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.
Friday, October 10, 2008
KSHA Super Division League-Points Table
The points table at the KSHA Super Division as of today, with Canara Bank drawing with Army Red 4-4 and Army Green beating KSP, stands as follows:
Looks like it will be boil down to the last match between IOCL v BPCL to decide who wins the league. Army Red more or less set for the 3rd place in this year's league.
Looks like it will be boil down to the last match between IOCL v BPCL to decide who wins the league. Army Red more or less set for the 3rd place in this year's league.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Karnataka Super Division League-Points Table
The Points Table, as of today, for Karnataka Super Division League is as follows:
The Super Division League is being conducted at Sports Authority Of India (SAI), South Center, Kengeri in Bangalore. The tournament is being conducted by Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA).
The Super Division League is being conducted at Sports Authority Of India (SAI), South Center, Kengeri in Bangalore. The tournament is being conducted by Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA).
Monday, October 6, 2008
An evening with M K Kaushik
After some hit and trails, I finally met M K Kaushik, current Indian Womens' Hockey team coach.
Yet another, down to earth person, who lives for his passion, Hockey, Kaushik saheb comes across as a person who has a lot to say about the System of whom he is a part of but doesn't forget the most important lessons of life, which many of us forget many times, i.e. Laugh and smile keeps one young all the time.
While talking to him, I realized how easy it is for people to comment that Hockey personnels are always involved in negative publicity of the game whereas the reality is sometimes extremely painful to even listen.
Eager to hear what the other person has to share, Kaushik saheb is simplicity personified. Carrying no air of a national level coach or Deputy Director of Haryana Sports Department, Kaushik saheb, knows how to connect to people immediately.
With a gesture of hospitality, Kaushik himself got up and offered us some cold drinks.
I feel at an age of 50+ people resist 'change' but disputing this (mis)conception of mine, Kaushik saheb has no qualms in admitting that he doesn't know much about the Internet World. However, reflecting the true trait of a coach, his next line is, "But I am eager to learn more of it and have sent a few emails successfully in the past few days."
Sharing the good old times, when he was a player, the times when he was the coach at the Bangkok Asiad in 1998, the turbulent times after the writing of "The Golden Boot" to his experiences with Indian Womens' Hockey team, his dealings with the adminstration, his work for Chak De India movie, it was a celebration to spend a couple of hours with one of most respected persons of Hockey personality - Maharaj Krishan Kaushik - A person, who has attempted his best, amongst severe pressure from all spheres, to live for only one thing: Hockey.
Long live passionate people like him.
Yet another, down to earth person, who lives for his passion, Hockey, Kaushik saheb comes across as a person who has a lot to say about the System of whom he is a part of but doesn't forget the most important lessons of life, which many of us forget many times, i.e. Laugh and smile keeps one young all the time.
While talking to him, I realized how easy it is for people to comment that Hockey personnels are always involved in negative publicity of the game whereas the reality is sometimes extremely painful to even listen.
Eager to hear what the other person has to share, Kaushik saheb is simplicity personified. Carrying no air of a national level coach or Deputy Director of Haryana Sports Department, Kaushik saheb, knows how to connect to people immediately.
With a gesture of hospitality, Kaushik himself got up and offered us some cold drinks.
I feel at an age of 50+ people resist 'change' but disputing this (mis)conception of mine, Kaushik saheb has no qualms in admitting that he doesn't know much about the Internet World. However, reflecting the true trait of a coach, his next line is, "But I am eager to learn more of it and have sent a few emails successfully in the past few days."
Sharing the good old times, when he was a player, the times when he was the coach at the Bangkok Asiad in 1998, the turbulent times after the writing of "The Golden Boot" to his experiences with Indian Womens' Hockey team, his dealings with the adminstration, his work for Chak De India movie, it was a celebration to spend a couple of hours with one of most respected persons of Hockey personality - Maharaj Krishan Kaushik - A person, who has attempted his best, amongst severe pressure from all spheres, to live for only one thing: Hockey.
Long live passionate people like him.
A day at the Super Division League Bangalore
20km away from home, with hot weather on a partly sunny Saturday, I somehow managed to reach the SAI Center(South), Kengeri, Bangalore, at around 1310 hours.
My mentor, Shanmugham ji, was playing for Canara Bank in the Super Division League Match against Fortis.
The game scheduled for 1300 hrs had already begun. I must say these guys were on schedule! The score was 0-0. Although, the view on the SAI turf's sidelines is not the best of ones but still I enjoyed watching the quick movement of the players sometimes on my side, sometimes on the other flank.
All this while, I couldn't believe that there was no spectator on this side of the turf. I was the lone one and when Canara Bank scored their first goal, I could hear the echo of my clapping!
It's understandable that SAI turf is a training turf and doesn't attract crowd in anyway. Some adminsitrative reasons didn't leave the organisers (KSHA) with any other option but to host the tournament at SAI, Kengeri.
As the game progressed, and so did the heat, I recognized Ajitesh, Sandeep Micheal and our own, Diwakar Ram, playing for the Fortis.
The most enjoyable sight of Hockey players is the fact that Hockey players are representatives of common public. They are so down to earth and modest that it makes you fall in love with the whole environment itself.
For me, on this day, watching Shanmugham ji, as a player, was different. I realized that an individual on the turf and outside the ground are completely different.
During the game, while defending a short corner (read it as, drag flick from Diwakar Ram) got the a ball on his chest. He collapsed for a minute. A stroke was awarded but Shanmugham ji was struggling to stand straight. I was concerned. But things settled for the better when he has substituted.
As the half time came in, I crossed over to the other side of the turf to just see what goes on at the players benches during this break. While walking, I was greeting by a known person who asked me, with sheer surprise and unbelieveable expression, "Here, to see Shanu play?". I just said, 'Yeah'.
Next question was, 'Do you live close by?". I said, "No!"
I wondered how come Hockey fraternity doesn't believe that there are some fans who just come to watch matches!
The scene at the players bench was a little low profile. A match at 1300 hours, with sun right on the top, it looked as if the players were not only sapped off of their physical energy but mental energy as well.
Khalid ji, the coach, was not his usual high as I have seen him in previous Canara Bank matches.
Checking with Shanu ji if he is OK, I moved on back to my original position to watch the second half.
As the Bankers trailed by 1-3, and 15m into the second half, I saw some players, with their kit on their shoulders, walk to benches where I was sitting. They were hulks and they were chit chatting about normal daily life Hockey related things. It was the IOCL team. They were supposed to play against ASC (Army Service Corps). I could immediately recognize Prabhjot Singh, Inderjeet Chaddha, Bharat Chikkara, Baljit Singh, Deedara Singh, Raghunath, Vikram Kanth , physio Srikanth and the coach Devesh Chauhan.
It was a star packed team.
Seeing their built and personality, I felt so scared that I couldn't say a word. For a moment, I felt like they may tell me to get lost from the benches where I was sitting.
As they cracked jokes, I realized how warm at heart they were. One of them casually asked me, 'What the score was?'.
I said, '3-1, Fortis leads".
They dressed up and moved on for their warm up exercises but I was completely thrilled.
The national levels players didn't carry any attitude with them. I was at an arms distance from them.
They talked the way I do. They all were humans and as modest as I am, possibly. I fell in love with their personality.
Canara Bank lost to Fortis 1-4.
Later on, I met few more people whom I know by face in Hockey circles. There was an expression of indigestion on their faces that I have come to watch a Hockey match.
By this time, with IOCL in their armor were taking on ASC, the BPCL and Namdharis also arrived. At one moment, Tushar Khandekar crossed me and I was about to stop him attempting to talk to him for a minute but 1 second delay in uttering his name and he sprinted away. I was a little shy at that moment.
I talked to some children who had come down to support Namdharis'. They told that their parents work in Namdhari Seeds and they have come to support their team. It was a delight to talk to those children. I asked him with curiosity, " aap bhi Hockey khelte ho?" and came a prompt reply, 'haan ji, main under-16 ki state team mein hoon" (yes, I am in the under-16 state team).
I am surely loving the game by the day.
With a final round of Hockey talk with Shanmugham ji, I called it a day. His last line, although, not new to me, but definitely was for Mahesh, (who joined me during the game), took us by surprise. He said, "It's nice to see supporters, like you, come this far. Who comes to see a Hockey matches these days?"
I came home with a headache (because of heat) that lasted for close to 24 hours, but it was a day I enjoyed and will make sure that I will go to watch a few more matches.
I think I will sum up by this line: I am here to stay! :)
My mentor, Shanmugham ji, was playing for Canara Bank in the Super Division League Match against Fortis.
The game scheduled for 1300 hrs had already begun. I must say these guys were on schedule! The score was 0-0. Although, the view on the SAI turf's sidelines is not the best of ones but still I enjoyed watching the quick movement of the players sometimes on my side, sometimes on the other flank.
All this while, I couldn't believe that there was no spectator on this side of the turf. I was the lone one and when Canara Bank scored their first goal, I could hear the echo of my clapping!
It's understandable that SAI turf is a training turf and doesn't attract crowd in anyway. Some adminsitrative reasons didn't leave the organisers (KSHA) with any other option but to host the tournament at SAI, Kengeri.
As the game progressed, and so did the heat, I recognized Ajitesh, Sandeep Micheal and our own, Diwakar Ram, playing for the Fortis.
The most enjoyable sight of Hockey players is the fact that Hockey players are representatives of common public. They are so down to earth and modest that it makes you fall in love with the whole environment itself.
For me, on this day, watching Shanmugham ji, as a player, was different. I realized that an individual on the turf and outside the ground are completely different.
During the game, while defending a short corner (read it as, drag flick from Diwakar Ram) got the a ball on his chest. He collapsed for a minute. A stroke was awarded but Shanmugham ji was struggling to stand straight. I was concerned. But things settled for the better when he has substituted.
As the half time came in, I crossed over to the other side of the turf to just see what goes on at the players benches during this break. While walking, I was greeting by a known person who asked me, with sheer surprise and unbelieveable expression, "Here, to see Shanu play?". I just said, 'Yeah'.
Next question was, 'Do you live close by?". I said, "No!"
I wondered how come Hockey fraternity doesn't believe that there are some fans who just come to watch matches!
The scene at the players bench was a little low profile. A match at 1300 hours, with sun right on the top, it looked as if the players were not only sapped off of their physical energy but mental energy as well.
Khalid ji, the coach, was not his usual high as I have seen him in previous Canara Bank matches.
Checking with Shanu ji if he is OK, I moved on back to my original position to watch the second half.
As the Bankers trailed by 1-3, and 15m into the second half, I saw some players, with their kit on their shoulders, walk to benches where I was sitting. They were hulks and they were chit chatting about normal daily life Hockey related things. It was the IOCL team. They were supposed to play against ASC (Army Service Corps). I could immediately recognize Prabhjot Singh, Inderjeet Chaddha, Bharat Chikkara, Baljit Singh, Deedara Singh, Raghunath, Vikram Kanth , physio Srikanth and the coach Devesh Chauhan.
It was a star packed team.
Seeing their built and personality, I felt so scared that I couldn't say a word. For a moment, I felt like they may tell me to get lost from the benches where I was sitting.
As they cracked jokes, I realized how warm at heart they were. One of them casually asked me, 'What the score was?'.
I said, '3-1, Fortis leads".
They dressed up and moved on for their warm up exercises but I was completely thrilled.
The national levels players didn't carry any attitude with them. I was at an arms distance from them.
They talked the way I do. They all were humans and as modest as I am, possibly. I fell in love with their personality.
Canara Bank lost to Fortis 1-4.
Later on, I met few more people whom I know by face in Hockey circles. There was an expression of indigestion on their faces that I have come to watch a Hockey match.
By this time, with IOCL in their armor were taking on ASC, the BPCL and Namdharis also arrived. At one moment, Tushar Khandekar crossed me and I was about to stop him attempting to talk to him for a minute but 1 second delay in uttering his name and he sprinted away. I was a little shy at that moment.
I talked to some children who had come down to support Namdharis'. They told that their parents work in Namdhari Seeds and they have come to support their team. It was a delight to talk to those children. I asked him with curiosity, " aap bhi Hockey khelte ho?" and came a prompt reply, 'haan ji, main under-16 ki state team mein hoon" (yes, I am in the under-16 state team).
I am surely loving the game by the day.
With a final round of Hockey talk with Shanmugham ji, I called it a day. His last line, although, not new to me, but definitely was for Mahesh, (who joined me during the game), took us by surprise. He said, "It's nice to see supporters, like you, come this far. Who comes to see a Hockey matches these days?"
I came home with a headache (because of heat) that lasted for close to 24 hours, but it was a day I enjoyed and will make sure that I will go to watch a few more matches.
I think I will sum up by this line: I am here to stay! :)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Air India v Indian Oil...
Tournament: 8th All India Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup Tournament
Venue: Maharashtra Hockey Association, Mahindra Stadium
Match: Finals, Air India v Indian Oil.
On field noteable points: A treat to watch, reportedly. Trailing 0-3, Air India fought back to come to 4-4 in the 68th minute. With Pillays, Tirkeys,Baljits, Adrians, Chikaras, Shivendras, Raghunaths and both side mostly star packed, I am sure it must be entertaining. A controversial penalty corner awarded to Air India in the dying minutes sealed the fate for Indian Oil. They lost 4-5 to Air India.
It is said that the match had some poor umpiring decisions.
Off field notable points: Indian Oil Coach Devesh Chauhan didn't show up on the presentation ceremony citing heavy dissatisfaction on the umpiring.
My take: Bad umpiring, definitely, favours 1 team and doesn't the other one. If you are on the receiving end, on one fine day, does it overtake sportsman spirit?
Venue: Maharashtra Hockey Association, Mahindra Stadium
Match: Finals, Air India v Indian Oil.
On field noteable points: A treat to watch, reportedly. Trailing 0-3, Air India fought back to come to 4-4 in the 68th minute. With Pillays, Tirkeys,Baljits, Adrians, Chikaras, Shivendras, Raghunaths and both side mostly star packed, I am sure it must be entertaining. A controversial penalty corner awarded to Air India in the dying minutes sealed the fate for Indian Oil. They lost 4-5 to Air India.
It is said that the match had some poor umpiring decisions.
Off field notable points: Indian Oil Coach Devesh Chauhan didn't show up on the presentation ceremony citing heavy dissatisfaction on the umpiring.
My take: Bad umpiring, definitely, favours 1 team and doesn't the other one. If you are on the receiving end, on one fine day, does it overtake sportsman spirit?
Monday, September 22, 2008
Indian Hockey is bleeding...is there a doctor around?
There is a lot to compare Pakistan politics and Indian Hockey.
There, first an Army General throws out a powerful President and then suspends the Parliament to rule the country in a dictatorial manner. Then, some people gather to throw him out of power, in which eventually they succeed. This keeps going on and on... No one cares about the people, democracy or how the nation stands in the World.
And that is where it draws huge similarities with Indian Hockey. Pakistan is far behind rest of the World economically, politically and all other '..ally' and India is far behind everyone in Field Hockey.
One sacks second, second goes to court. Now, neither 1 nor 2 can work. 2's administration was autocratic. 1's is even pathetic. There are too many 1's in the fray. The story goes on and on.... None of them are really concerned about Hockey, country or the sport as such.
Even those who held the stick once for the country are still stuck with desires of more glory not to the game but to themselves. Apart from the adhoc committee members, one such biggest culprit is Sri. Dhanraj Pillay!
I sometimes feel that media doesn't speak about him but there is a time when we all have to accept that fact that a magician with stick may not be the greatest person in formal dress in a board room. It's high time we understand who is suited for what position.
The first thing that you expect from a player turned selector is he will not repeat the things that he kept crying for years when he was a player. But the biggest dissappointment in the adhoc committee is Dhanraj Pillay. Drop Tirkey, Thakur and Halappa and he may be getting some sadistic pleasure to see their 'come back promise' article in the newspaper.
1 person who could think beyond all such stalwarts is Viren Rasquinha. Peacefully gave up National level Hockey when politics beat his game, and is pursuing an MBA in one of the reputed institutes in Hyderabad. I wonder will he ever think of turning a Sports Adminstrator. His matured approach, technical brilliance clubbed with his managerial skills can create wonders in the admin section of the Bleeding sport.
Daily when I browse all the newspapers, I see Goa, Nagpur, Srinagar, Mumbai, Imphal, Shillong, Mysore, Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam, Trichi hosting Hockey Tournament in their capacity. Howeverwhen you sum up how much media coverage junk political developments get with regards to Hockey, it pains. Take a shot at this:
Tamil Nadu Hockey Association: 2 associations fighting as who is genuine.
Super Division League in Karnataka: Called off from Coorg because of red-tapism. Being hosted in SAI, Kengeri, Bangalore. Believe me, there is not even a bench there for a spectator.
Kaushik goes back to IWHF and Harender Singh may be the new coach: Kaushik saheb, in all his years with Haryana Sports Dept. didn't know about the procedures and believed the adhoc committee ppl. Made a fool of himself.
Gill calls IOA a fake organization: Oh, dear o dear! It's as fake as your IHF was. You both specialize in mastering the democratic system to remain in power for years uncountable.
Tripartite contest for who will be in power: Gill, is on one side. Second, is the Sahara tycoon. Third, is Kalmadi and company.
These news rule Hockey's media reputation. Come to me and ask me for a penny in the name of Hockey. Guess what will I give?
Then they cry that media is Cricket obsessed and corporates don't sponser anyone but Cricket. I feel they deserve what they are getting.Is anyone observing: Football people have taken massive 'professional' steps. Indian Football is slowly on it's way to make a mark in World Football. Last night NDTV was interviewing Bhutia and Chhetri. It's a perfect symbolic gesture that the sport is catching up.
Our country is craving for an alternate team Sport and Football ppl are progressing in leaps and bounds. They have a foriegn coach as well.Football is ready to cash upon what Hockey has more or less lost and is desperately trying to loose the rest.
Sadly, time and again, I am reminded of what Charlesworth said when he left ...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
To MK Kaushik- Indian Hockey Team Coach
Dear Kaushik Saheb,
It's nice to see that you have been appointed the chief of the national team. No hesitation in expressing the fact that I wanted to see Ric Charlesworth in this hot seat but Ric's departure is history now.
You and Ric have teamed up well in your Women’s Hockey assignment.You have been a person who has been very open to making use of Ric Charlesworth’s expertise.
By the same token, I hope you remember, according to him, the mistakes that we have been committing.I quote a few related to Hockey, on field, per say:
1) Indian hockey cannot run on anecdotes, there has to be some reality.
2) The first thing they should do is to accept their mistakes and not make excuses and then go about rectifying the grey areas.
3) India may do well in a one-off tournament in 2009. Everyone will feel happy for a while. But sustainable results? No, that’s not going to happen.
4) All the support staff of the team needs to have a proper contract.
You have agreed, in principle, to be the coach till Commonwealth Games 2010. I wonder if you genuinely felt the need for a contract.
I know that may not be much in your control. However, I am moved by one of your statements by you yesterday.
Going back in time, I have read each and every page of your book 'The Golden Boot'.
I am 100% sure that you will be aware where you went wrong in the whole episode.
1) You attempted to take up a role that wasn't given to you - Selector.
2) You attempted to take up political issues of players with the Federation; a Federation that had already turned hostile to you.
Whereas, it is entirely understandable that a coach cannot work if certain players who fall in scheme of things are not taken in the team, but the fact remains until and unless a Coach is in the Selection Committee there is very little he can do in this arena.
Now, after your appointment, you say "if the Tirkeys or Thakur perform well, they can make it to the team."
Here are my questions to you:
1) On what basis, are you guaranteeing them a place if they perform well? Are you in the Selection Committee? Who will judge, after all, whether they are perform well or not? You, Selection Committee or the media?
2) Is it in your defined role to comment on who or who cannot make it to the team?
3) Couldn't your answer, to the 48 probable related question, have been: you are not a Selection Committee member?
My polite word of caution is what the Great India Epic, Geeta, says: Concentrate on the work that has been given to you.
Easier said than done; I agree.
However if you are successful, you can set a precedent to the next generation of coaches to maintain professionalism at work.
To sum it, I have faith in your capabilities as a Chief Coach and I watch keenly as to how the Indian team shapes up from where it is now.
Last but not the least; I quote a line from your book: "I am only for the game of hockey, not for politics".
It's nice to see that you have been appointed the chief of the national team. No hesitation in expressing the fact that I wanted to see Ric Charlesworth in this hot seat but Ric's departure is history now.
You and Ric have teamed up well in your Women’s Hockey assignment.You have been a person who has been very open to making use of Ric Charlesworth’s expertise.
By the same token, I hope you remember, according to him, the mistakes that we have been committing.I quote a few related to Hockey, on field, per say:
1) Indian hockey cannot run on anecdotes, there has to be some reality.
2) The first thing they should do is to accept their mistakes and not make excuses and then go about rectifying the grey areas.
3) India may do well in a one-off tournament in 2009. Everyone will feel happy for a while. But sustainable results? No, that’s not going to happen.
4) All the support staff of the team needs to have a proper contract.
You have agreed, in principle, to be the coach till Commonwealth Games 2010. I wonder if you genuinely felt the need for a contract.
I know that may not be much in your control. However, I am moved by one of your statements by you yesterday.
Going back in time, I have read each and every page of your book 'The Golden Boot'.
I am 100% sure that you will be aware where you went wrong in the whole episode.
1) You attempted to take up a role that wasn't given to you - Selector.
2) You attempted to take up political issues of players with the Federation; a Federation that had already turned hostile to you.
Whereas, it is entirely understandable that a coach cannot work if certain players who fall in scheme of things are not taken in the team, but the fact remains until and unless a Coach is in the Selection Committee there is very little he can do in this arena.
Now, after your appointment, you say "if the Tirkeys or Thakur perform well, they can make it to the team."
Here are my questions to you:
1) On what basis, are you guaranteeing them a place if they perform well? Are you in the Selection Committee? Who will judge, after all, whether they are perform well or not? You, Selection Committee or the media?
2) Is it in your defined role to comment on who or who cannot make it to the team?
3) Couldn't your answer, to the 48 probable related question, have been: you are not a Selection Committee member?
My polite word of caution is what the Great India Epic, Geeta, says: Concentrate on the work that has been given to you.
Easier said than done; I agree.
However if you are successful, you can set a precedent to the next generation of coaches to maintain professionalism at work.
To sum it, I have faith in your capabilities as a Chief Coach and I watch keenly as to how the Indian team shapes up from where it is now.
Last but not the least; I quote a line from your book: "I am only for the game of hockey, not for politics".
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