Chandigarh, Saturday, October23, 1999

Golf pros playing superbly

By K. R. Wadhwaney
THE constitution and by-law of the Delhi Golf Club (DGC), unquestionably the best run sports body in the capital, in its revised articles on August 22, 1988, among other things, say that all the members of the committee elected at the annual meeting of the club will retire at the annual meeting of the following year when the new committee will be elected.

Vinoo Mankad a great all-rounder
By Anil Gulati
THERE are few people who make their lives worthy of remembrance in every era. Such individuals leave a permanent imprint on the history of their respective fields.

Sport industry must modernise
By S.C. Dhall
It has been noticed that there has been a shift in focus from the traditional and low-value items towards modern, value added and technology based items that have increasing demand in the global market for sports goods.

Sport Mail

Rare honour for Punjab judoka
By Amardeep Bhattal

Among the 30 proud recipients of the Arjuna Award last month was the 30-year-old Olympian Narender Singh from the PAP Lines, Jalandhar, who was the only judoka to be selected for the prestigious award this year. While receiving the award from the President, Mr K.R. Narayanan, at the glittering Ashoka Hall in Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 1, Narender was overwhelmed with a sense of emotion. Years of toil had at long last been accorded recognition at the highest level in the country.

Born on May 23, 1969, Narender Singh’s journey in pursuit of excellence commenced way back in 1985 when he represented his state in the National Games at New Delhi.His debut at the national level was indeed impressive as he romped home with the gold in his maiden appearance. And thereafter there has been no looking back. In 1987 he again clinched a gold medal in the national championship in New Delhi and went on to repeat his performance at the Indore nationals two years later.

Till 1997 he reigned supreme in the senior national championship winning the gold continuously barring 1996.After the Indore meet,he came up with breathtaking performances at Ghaziabad, Hisar, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Patiala, Guwahati and Vishakhapatnam.

Narender made his debut in the international arena at the SAF Games in New Delhi in 1989 where he won a gold.Three years later he again clinched a gold in the South Asian Judo Championship in Delhi.

In 1993, Narender represented India in the SAF Games in Bangladesh where he again clinched a gold.Earlier,at a still higher level,Narender took part in the Commonwealth Games in New Zealand in 1990 where he won a bronze medal in a tough contest.

The promising judoka also represented India in the Asian Games held at Beijing in 1990 where he finished fifth and at Hiroshima four years later where he was again unlucky.

Besides the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, Narender also represented India in the Olympics at Barcelona in 1992 and at Atlanta in 1996, where despite a good showing, he failed to finish among the medal winners.

Other noteworthy achievements of the promising judoka include a bronze in the sixth Commonwealth Championship at Mauritius in 1996, a gold in the same meet at Scotland two years later and a bronze in the Asian Championship at New Delhi in 1995.

Besides the above-mentioned championships, Narender also participated in Asian Championships at Macau and Osaka, the World Championship at Hamilton in 1993, the Indonesian Championship in 1997 where he won a gold, the Kazakistan Open Invitational Tournament in 1994 and 1996,the Dutch Open in Holland and the Belarus Open in 1994.

Narender, who promises much more in the years to come,holds a black belt 3rd DAN,IJF.

Golf pros playing superbly

By K. R. Wadhwaney

THE constitution and by-law of the Delhi Golf Club (DGC), unquestionably the best run sports body in the capital, in its revised articles on August 22, 1988, among other things, say that all the members of the committee elected at the annual meeting of the club will retire at the annual meeting of the following year when the new committee will be elected.

The clause(s) further says that a member of the committee will be eligible for re-election for the maximum period of two years. It further states that any member seeking to return on committee for another year will have to have a gap of at least two years before he is eligible to serve on the committee.

Now, there is a sharp difference of opinion among members, including senior office-bearers of the club. Some are of the view that the clause applies to even those members who are seeking election for the office of the president. The other school of thought-equally vehement — is that it does not apply to those who are seeking election for the post of the president.

Amidst this vex situation, three members, including former captain, have sought opinion of the court. The decision is expected to be known on November 1 while the elections are scheduled for the third week of November.

The court decision will be binding as to who are eligible to seek election for the post of the president. As of now, there are at least four candidates for the of the office of the president. Among them are two who belong to one powerful faction. If the court clears them, then there will be a bitter contest between them. If the court rules against them, then there may be another influential candidate in fray for the post of the office.

The two-year term of Some Dutt ends in November. He, with the help of other office-bearers, has conducted the affairs of the club superbly with many additional facilities created. Among them have been a health club and a ‘mini bar’ over looking the 18th hole. Both health club and bar on popular additions, which have provided further glamour and lustre to the club.

The course has been in an ideal condition. It will be closed for about 10 days for members from October 22 for the prestigious Hero Honda competition to be held from October 20. Many renowned exponents, foreign and Indian, will be seen in action. Among them will be Jeev Milkha Singh, who has been going from strength to strength. He will do his best to display his prowess in winning this title, which has been eluding him. Pawan Munjal, sponsor the competition, wears an open mind. But he will be doubly happy if Jeev wins it. Apart from being an Indian, he is sponsored by Munjals, who have done a great deal in promoting golf and many other disciplines in the country.

There is a possibility of some major changes in the Professional Golfers Association of India (PGAI). The achievements of the PGAI have been sizeable but much more can be done for the pros who have been playing superbly of late. What they need is adequate exposure abroad. There are quite a few caddy-turned-pros. They need proper guidance and motivation. They have the technique, skill and ability. But they run into many other problems when they play abroad. What PGAI can do is to help them with a golf-manager who may be able to sort out their off-the-course problems. In golf, like in cricket, there are many difficult situations off the course.

The season has unfolded in a big way with Indian pros doing well in this country and abroad. Maybe, they will be able to bring more laurels through golf than other disciplines.

Vinoo Mankad a great all-rounder
By Anil Gulati

THERE are few people who make their lives worthy of remembrance in every era. Such individuals leave a permanent imprint on the history of their respective fields. Mulvantrai Himmatlal Mankad, affectionately known by his schoolboy nickname ‘Vinoo’, belonged to the same category. He enjoyed the acclaim of being India’s leading all-rounder. He gave a new dimension to the Indian cricket during fifth decade of this century. A complete utility cricketer, who could open the innings or bat down the order as demanded by the situation, was a real asset to the Indian team during his playing days. He also perplexed many a Test batsman in the years after World War II with his slow left-hand leg break bowling.

His first class career started in 1935 when he was 18. He made a great impression when Lord Tennyson’s team toured India in 1937-38. He topped the batting and bowling averages in the unofficial Tests with 62.66 and 14.53, respectively. However, the years of war lengthened his wait for donning national colours till 1946. That year when cricket returned to England after a gap of seven seasons, he produced a double on a tour of England by scoring 1120 runs and taking 129 wickets. He made his Test debut at the Mecca of Cricket — Lord’s in 1946. Launching of his Test career coincided with the Test debut of another half a dozen Indian cricketers like Gul Mohammad, A.H. Kardar (who also played for Pakistan), V.S. Hazare, R.S. Modi and G.S. Shinde). Incidentally, Ifthikhar Ali Khan Pataudi was also chosen to play for India in this Test after representing England earlier. Vinoo Mankad contributed just 14 runs in the first innings and went on to score a half century (63) in the second innings. In the next Test at Manchester, he failed with the bat but clicked with the ball to capture five wickets for 101 runs in the first innings and 45 for two in the second.

In 1947-48 when the Indian team visited Australia, Vinoo’s all-round skills came into sharp focus. He made 889 and claimed 61 wickets on the tour. In the third Test in Melbourne, Mankad became the first Indian to score a Test century against Australia. Opening the innings with Chandu Sarvate, he hit 116 off an attack that included bowlers of the calibre of Lindwall, Miller, Johnston and Johnson. He also dismissed four batsmen in the first innings. Again in the fifth Test at the same venue Mankad scored yet another century (111).

Barring these performances, Vinoo is best remembered for his heroic deeds at the Lord’s in 1952 series against England. He scored 72 and 184 besides capturing five wickets in an innings. He was associated in a partnership of 211 runs with Vijay Hazare for the third wicket. In the second innings, he went straight to the wicket after bowling 31 overs that day. In the whole match he bowled 97 overs and took five for 231. England won by eight wickets but Mankad’s performance must surely rank as the greatest ever in a Test by a member of the losing side. Who can forget his 231 in Madras Test against New Zealand in 1955-58? Mankad put on a record 413 runs partnership with Pankaj Roy for the first wicket in Test cricket. The opening pair went on to bat without being separated on the full length of opening day of the Test.

Against England at home in 1951-52 he claimed 34 Test wickets. His best Test performance coincided with India’s first-ever victory in Test cricket. At Chepauk, he took eight wickets for 52 runs in the first innings and five wickets for 79 as India registered their maiden triumph in the history of Test cricket after waiting for almost 20 years and in their 25th Test match. Vinoo also captained India in Pakistan in 1954-55.

In his first-class career, which ended in 1962, Mankad scored 11480 runs with an average of 34.78 and took 774 wickets at 24.60. In the 72 innings of his 44 Tests, he scored 2109 runs, including five centuries and six half-centuries, at an average of 31.47. He also captured 162 wickets at an average of 32.31. He performed the feat of dismissing five batsmen in an innings on eight occasions. On domestic front Vinoo Mankad took 180 wickets in Ranji Trophy and scored 3135 runs to complete the double.

In batting, Mankad was both solid and adventurous, adjusting himself to the demands of situations. The late cut and cover drive executed by him brought him most of the runs. He had great concentration and a strong defence. As a bowler, he was slow left hander of the old fashioned orthodox type varying his natural leg break. His deeds were acknowledged by the connoisseurs of the game all over the world. The Bible of Cricket — Wiseden-picked him among the five best cricketers of 1947.

On August 21, 1978, at the age of 61 Vinoo died in Bombay leaving behind the memories of his heroic deeds which would continue to inspire the younger generation in the years to come.

Sport industry must modernise
By S.C. Dhall

It has been noticed that there has been a shift in focus from the traditional and low-value items towards modern, value added and technology based items that have increasing demand in the global market for sports goods.

Equipment used in golf, skiing, winter sports, water sports, fitness/gymnasium, tennis, skating, mountain climbing and pool tables are some of the items that have high growth potential in the global market. The changing tastes of the consumers and the technological development call for urgent change in the mindset of Indian exports.

The total Indian domestic market for various sports goods items is estimated to be around Rs 170 crore of which cricket related equipment alone accounts for 70 per cent of the total market.

The sports goods industry in India is largely concentrated in the cottage and small-scale sector, which does not have enough resources for technology upgradation or for effectively marketing their products. Geographically, the industry is mainly concentrated around Jalandhar and Meerut which together claim 75 per cent to 80 per cent of the total domestic production with more than 3,000 manufacturing units, including around 120 exporters.

Indian exports have almost doubled from Rs 109 crore in 1993-94 to Rs 204 crore in 1998 with the compounded growth rate of about 11 per cent per annum. India is one of the largest exporters of inflatable balls, cricket bats, hockey sticks and protective equipment (for hockey and cricket).

The largest component of export is inflatable balls, which accounts for 50.6 per cent of the total exports of sports goods followed by cricket bats ( 8.4 per cent) and gymnasium equipment (7.3 per cent). The major destinations of Indian exports are the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and France. India also imports sports goods, particularly gymnasium and athletic equipment. Imports were about Rs 30 crore in 1998.

In 1997, the total exports of sports goods in the world were estimated to be around $ 9 billion with a growth rate of 7 per cent per annum. The total global market for those sports equipment in which India has some presence was estimated to be around $ 430 million in 1998 of which India with an export of around $ 55 million had a share of around 13 per cent. But this would be less than 1 per cent if all types of sports equipment were to be considered.

The total market for sports goods in the USA was $ 10.7 billion in 1997 of which imports accounted for $ 3.6 billion, while exports were at $ 2.5 billion. The major portion of imports into the USA comes from the developing countries. China and Taiwan are the largest suppliers of sports goods in the US market. The major sports goods in the USA are exercise and gymnastic-equipment, golf-equipment, ski, water sports and bowling equipment. The largest markets for sports goods in the European Union are France, Germany, and the UK. These three markets account for more than 60 per cent of the total European Union imports of sporting goods.

It has been pointed out that Indian sports goods manufacturers should come out of the traditional mindset and tune themselves into the changing market tastes and preferences in terms of sports goods. More attention needs to be paid to promoting Indian goods in the major world markets like the USA, Germany and Japan.

The use of better technology and cost effective production techniques would help cut manufacturing costs and reduce wastage, resulting in production of items at more competitive cost. For this, the industry would need to invest in more sophisticated machinery and technology, gain access to the production methods used by the advanced nations and also obtain international product/process quality certification like ISO 9000 and CE and GS marketing.

Sport Mail

Jayasuriya changes Lanka’s fortunes

THE Sri Lankan cricketers should derive satisfaction by winning the Test series 1-0 against the unofficial champions of Test cricket, Australia. Although the series was marred by rain still I feel the better side won. The appointment of Sanath Jayasuriya as the Sri Lankan captain has brought about a sudden change in fortunes for the Sri Lankan team. Prior to it they also won the triangular one day series involving India and Australia. Under Ranatunga’s captaincy they had started losing constantly in the recent past. The induction of new faces in the Sri Lanka team has also made a lot of difference. The tournaments in future involving Sri Lanka will now attract great attention.

ISAAC DAVID

Jalandhar

First Test

The Indian cricket team deserves congratulations for making a history by scoring in excess of 500 runs in the second innings after having been skittled out for less than 100 runs in the first attempt against New Zealand in the first Test. Special credit goes to Ramesh, Gandhi, Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly for their fantastic batting. Though it was a slow action, it was nevertheless classic batting. Also we cannot ignore the superb bowling of Srinath.

SUBHASH C TANEJA

Rohtak

Azhar’s exclusion

The exclusion of Mohammed Azharuddin from the team named for the first Test against New Zealand came along expected lines. People had been demanding his head for quite some time. It was time he bade adieu to the game after India’s World Cup debacle. Then it would have been more graceful for him and it would have enhanced his stature and dignity. Instead he recently sent his fitness certificate to the cricket board to consider his inclusion in the team. However, the selectors discarded him declaring that they had chosen a squad keeping the future in mind. Actually it was a sort of rebuff given to him which he did never deserve as he had scored 6104 runs from 98 Tests with 21 centuries, as many fifties and 105 catches. He had been the most successful captain of India who deserved a better treatment.

Rather than showing him the door the selectors should have exhibited maturity and sagacity by giving him a little more time to retire with honour, grace and self-respect. Then his exit would not have become unceremonial as it has become now. But who bothers about decency? After all the selectors are also human beings with human foibles, aren’t they? On the other hand decency, gentleness, ceremony, formality, generosity, magnanimity and large-heartedness are inconsequential.

TARSEM S. BURMAH

Batala

Pak fight back

In the recent Coca Cola triangular series played between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies at Sharjah, the match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a tie. Pakistan fought till the end. Although Sri Lanka were 157 for 1, the remaining nine batsmen were out for 39 runs only. It shows that the Pakistanis are great fighters. Razaak ( 5 for 31) Wasim ( 3 for 38)infused a new life in the tie.

PROF Y.L. CHOPRA

Bathinda

Flag misuse

During the LG Cup quadrangular tournament played in Nairobi it was noticed that some Indian fans were dressed in the Indian Tricolour and some others were waving the Indian flag which was meant to promote certain products. This was very embarrassing . The national flag should not be used for such purposes.

UMESH DEWAN

Ludhiana