Triumph of the spirit
By Ravi Dhaliwal
Sport is not sustained by a single moment, or those few seconds of winning and losing. It is all about understanding the personal battles sportsmen undertake. The sweat and several years of hard-work people like McLean put in to fulfil their ambitions. It is also about the ability to sustain such a drive not only amidst hardship, but also amidst the grim reality that you will not always win.

by K. R. Wadhwaney

A rich man’s leisure game
By Varun Soni
WITH over 20 bowling alleys having opened in India during the past one year, the typical American sport has now become a leisure game for the rich with the time and inclination for recreation.

Sahara Cup highlights
By S. Pervez Qaiser

IOA overreacted on cricket issue
By Ramu Sharma

ONE would have thought that the rather unsavoury preamble to the Indian preparation for the Commonwealth Games, particularly in relation to the selection of the cricket team, would be forgotten once the Games were over. Unfortunately, as it appears, it has opened up new avenues of debate, as unpleasant in nature with recrimination rather than the satisfaction of having getting it over with, the main theme. And it all hinges, now on the non-performance of the cricket team.

It is ironical though that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) with so much responsibility and authority should direct all its ire on the one game over which it has no control. And that too because cricket failed to deliver the goods as it were. The apex body had placed all its hopes on the cricketers getting a gold medal. How and on what premise it had worked out this formulae is anybody’s guess? But with the cricketer “guests” failing to achieve what was demanded, the IOA has overreacted, in fact gone berserk.

In the history of Indian sport this is the worst example of a bunch of sane and sensible people going off at a tangent only because a medal was lost, not for any other reasons than that the sportsmen involved allegedly did not perform to their known ability. This is an understatement if one has to go by the innuendoes directed against the poor cricketers. Some of them statements made by responsible people is very difficult to digest. It is simply not done.

People attributing motives to the cricketers obviously are ignorant of the game or the spirit in which it is played. By accusing the Indian team of non-performance, they are in fact accusing the players of deliberately playing badly, or not being focussed intentionally. It is neither fair to the boys nor to the Australian and South African teams who went on to play the final.

Obviously the reference is to the superstars, Sachin Tendulkar in particular. The simple truth is that Sachin did not score. But where is it written what he has to score every time he goes in to bat? He is being penalised because of his reputation. That is not fair.

The IOA officials and other responsible agencies should be aware that Indian cricketers, Sachin included, have been away from the game for quite some time and had congregated in Chennai, only to regain their touch, and to work on their fitness. Sachin in fact missed part of that get-together because of having to make the trip to Australia to meet Sir Donald Bradman.

The reaction of some of the people in high posts is shocking. And one of them relating to the theme that the senior players “didn’t play up to the mark and were seen more anxious to get away from Kuala Lumpur and head for Toronto” is a conjuncture based on the debate before the contingent headed for Kuala Lumpur. That this criticism was reportedly voiced by no less a person that the Chief Election Commissioner is all the more regrettable.

It is the duty of the Board of Control for Cricket in India to give a fitting reply to the criticism levelled against the players and while on this subject it would better if someone other than Secretary Jayawant Lele does the talking. Lele unfortunately appears to make a mess of the simplest things.

The board is directly responsible for the feeling of disappointment generated by the failure of the boys. If only it had taken a more conciliatory stand against the IOA matters would not have come to a head like this. And it should have stuck to its initial stand of sending an ‘A’ team instead of weakening the combinations both at Kuala Lumpur and Toronto.

A team of young hopefuls mixed with some experienced players on the fringes of making it to the national team would have been an ideal combination for Kuala Lumpur. Such a mixture after a camp to instil team spirit would have been much better than the haphazard mix of a superstar, and a few hopefuls, which just could not combine as a team.

The boys had simply never worked together. In fact, thanks to the insistence of the IOA, the cricket team sent to Kuala Lumpur was of individuals and not a combination. No wonder the performance was not up to mark. An ‘A’ team on the other hand would have had the necessary incentive and the motivation to prove itself.

The IOA’s reaction was but expected. What was not expected was the apex body’s preoccupation with cricket. The stress has been on the gold medal not won by the cricket team than on the laudable performances of the badminton stars, weightlifters, shooters, boxer Jitender Singh and even the unfortunate hockey team. The IOA’s concern for cricket is indeed very strange. Or maybe quite natural if one looks at the general craze for cricket and cricketers in the whole country. A gold medal by cricketers would have perhaps compensated for the general disappointment elsewhere.

Both the IOA and the BCCI should now forget about differences which had crept on the issue of the cricket team to Kuala Lumpur and come to some decision about the next edition of the Commonwealth Games at an early date. The BCCI should make up its mind whether it wants to send a team (full strength or otherwise) and advice the IOA accordingly. The IOA should, in turn, decide whether it wants a repetition of what transpired at Kuala Lumpur or accept the decision of the board in good faith. Hopefully in four years time there will be officials who may approach the subject with a more open mind.

Frankly, cricket as a game just does not fit into any multi-discipline extravaganza. The ambience is just not right for this time consuming game. Cricket’s inclusion means that the other games are pushed into the background by the media. That is not something desirable.

The inclusion of cricket, hockey and other teams games in fact are an extra burden on the organisers. Commonwealth Games should revert to the old system where the stress was on individual performances.

Triumph of the spirit
By Ravi Dhaliwal

THE world of sport is addicted to the hyperbole. Many a time ordinary mortals having ordinary sporting gifts are called great. Sometimes a good sportsman is labelled a genius. As such the essence of genius is itself devalued, setting of an alarming trend where effort gets confused with genius.

Genius are those sportsmen who have the ability to turn sand into silver, to turn the mundane into the breathtaking.

But those who capture the essence of being truly “great” are people like the Australian swimmer John McLean — whose triumph of character has redefined the possible and the impossible. McLean, 36, a paraplegic, lost his legs in an accident, yet had the guts to swim across the 34 km-long English Channel. McLean, who swum continuously for a mind boggling 12 hours, is the first wheelchair sportsman to have performed this feat.

Sport is not sustained by a single moment, or those few seconds of winning and losing. It is all about understanding the personal battles sportsmen undertake. The sweat and several years of hard-work people like McLean put in to fulfil their ambitions. It is also about the ability to sustain such a drive not only amidst hardship, but also amidst the grim reality that you will not always win. In this context, McLean’s effort assumes all the more significance for he had failed to cross the channel in his first attempt. Yet he never lost heart and made it in his second attempt thus giving a ray of hope to thousands of disabled persons, whose role model he has become.

Sport is also a reflection of society at a given point of time. Over the past few decades society has been a witness to war and political tangos, greed and nationalism and also athletes with hyper inflated egos. Despite all this, the concept of brotherhood in sport is not extinct. It is reflected in the character of sportsmen like triple jumper John Edwards.

Having already broken the world record in the last world athletic championships, Edwards abstained from the last and final jump so that his rival Brain Wellman, who had already fouled twice and was on the verge of disqualification, would not get distracted. Wellman jumped to a silver. Edwards, in that very blitz of battle had done something contrary; for he was trying to improve upon his world record. Yet, at that moment, Edwards had climbed his own Everest, thus capturing the true spirit of sportsmanship. A sportsman at his best, Edwards was.

Thomas Alva Edisson had said that genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. But in sport the inspirational content has to be much more. For, a moment’s inspiration in a sportsman’s career spanning several decades can earn him a brush with immortality. But for someone to be called a genius in his adopted sport, the inspiration has to come forth more often. Niether McLean nor Edwards can be termed genius. Yet both in their own ways, have added an entire new dimension to the world of sport. In sport some win, some lose, yet sport sustains itself on the feats and deeds of sportsmen like them.

And what does the feat of Tanzanian marathon runner John Stephen Akhwari reflect? In the 1996 Boston marathon, Akhwari, with blisters on his feet and left leg bandaged, limped into the stadium an hour after the winner, with his spirit intact. Said Akhwari after the race, “My country did not send me to start the race. They sent me to finish it’’. Again a sportsman at his best.

Despite all those anabolic steroids, beta-blockers, superathletes and superegos, through sport we are rewarded with character. It is through some disabled men, some bandaged ones, some who never win, that we are reminded of what it means to be a true sportsman. Yes, sport is an awesome pursuit, a complete obsession.

by K. R. Wadhwaney
Golf courses spruced up

GOKARNA Forest Golf Resort lies on the fringe of Kathmandu. The resort, beautiful in every aspect, is only 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. The 18-hole par 72 course is situated amidst thickly forested hill, inhabited by deer, pheasants and peacocks. Those, who have had an opportunity to play a round there, have simply fallen in love with the course.

Designed by Gleneagles Golf Developments, the course sprawls over 140 acres. It is no ordinary course. It is a course where one can breathe golf. It is a course where one can bask in the warm afterglow of a good round of golf. Golf is indeed a game in which one is pitted against one-self. But here one’s skills are also pitted against nature which is so captivating. Not for nothing those who have played here emphasis that it is a personal pilgrimage to play a round of golf on the course.

Established in 1991, Gleaneagles, (Scotland) combines 100 years of experience and skill in all aspects of golf courses and business. David McLay, Director of Golf Design, has been with the establishment since it was founded. He is recognised as one of the most talented designers. Ian Ferrier, Managing Director, is the ‘brain’ behind the formation of Gleaneagles Golf Developments.

This 18-hole course recreates the gentle slopes of Scotland. The undulating land and challenging water bodies create one of the most stimulating games of golf.

What is most remarkable about the course is availability of professional coaches to provide much-needed tips to the amateurs, who have combined golf with sight-seeing. In addition to the course, there are other sports facilities on hand.

Almost all the courses in the capital and around have been ‘dressed’ for the season that is about to unfold. The Aravali course at Faridabad has undergone a see-change and it will host a major pro tournament next month. It is now a ‘hub’ of golf and golfers. Many foreigners, including diplomats, make use of it.

The Noida course has also been done up with fairway and greens showing marked improvement. It is extensively utilised by all sections of people. Similarly, the Army Golf Course (Daula Kuan) is all set for major pro tournaments. The Air Force course, which was once an active centre for services cricket, has been improved. Here many Ministers and members of Parliament (MPs) are seen playing a round of golf with an intensity as one can imagine.

Ghei finds form
Gaurav Ghei, one of the most serious-minded professional golfers in the country, found his touch and poise as he won the Hindu Open at Chennai recently. His putting was as consistent as his tee-shots were steady. What was most remarkable about his play was that he was able to emerge out of the difficult situation to earn a good round of applaud from a section of knowledgeable spectators.

Ghei, who qualified for the British Open two years ago and won inaugural Mahindra award in 1996-97, was not in his elements last season. He was often wayward on the course. It surprised him as many as his admirers who had been following his golfing career.

Unconcerned about his ‘not so impressive performance last season’, Ghei has begun well this season. He should be in the news on the domestic circuit as on the Asian PGA. He is a player who is destined to go high.

Ghei now leads the Mahindra rankings this season. He has taken over from his colleague Arjun Singh. He stands on 48.50 points with collection of Rs 2.38 lakh after three tournaments on the Rs 2-crore 22-event PGA India tour. He is followed by Arjun Singh (43 points).

A rich man’s leisure game
By Varun Soni

WITH over 20 bowling alleys having opened in India during the past one year, the typical American sport has now become a leisure game for the rich with the time and inclination for recreation.

Delhi — which had its first bowling alley in 1995 — now boasts of 12 such clubs — the largest in the country, confirming the increasing popularity of the game in India.

“It is the market potential and increasing spending power of urban Indians that prompted us to target India,” says Patrick Ryu, Director (South Asia), Dacos Bowling division, bowling equipment supplier to India’s largest bowling alley, “Fun and Fair”.

“There is also a genuine lack of recreation in India. There is no one place where families can feel comfortable and enjoy their time,” says Amandeep Singh, Executive Director, “Little Paradise” bowling alley.

But the high fees a customer is required to dish out does act as a deterrent for many who do not have very deep pockets to afford membership of such alleys.

“With the starting fees per game at Rs 100 on weekdays and Rs 125 on weekends, bowling is an expensive game but then we are targeting mainly the upper section of the society,” Amandeep Singh says.

“Bowling has always been a rich man’s game due to the price of equipment and other paraphernalia along with the ambience of the club,” says Amandeep Singh.

According to Ryu, this is also due to the fact that bowling alleys are not just restricted to the game itself but also offer other recreational facilities like pool table, go-karting, video games and even ice skating.

“We not only offer bowling but other entertainment too. As time goes by and when people come to understand the game, they will themselves realise that the money charged is minimal,” says Narinder Anand, Managing Director of “Fun and Fair”.

“I don’t mind spending Rs 300 to Rs 400 for this kind of entertainment as long as the whole family enjoys,” says Naveen Malik who frequents bowling alleys with his family on weekends.

Another attraction that most of these clubs offer is the concept of “planet bowling” which enables the customer to play with the help of fluorescent balls and sticks when the lights are turned out.

The mechanical bowling system withstands the sharp fluctuation and dismal power availability situation in India, says Ryu but still a lot more needs to be done to make bowling a popular sport in India.

“Being conservative and a little apprehensive of adopting anything new, it does sometimes become difficult for Indians to take to such games, which had hitherto been restricted to the West,” says Alekh Vardhan of Dacos.

“But I am sure that once they get to know the game, its popularity will automatically spread.”

The bowling alleys, on their part, have now decided to hold competitions and tournaments in an effort to increase the scope of the game among the masses.

“We are organising a coaching camp to promote the game for school children in the neighbourhood and they will be able to play at cheaper rates as well,” says Amandeep Singh.

“We held an inter-school tournament and another one for all categories. The response that we received was tremendous,” says Beenu Anand of “Fun and Fair”.

But we agrees that the majority of their clients do not know how to play bowling and so “we have a coach who explains (to them) all the nuances of the game”.

Even as Beenu claims that on weekends a client normally has to wait for three hours for his turn to come, Malik says “bowling is still looked upon only as a leisure game for the rich and not a sport of the masses”.

“It is important that the authorities provide land to us for opening such clubs at cheaper rates,” says Amandeep Singh.

The government also needs to give incentives like reducing the entertainment tax, says Anand citing this as another reason for the high fees.

“Not only that, but the expensive equipment and the environment that we have to create also costs a lot, forcing us to hike the fees, resulting in a decrease in profit for alley owners. Since the opening of our alley six months back, we are yet to make profits,” Anand says.

“We invested around Rs 2 crore in the project but have not been able to meet our own expectations,” he says, however, expressing hope that as the popularity of the game increases, the profits too will start pouring in.

“I am quite sure that with government support and public interest, we would be successful in popularising the game. In future we may also be able to hold inter-state bowling championships in India as well,” says Ryu.

Amandeep Singh also is not much worried about profits at the moment as a bowling alley is a long-term project.

“We plan to open more such alleys in other parts of the country and increase our market share to 50 per cent,” says Vardhan.

“This can only be possible with more public awareness about the game and government support,” says Amandeep Singh. — PTI

Sahara Cup highlights
By S. Pervez Qaiser

• Pakistan defeated India by five wickets in the fifth and final match to win the Sahara Cup 4-1. India, who recorded an emphatic six-wicket victory in the first match, lost the second match by 51 runs, the third by 77 runs and the fourth by 134 runs. It was Pakistan’s second Sahara Cup victory in Canada. They won the first Sahara Cup by 3-2 in 1996 while India achieved a 4-1 victory last year.
• Pakistan have now played 407 one-day internationals, won 208, lost 184 while 15 were abandoned. This includes five tied matches. Their playing record against India is played 71 matches, won 42, lost 25 and abandoned four matches. Of 42 wins recorded by Pakistan against India, 15 came in Sharjah, 10 in Pakistan, eight in Canada, seven in India and one each in Bangladesh and Singapore.
• India have now played 372 one-day internationals, won 165, lost 188 while 19 were abandoned. This includes two tied matches. Of 25 wins recorded by India against Pakistan in one dayers, seven came in Canada, four each in India, Sharjah and Bangladesh and three each in Pakistan and Australia.
• Salim Malik became the second Pakistani after Javed Miandad and the sixth batsman in one-day internationals to aggregate 7000 runs. He achieved this feet during his 39-run knock in the fourth one-dayer. It was his 246th innings of his 272 one-day international match. The other batsmen to achieve this distinction are West Indian Desmond Haynes (8648 runs in 238 matches), India’s Mohammed Azharuddin (8480 runs in 296 matches), Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva (7603 runs in 238 matches), Pakistan’s Javed Miandad (7381 runs in 233 matches) and India’s Sachin Tendulkar (7146 runs in 197 matches).
• Shahid Afridi became the first batsman to score a century in the Sahara Cup. He achieved this feet when he scored 109 in the fourth match. Saurav Ganguly’s 96 last year was the previous highest score in the Sahara Cup. Izaz Ahmad held the previous record of highest individual score for Pakistan in this series. He made 90 in the first Sahara Cup in 1996. Afridi’s century was Pakistan’s 16th against India.
• Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin became the first Indian to score a century in the Sahara Cup. He achieved this feet when he made 101 in the fifth and final match. Azhar’s century was India’s 10th against Pakistan in one-day international.
• Pakistan recorded the highest-ever total in the Sahara Cup when they scored 316 for six in 50 overs it the fourth match. Pakistan’s 266 for eight in 50 overs in the first Sahara Cup in 1996 was the previous highest in this series. It was Pakistan’s second highest total against India in one-dayers after 327 for five in 50 overs at Chennai in the Independence Cup in 1997.
• Pakistan’s 134-run victory in the fourth match was their biggest against India in terms of runs. It was the ninth instance when Pakistan won a match by more than 100 runs. Pakistan’s previous biggest victory against India in terms of runs was 96 runs which they achieved twice, at Sharjah in 1994-95 and at Toronto in 1996.
• Saeed Anwar became the first Pakistani player to score 1500 runs against India in one-dayers. He achieved this feat during his 83-run knock in the fifth and final match. It was the 35th innings of his 37th match against India.
• Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin became the first India to score 1500 runs against Pakistan. He achieved this feat during his 101-run knock in the fifth and final match. It was the 52nd innings of his 57th match against Pakistan.
• Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad added 40 runs for the 10th wicket in the third match which is a new record for India against Pakistan for this wicket position. Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad held the previous record for this position against Pakistan. They added 31 runs for the 10th wicket in the first Sahara Cup in 1996.