(FG), Gurvinder Chandi(FG), Tushar Khandkar(FG)

Congratulations to the whole team and their coach, Jose Brasa!

Source: http://www.fieldhockey.ca/

I love Indian Hockey Players but...

2009-10-15T15:25:00.006+05:30

I am deeply saddened by something that has happened recently with regards to my Hockey life.

I heard from unreliable sources, that a lot of people are upset with regards to my not-for-profit efforts in the field of Hockey. Reason, is simple: They wonder and doubt what makes me come to Hockey.

If I say, I love Hockey and that's what makes me do work and spend for Hockey -> Is percieved as, I have some hidden agenda.

Who am I? I am just another simple looking face in the crowd. I am an ordinary man in Bangalore. By his (whomsoever created this World) grace, I have things that a person of my age can dream of having.

Apart from that, I just love Hockey. But it doesn't end here. I dream of a future where children of today grow up tomorrow and feel a pride in saying, 'I love Hockey.' I don't want my children to be like the way many of my friends are. Many people in my circle don't know about Hockey. I want to change this tomorrow. I want to see a better tomorrow.

Now, what do I get? The question is simple, but if one can understand, the answer is simple too. And the answer: A happiness of my face which not many people have today.

Now the criticism and apprehension come from none other than former players, whom I respect enormously. I have seen their videos and their games. They were the best and some still are, even today.

However, I saw the darker side of their characters. I realized how ordinary human beings they are that they feel ignored and threatened by my efforts in the field of Hockey. Remember, not more than 200 people know me all over the World.

These people are the ones whom the whole World knows and loves. The media writes about them. Hence, the city, the state and the country looks up to them. They are award winners.

They say when they, who are the official lovers of the game are not involved in such activities, then who am I?

I am saddened to say, we have very less role models in the Hockey fraternity.

With a very low state of mind, I have to say, I am a fan of all such players but only of their on-field activities.

However, one thing even this low state of mind knows -> Criticism makes a person more strong in what he wants.

I will pursue my vision of tomorrow, this time with added passion.

Should Government help Indian Hockey?

2009-09-19T21:33:00.002+05:30

Disclaimer: By this blog, I am not targetting any individual. I am targetting a mindset - the mindset of getting things without 'earning' them, the mindset of recognition only in India and not abroad. By no means, I intend to dishonour any awarding systems or awards such. I respect each and every player or individual who ever made it to the playing-11.

Check this link:
http://blogs.cricinfo.com/surfer/archives/2009/09/harsha_unplugg.php
Harsha Bhogle has a point. A person of his calibre anyway can't just simply blabber anything.

The thing that bothers me, all the while, is the dependency of the whole system on the Government. For everything that went wrong, Government is responsible. Government is not taking care of development of Hockey, Government is not providing the facilities, Government is not taking care of health and care, players future, and the list goes on.

I actually feel, we need a scapegoat and we have picked "Government" for that.
Many Hockey players pursue sports like bread and butter. They don't study, they just play Hockey with the eventual dream to play for the country. They play finally, get themselves a Public Sector job through Sports Quota (remember, it comes irrespective of qualification) and then keep blaming that company itself (read it, Government) for various things that go wrong in their professional lives.
It doesn't stop at that. When they don't get assistance when they expect, you know who you can blame!
Answer me a question: You played and only played all your life. If you ask me, you had fun through out. You pursued "your passion". How come you can ask Government for freebies in that case?

When it come to awards, our aim is only to get Government recognition, i.e. Arjuna Award. That is what they fight for, year after year.
I beg your pardon, there are other awards as well, remember FIH Player of the year?
Not many think about this is evident from the fact that not many know when and where Champions Trophy is happening, because India is not playing in that. Our knowledge of International Hockey is below average.
Leave aside International award, Indian Players fail to make it to FIH All Star Hockey team either every year. If not the saving grace by Dilip Tirkey, (that too in 2007) Indian players don't even feature anywhere close to that list.
Can you blame the Government for that as well?
India doesn't win any major tournament that's a different (and debatable) topic but shouldn't Indian players feature in such lists? Fair enough, the coach, the system, the Federation is all screwed up but why doesn't your name go beyond Arjuna Award?

But somewhere we think small and we contend with small things. And then, when, one wins Arjuna Award or a Dronacharya Award it is sufficient to pave his way with the Government (officials) and we all, being title obsessed ( e.g.: My visiting card may read: Shashank Gupta, xyz Awardee), start saluting an Arjuna Awardee and treat them as demi-Gods.

We have to think big, only then we can achieve that. One thing I know, for sure, is big things are not achieved by dependency on a State, it's achieved by creating a system that's not dependent on freebies and continous non stop grants...

Jose Brasa does well with Indian Hockey

2009-08-20T17:43:00.004+05:30

Jose Brasa did well to keep the expectations of Indian people low. He stated clearly: This tour is to give the team the exposure of new techniques rather than winning.
Here's what they did:
India v England, Birmingham
First Test: Lost 1-3
Second Test: Won 3-2
Third Test: Lost 3-4
England won the series 2-1
India v Belgium, Braxgata,Boom
First Test: Lost 3-6
Second Test: Won 4-3
Third Test: Won 2-0
India won the series 2-1
India v Spain, Terassa, Spain
First Test: Lost 8-2
Second Test: Won 1-0
Third Test: Lost 4-5
Spain won the series 2-1
India v Netherlands, Amsterdam:
First Test: Lost 3-5
Second Test: Draw 3-3

Current FIH ranking is as follows:
Spain - 3
Netherlands - 4
England - 7
Belgium - 9
India - 12

Getting beaten by Spain 8-2 and then making a comeback of 1-0 is no joke by any means.
Beating England in the test series is not that simple. The same England was nearly invincible in Chile Olympics in early 2008. So, I give points to the Indian coach here as well.
India has met Belgium in Azlan Shah as well. So, beating a better ranked team is surely a morale booster.
However, the pleasant surprise comes with Netherlands. First Test lost 3-5. NOT BAD! .. and 2nd test, finishes 3-3. Netherlands is one of the tuftest teams of contemporary Hockey.
I will peacefully believe that Jose Brasa is not doing that bad at all.
I hope and wish this momentum keeps going on.
Well done, Mr. Brasa! Keep going on like this!

Indian Hockey goalkeeper Baljit Singh may loose his eye

2009-07-20T12:17:00.002+05:30

It's a sad and very unfortunate news.
While training in Pune, 2 days back, Baljit Singh, got hurt in his right eye, really badly.
He was rushed to AIIMS, Delhi, and there, he has undergone operation. The doctors have not given anyone any hope of his vision being saved.

With absolutely no comment on anything apart from my concern for him, I wish and pray that he recovers with minimal damage to his vision. I feel sad and bad for him...

No medal, then fun for what?

2009-06-01T12:20:00.002+05:30

'A widow has no rights to involve in anything that gives her happiness.'

'A kid who flunked in his/her exams should spend all his/her time in exile.'

and what follows is obvious:

'Our Hockey players are not entitled to any fun'

Why? Because they always loose so they shouldn't do any activity that gives them relaxation or happiness. They should be lying somewhere in one corner and are, possibly, expected to weep on the condition of Hockey.

I am not claiming this but this is what I read from a comment on a website where one picture showed Indian players involved in stress-busting activites and the comment read something like, 'how can they .. when they never win a medal..?'

OK, I just wish they don't do anything like that. That will, surely, bring a medal...right?

It's the thinking of such comment writers that is biggest impediment in the revival of Hockey.

India crashes out of Asia Cup 2009

2009-05-13T12:29:00.004+05:30

Yeah, it's sad, unbelieveable and highly unfortunate.
That is all it is, I feel.
But one disease that haunts Indian Hockey is that of severe criticism from Hockey fraternity.
People who were shown the door at one time, are eveready to comment how the current defeat could have been avoided by doing something in the past.
Guess what Joaquim Carvalho has to say about Asia Cup 2009 loss? - An unfit team, espacially, senior players, is the culprit.
It perpeptually looks like people are waiting for the current coach to fail.
This is what I remember about Carvalho. People kept mum till the time India won under his coaching. No one kept quiet when India lost Olympics Qualifier, Chile 2008.
I am sure Mr. Carvalho would have felt bad about the loss and would have felt further sad about
the criticism that followed.
But how better Mr. Carvalho is from anyone else who ripped him apart after that disastrous tour, is anyone's guess!

There is another fact that needs attention:
China are no more minnows. Doha Asiad 2006 Gold Medal was not a fluke.
Pakistan will not always be as weak they used to be when India met them last time.

When India crashed out in Chile qualifier, there was a conspiracy theory that FIH had framed the Qualifier in such a way that it became difficult for India.
I am wondering there must be another conspiracy theory that this time, in Asia Cup, too, India was placed in a more competitive pool. Hence, the conspired outcome!

Dr.Deepak Seth-Bombay Gold Cup Review

2009-05-07T15:48:00.002+05:30

Bombay Gold Cup Review

by Dr. Deepak Seth

I cannot help but write about this tremendous opportunity that I was afforded.
Allowing this resident Californian to witness hockey at the local level, that translates into the fare dished out at the current edition of the Mumbai Gold Cup.
I was lucky enough to observe many of the matches & would religiously make the trek to the BHA ground to be amongst the few spectators watching the competition. AND HERE ARE SOME OF MY OBSERVATIONS. As is my habit I will start with the positives & then dwell on the innumerable negatives,

POSITIVES
1.I saw an incredible captain, in Dhananjay Mahadik, not only, because his was an all round brilliant performance worthy of a captain, the defensive stops & policing of important players, his superb PC conversions as drag flicker for his team, his outstanding passing, confirming without doubt that he is decidedly the best pure passer in India, (something that our country desperately needs), not only because he won the “player of the tournament award”, an affirmation by others of this writer’s impression., if there were an award for an assist leader, he would have won it handily.
MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL THIS WAS HIS BARKING OUT INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS TEAM FROM ANYWHERE ON THE FIELD & HIS TEAM RESPONDING TO THEM.. It was fascinating to watch this performance from a true leader, who showed an incredible vision of the game & how his team should take advantage of the situation as it was evolving currently on the pitch. His continuous cajoling of his team to play faster, his calling of plays, his encouragement to younger colleagues to press, press & press, & as a result engineer a turnover of the ball for his team, WAS A TREAT TO WATCH, CULMINATING IN HIS BEING INSTRUMENTAL IN HIS TEAM WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
Yet it is indeed a crying shame that this youngster is not our national team captain, let aside not even being on our national team, Even no less a person than Dhanraj Pillay has acknowledged his exploits for his Army team of no star studded members, yet propelling it to win championships despite having competitors with veritable India teams in them, like Air India, Indian Oil, PSB & BPCL. He does video capture & analysis, does all the brain work, for his team, leads by example. He has been recognized by independent German writers as the most impressive player for his 1st Division playing German Club T G Frankenthal. He is currently the only Indian player playing in Germany, yet our own sports writers & selectors are blind to his extraordinary skills, both on & off the pitch.

2. the umpiring was top class, each & every one of them. Great control, good decisions very few challenges by players, some of which were entirely genuine, where an adequate explanation for the reason for the call or non call would have been sufficient.
3. My next image is of the Army Team, disciplined, fit, plays modern hockey, half backs going up in support of their forwards, fast, with of course a tremendous captain, I did not see any hard hits from their full backs, restarts were quick, modern & efficient, as was their PC Battery, I am beginning to see elements of modern hockey slowly creeping in to their culture, a direct benefit of the voracious appetite of their captain to imbibe knowledge from all over the world. IT IS FITTING THAT THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP, THEY WERE THE BEST TEAM ON VIEW!

4. A little player by the name of Mangesh from Southern railway, all of 20 yrs old, who has incredible off the ball running skills, good ball control & dribbling skills, was a thorn in side of all the teams, including the above mentioned Army team, in fact he single handedly won 2 PCs for his team against them. He is completely tireless, a ball of energy & plays the lone striker role superbly. To me he is a dream player for a team who need to play counterattack, or take time off the clock particularly when leading. WHERE ARE THE SCOUTS & THE SELECTORS , THE VISIONARIES & HOW MANY SUCH TALENTED GEMS ARE WE MISSING FROM LITTLE TEAMS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY. Is he on our < 21 team No Sir! He probably does not have the right connections, or no scouts have looked at him. Yet in my book he would be a very useful player, & his stamina is incredible.
5.the superlative trapping of the Indian Oil team, the fact that they come together 10 days before a tournament aka Australia. Hcky Team, yet continue to practice in their respective cities, yet put up a tremendous show.
6.The defensive grit of the PSB team reminding us of the teams of yester years from Punjab, like Punjab Police & BSF. It is again a tragedy that we cannot find any defensive minded players from this great state, though scouting for a speedy sardar would be crucial.
7.the play of old war horses Dhanraj Pillay & Sabu Varkey, an essential & much needed guidance for the youngsters,
8.PC striking rate of Gursewak Singh was fantastic, even against the Army. It astonishes me that India cannot give this guy a looksee, after all his proven, past, exploits for Western Railway.
9.THERE WAS NO DEARTH OF GOAL SCORING THROUGHOUT THE TOURNAMENT.

NEGATIVES

1.There were hardly any spectators in the stadium, which is a crying shame. It certainly did not do justice to the tremendous effort & skill that was on display, in all aspects of the conduct of the tournament, from the players to officials to announcers to ceremonies to the officiating. India hockey fans, for a game that is played even now with such tremendous skill, where thrills abound at a breathtaking pace, where a group of diehard players ,officials & count on your fingers, fans, brave innumerable odds, including the suffocating & senseless pressure of cricket mania, to plod on, to work & take part in the game they love & are not afraid to stand up for it , you are worthy of being disappointed.
2.Lack of old players, SCOUTS & SELECTORS, so how will you find the Mangeshs’ of Indian hockey, if you do not see any games.
3,No TV cameras, do not tell me DDR that even Coorg, Chota Nagpur & Punjab have no interest in hockey. I do not believe you.
4.Very little combo play from any team in fact I did not see any team put together a string of 3 consecutive passes amongst their team members. Every time there was a combo play it created danger for their opponent. IN fact Western Railway took the lead from such a play but lost their game 1-9.
5.Too many hard hits down the center of the pitch that were difficult to control.
6.Too little communication on the pitch except Mahadik & Mangesh.
7.Tactically most teams were poor & rolling substitutions were inadequately utilized, to give players a much needed rest.
8.Changing direction of play depending on the traffic clogging the field, trying to find the open man in order to create a numerical advantage, was deficient.
9.Too many touches on the ball allowing the opponents to recover, too many mistraps, except for Indian Oil.

In conclusion the wheels of Indian hockey towards modernity are turning but slowly, youngsters like Mahadik will be the catalysts & show tremendous promise, THERE IS NO DEARTH OF HOCKEY TALENT BUT I SUSPECT TEACHING IS AT A PREMIUM & SUPPORT OF PLAYERS FROM YESTER YEARS IS POOR

Jose Brasa is Indian Hockey Coach

2009-05-05T14:49:00.003+05:30

This was the most awaited annoucement with regards to Indian Men's Hockey. For over 8 months, the news has been going around for Jose Brasa, the coach for 1992 Gold Medalist Spain's Womens' Hockey team, becoming Indian Men's Hockey coach.
Finally, yesterday, he has signed a contract with Sports Authority of India and has been appointed as the 'Chief Coach' of Indian Hockey (Men).
I am extremely positive that his contractual entry into our Hockey, will have an tremendous positive on the the entire sport.
I am wondering, how difficult it will be for the 57 year old and how will he sustain the Indian style of functioning! :)
One thing is for sure, first time, we have an international coach, who has coached a team to Gold medal in Olympics, in the contemporary times! (read it as, 17 years back)
Welcome, Mr. Brasa! I am positive that you will give a wonderful forward kick to this whole system.

Talk with an official

2009-05-05T14:37:00.002+05:30

On Saturday, I went to meet a Hockey professional, who happens to be a good friend of mine.

An entirely personal visit it was supposed to be. (I didn’t know that I will be keen to write about it, after coming back.)

But, towards the end, as I was about to leave, my friend took me to certain officials and introduced me to them. He went to tell them that I am doing voluntary work for the development of Hockey.

Although I had no intentions of meeting the officials but here I was presenting what “One Thousand Hockey Legs” project is all about.

Here comes to the most interesting part:As I told that we recently concluded a Summer Camp in Pondicherry, an official (let’s call them Official 1) asked another one (let’s call them Official 2), “Do you know about it?”

Apparently, Official 2 is from Pondicherry.

Here’s the boomer.

Official 2 immediately starts off, goes on and on leaving no stones unturned telling Official 1 how we have:

1) Ignored Government schools from our schemes of things.

2) Taken help of non-technical people to run the show in Pondicherry.Official 1 was smart enough to correct Official 2, “Your approach is not the best one. They are doing voluntary work. You should first appreciate their work. Then you should sit with them and talk to them conveying things that you both can work upon. If you behave this way, they will not get back to you at all.”

I tried giving assurances like, “You can call me. We can discuss later.”

But no assurance, no counter argument could stop Official 2.May be they were looking for some brownie points with the other officials.

Anyhow, that doesn’t matter.

The answer, to those questions, from my side:

1) We do have 2 Government schools with us. To get the Government schools to tie up with us, we need to go through Director (Education). Our proposal was put to them, back in December.

2) Hockey is being taught by Hockey coaches.Honestly speaking, I got a taste (may be, very little) of what Hockey administration is about.

Later on, during a discussion, a close friend of mine, a Hockey professional, shared a few words of wisdom, “Be careful. Submissiveness is not humility, here.”

Friedrich Nietzsche quotes,

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

KPS Gill rates Azlan Shah victory of little consequence

2009-04-15T15:12:00.002+05:30

KPS Gill, the ousted Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) President who is fighting a court case after his Federation was suspended by IOA, last year, never ceases to be in news.
For larger section of newspapers, it doesn't matter what he says. For some, it still does.
Recently KPS Gill said, "This win is not worth much. There was no formidable team in competition. This win will neither help the team psychologically against top teams nor for regional competitions like the upcoming Asia Cup."

I can agree to one fact that there were not many top ranked teams in the competition. Pakistan team is already struggling with it's quality of the team. Black Sticks were the only team which have a World Hockey presence but they still are lower ranked.
However, this fact cannot undermine another fact, i.e. India won the Azlan Shah Cup. One cannot take away that credit from them. A win, be it against the minnows, is always a confidence booster. Yes, a win against some top ranked teams can give you a different level of confidence.

Had India lost the tournament (although being a fan, I never wanted that), I would be keen to hear what the critics would have to say? If they would have had criticism at that time, they can't have the same on a win! :)

Apart from that, I feel that Mr. KPS Gill ruled Hockey for more than ?13? years, he should give minimum 1+3=4 years to really assess that another administration is actually spoiling it or doing it better than him!
You can't comment on someone's performance in just a year! .. Come on, Gill saheb, let's stand by our team and, for one moment, leaving aside everything and congratulate them! :)

India wins Azlan Shah Cup 2009

2009-04-13T14:12:00.002+05:30

After a gap of 14 years, India won Sultan Azlan Shah Cup '09 version.
India beat Malaysia in the final, 3-1.
India's journey in the tournament:
India v Egypt: 2-2 Draw
India v Malaysia: 3-0 India won
India v Newzealand: 2-2 Draw
India v Pakistan: 2-1 India won
India v Malaysia: Finals India won by 3-1.
Great news!
Keep going like this!
Congratulations to all the players and their coach, Harendra Singh.

Hockey Lesson from IPL

2009-03-23T11:53:00.002+05:30

Question: Why Hockey is in such a state as it is today?
Answer 1: Because of Person A, Person B,.. who killed it.
Answer 2: Because of State Government
Answer 3: Because of Central Government.
Answer 4: Because of xyz State Association.
Answer 5: Because of abc Governing Body (authority).
Answer 6: Because of corrupt officials.
Answer 7: Because of self-obsessed former Hockey Players.
Answer 8: Because of impartial (read it, harsh) treatment metted out to Indian Hockey.
Answer 9: Because of no sponsors coming in support of Hockey.
Answer 10: Because of Hockey being played on turf.

Today's dailies read, after weeks of negotiation with the Union Home Ministry, IPL will be conducted in some outside country.
Reason: IPL organizers are united on the fact that at General Elections time, they all in consensus that internal security is very important. However, they don't want the tournament (and viewers) to suffer because of that.

Be neutral to both Cricket and Hockey, tell me (with reason) whom should I salute?

Don't divert my attention when India wins...

2009-02-04T10:37:00.003+05:30

There is no better moment than to see India win a Hockey match and that too convincingly.

Yesterday, India beat Germany 2-0 with the custodian Baljeet Singh being honoured as the man of the match.

I cheered from my living room when I saw Indian guys running around after the match. One of most happy evenings for me, in the past few days!

Brilliant work, by the whole team and not to be forgotten, the coach, Harendra Singh. Somehow, I feel that Harendra Singh doesn't seem to seeing any bias between the players and just plays the one who is good.

However, I feel there is a something that our system needs to look at.

Disclaimer: I have got nothing personal to do with anyone and nor do I know the dynamics between the coach and the selectors.

My contention is simple:

Lashing back at others, does it help? You may yes, the selector has been made to shut up! The selector must be thinking how long does the victory spree last for?

So, you win, you give him one! .. and then he waits for another opportunity to give you back one. The media gets spice and it's all over the newspapers once again. Outsider fans like me, feel, "How does it ever change?"

According to me, the victory speaks volumes for itself. People who never believed in you anyway don't know where to take their faces now! So, telling them this explicitely, takes away few moments from the glorious attention that this special occasion of beating World Champions, Germany, demands.

If you ask me, the coach in the Press Conference could have talked about who have shown belief in him thereby making a positive gesture his supporters rather than bringing up people who hardly contributed anything to this victory.

Also, there is another side to it. Had someone not shown disbelief in you, you wouldn't have had the hunger and desperation to prove them wrong.

I feel and believe: The best way to treat your disbelievers is to committ to prove them wrong and then ignore them altogether. You move on and thereby, you push the whole generation to think forward and ignore what is irrelevant.

Meet: Indian Hockey's Double, Triple Olympian...

2008-11-12T09:49:00.006+05:30

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...

Ask a question related to Indian Hockey

2008-11-07T10:38:00.004+05:30

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.

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! :)

Special Request: Be kind to me when you ask the question! :). Please don't spam the page.

Indian Hockey Men's Coach Harinder Singh calls for a foriegn Penalty Corner Specialist

2008-11-02T00:06:00.004+05:30

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 ...

Carving a niche of her own-Anupama

2008-10-13T14:11:00.004+05:30

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.

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)

It will be IOCL v BCPL for the championship

2008-10-12T12:00:00.004+05:30

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.

KSHA Super Division League-Points Table

2008-10-10T18:12:00.003+05:30

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.

Karnataka Super Division League-Points Table

2008-10-07T15:19:00.004+05:30

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).

An evening with M K Kaushik

2008-10-06T11:30:00.003+05:30

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.

A day at the Super Division League Bangalore

2008-10-06T10:18:00.005+05:30

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! :)

Air India v Indian Oil...

2008-09-23T16:28:00.002+05:30

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?

Indian Hockey is bleeding...is there a doctor around?

2008-09-22T16:19:00.002+05:30

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 ...

To MK Kaushik- Indian Hockey Team Coach

2008-09-18T14:02:00.003+05:30

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".

Letter to Ric Charlesworth

2008-08-07T14:04:00.005+05:30

Ric Charlesworth must have left India by now.
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.

For more, one can refer, the following stick2hockey link
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.

4 Indian Hockey Coaches go to Beijing

2008-08-04T12:34:00.004+05:30

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.

Carvalho and Dronacharya Award

2008-07-30T17:06:00.003+05:30

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?

Indian Women's Hockey team training in Bangalore...

2008-07-29T15:21:00.004+05:30

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!

Kaushik, Jagbir or someone else?

2008-07-24T16:51:00.003+05:30

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....

Foreigner v Indian

2008-07-24T16:11:00.002+05:30

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!! :)

FIH, IOA and Hockey India

2008-07-20T20:35:00.002+05:30

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.

AHF Professionalism

2008-07-20T20:10:00.003+05:30

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?

Jr. Asia Cup victory

2008-07-20T20:02:00.004+05:30

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! :)

Ric Charlesworth interested in taking Kookaburras job

2008-07-17T14:41:00.000+05:30

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."

Bitter medicine for the Aussie doctor

2008-07-17T14:39:00.000+05:30

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

IOA plans interviews for Indian Hockey Coach

2008-07-15T11:50:00.002+05:30

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....

Olympians-Explained in Indian Hockey context

2008-07-14T14:39:00.006+05:30

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....

Decline of Indian Hockey Administration....

2008-07-12T22:19:00.005+05:30

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!

Bremen 4 nation Women Hockey, Germany

2008-07-10T14:55:00.003+05:30

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

yet again murmurs....

2008-06-23T16:04:00.005+05:30

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...!

Azlan Shah SILVER and Sandeep Singh

2008-05-22T11:56:00.011+05:30

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!

Curtains for the Gill and Jothikumaran era ...

2008-04-29T10:18:00.005+05:30

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.

Hockey low in news, so what's next?

2008-03-31T12:04:00.004+05:30

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...

Hail P T Usha ... I respect you to the core...

2008-03-20T17:48:00.004+05:30

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

Hockey - my real thoughts...

2008-03-19T21:29:00.001+05:30

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...

Hockey - Talk show excerpts...

2008-03-19T21:10:00.002+05:30

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...

Hockey Debacle

2008-03-16T14:36:00.003+05:30

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