The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Harmeet confident of improving
By Abhijit Chatterjee

AS an amateur Harmeet Kahlon has seen it all. His first major win came way back in 1985 when he won the all-India sub-junior title. And the habit of winning stayed with him. He has been national champion for a number of years, won a number of international tournaments, both in India and abroad, and has also represented the country in the Asian Games. His one regret might be the fact that he could not win a medal at the Asian Games for which he worked very hard. In fact, it is well known that Harmeet delayed his entry into professional golf only to represent the country in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

Harmeet was the No 1 amateur in the country from 1993 besides winning the Singapore amateur in 1996, Pakistan amateur in 1997, and the Asia Pacific tournament in 1997 which boasted of a field more competitive than the Asian Games. He also finished 10th in the Eisenhower Trophy — the world cup of amateur golf —in 1998 in Santiago, Chile. The same year Harmeet was awarded the Arjuna Award, which must be the most prized possession of any sportsman. It was only after the Asian Games that he started giving serious thought of turning professional.

But he finally took the plunge last year when in July he turned professional, knowing fully well that amateur golf had little challenges for him. He sent notice to all the leading professional golfers by his performance in the very first tournament he took part — the Colour Plus Open in Chennai. And he capped a year of professional golf by winning the Mahindra “Rookie Golfer of the Year Award” which carries a prize money of Rs 1 lakh to take his annual earnings to nearly Rs 6 lakh besides a foreign exchange earning of $ 8,262 from foreign tournaments, not bad by any standards.

But the professional circuit has made Harmeet a better golfer. He admit that playing in the professional circuit, where every stroke is grimly fought for, has helped him to further improve his game. “I have to improve on certain aspects of my game, more so my iron play.” On the first year of his tour he finished second in three tournaments — the Surya Nepal Open ( a part of the Indian PGA Tour) at Kathmandu, the Shell Arawalli Open at Faridabad and the BPGC Open at Mumbai. And now he is thirsting for a win which he knows is well within his calibre.

At the Surya Open, Harmeet was tied for the top slot along with Rohtas and Feroz Ali, two leading professionals of the country. But he lost in the playoff . He ended the year with a ranked No 11 in the Indian PGA Tour , not bad for somebody playing in the professional circuit for the first year. His best performance in an overseas tournament came in the Philippines Masters in Manila in May last where Harmeet finished fourth.

One reason why Harmeet probably could not do better could be the fact that in India much of expected of him. He admitted that he always played better while participating abroad as the pressure was much less. Coached by Danato Di Ponziano of Italy, Harmeet is confident that the coming year will see his performance improving.

His employers since 1991, Oil India Limited, have done everything possible for him and for that he is very thankful. “Having found a tour sponsor (India Cement Limited), and a coaching sponsor (Hero Honda) I have very little to worry,” was his frank admission when I met him at the Chandigarh Golf Club . “This is the place where I learnt the basics of the game and I still come here to practice whenever I am in Chandigarh.” For a golfer who is constantly on the move , Harmeet tries to spend time with his family, his parents and wife, Shalini, whenever the time permits. Besides golf practice, it is in Chandigarh that Harmeet does a lot of physical training since being in top physical form is very important for a golfer.

Harmeet is also very thankful to his caddie, local lad Vijay Kumar Yadav, who is with him in every tournament that he plays in India. Besides a salary of Rs 7000 per month, Harmeet, also gives 10 per cent of his earnings to his caddie.

US Open: Sampras, Rafter start favourites
By Sanjay Manchanda

THE fans at the US Open are the most demanding in the world, but it’s give-and-take. The players establish a relationship with them. The spectators may put up with whiners, but they recognise effort and reward those in the middle much faster than anywhere else.

This succinctly, will be the scene at Flushing Meadows of New York for the whole fortnight beginning from August 28. But with these little tit-bits, one will of course, witness some fierce, breath-taking tennis on the courts as each and every contestant may at least crave to leave a mark, if not bid for the title, at the year’s last grand slam championships.

Foremost among the men’s favourites would be none other than the two inform players-Pete Sampras and Patrick Rafter. Only a few weeks ago, Sampras beat Rafter in the Wimbledon final and the former would surely be running hot for the US Open crown.

Last year, the championships were robbed of its main charm as both the stalwarts had to withdraw because of injuries. While Rafter withdrew days before the start of the US Open due to a shoulder problem Sampras left his first round game midway following a niggling knee injury. Now that both players look fit and fine and having crossed swords in the Wimbledon final, the interest for both of them would be at its peak at the US Open.

Andre Agassi would be another star to watch out for. The American, after putting up a disappointing snow at Wimbledon by his own standards, would be more than keen to make up with the defence of his title. To boot in, Agassi’s strong baseline game would be more suited to the surface at Flushing Meadows than what he encountered at the Wimbledon grass.

Yevgeny Kefelnikov, who is eyeing to be world No. 1 this year, should count himself among the front-runners for the title. Similarly, Richard Krajicek and Americans Michael Chang and Todd Martin must also be training their sights on the crown.

Others expected to make a mark include Thomas Enqvist, Tim Henman and Mark Philipoussis.

A new generation of serve-smashing young stars is taking its place atop women’s tennis and the evolution was apparent at the Wimbledon Championships. The rise of the Williams sisters has been amazing and the Wimbledon served as a perfect example of how the likes of Venus and Serene Williams can provide all the excitement and entertainment to the expectant fans.

Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport and Monica Seles lend further edge to women’ tennis with their power game and this young brigade is now even threatening to upstage the women’s tennis over the men’s as is evident from the huge crowds attracted by the women’s matches.

A chance to clean the air
By Ramu Sharma

ATHLETICS in India has gone through some dramatic moments during the past few months. The domestic circuit meets and the Inter-State competition has produced some stirring performances to add to some tremendous showing on the training-cum-competition outing in Kiev (Ukraine). Records that have hitherto seemed unapproachable have been shattered and new marks, a couple of them going even over the Asian best, have been registered in events where the progress has been indeed staggering.

P.T.Usha who announced her retirement from the international arena for the second time in a decade while still keeping her preferences open on the domestic circuit, has been totally stumped. She still cannot believe that her name is not in the record books anymore in three events — 100, 200 and the 400 metres. Paramjit Singh who ran under Milkha’s 400-metre mark in Calcutta two years ago has again overrun the famous record 10 days ago, this time making it even more plausable by carrying second placed Ramachandran too over the mark.

And even while Neelam J.Singh continues to improve upon the women’s discus throw record, increasing the distance with almost every meet as it were, Shakti Singh appears to have found hidden strength as he has unleashed throws over the 20-metre mark on more than one occasion and in the process has even overstepped on the Asian shot put record. Records have also been set in the relays by both men and women athletes, the women’s javelin and hammer throw (this being a comparatively new event, the standards have yet to be stabilised) and other events to give a picture that projects Indian athletics as having attained dizzy heights this year.

The picture thus before the Asian Championship and the Sydney Olympics is particularly heartening. Never before has Indian athletics promised so much before major internationals competitions. Expectations must, however, be tempered with some reservations too and though it is much to hope for miracles in the Olympics (that is a different ball game) there is no reason why India should not do something special in the Asian Championships to be held in Jakarta later this month. Indian athletes have never before been so well prepared for this class of meet.

The exciting performances have, however, not been accepted as readily as some of performers and the Amateur Athletics Federation of India would have expected. In these days of drug-abuse and overly enthusiastic and ambitious officials it would be very unrealistic to take every performance for granted, particularly those performances which have stood the test of time, unbending and seemingly impossible to reach. And P.T.Usha and some other athletes who records have been touched upon or bettered have rightly expressed reservations about the manner in which their marks have been broken. And statements of athletes about the vitamin tablets given to them and the injections before the races, no matter how innocent they may be, have all contributed to casting a shadow on the records broken.

The atmosphere thus is rather pregnant with doubts. It is certainly not fair to those who have striven to improve upon their performances and have gone over the existing records but at the same time it is also unfair to those holding the records if the performances have been obtained under the influence of alleged stimulants. It is not like old times when everything was taken for granted and in good spirits.

And there are some older, gentlemen athletes, who are not happy at the manner in which reservations have been expressed by those whose records have been broken. They feel that these people should accept the fact that their records have been bettered in the right spirit. But unfortunately in these days where every performance is suspect, and there is so much talk about drug-abuse, it is not easy to remain quite and accept everything in good faith. Times have changed.

The Amateur Athletics Federation of India which should have been overlooking the competition and monitoring the performances has obviously been a silent spectator, totally immune to the growing doubts, even in some obvious cases. It was only after P.T.Usha had reacted that the federation chose to take a stand. First it announced that drug tests would be conducted in all meets held after a particular date and that the records broken would only be ratified after the Asian Championships in Jakarta.

The championships at Jakarta thus assumes importance, particularly for those who have hit the headlines with record breaking performances in the past few months. For them to win a medal is not enough. Everyone of them will have to repeat the performances achieved on home soil or even come somewhere around it to be able to convince the world that they have been totally above board and their records, set at home, were not due to any underhand means. In other words they were not under the influence of any outside agency in their metabolism while performing the remarkable feats they have been credited with.

If they are able to do that at Jakarta Indian athletics would have won a great battle. They would have convinced all that they are all capable of great deeds and there was no reason for anyone to question the legality of their performances at home. A matching performance outside the country is the only way to silence the critics. And Jakarta offers the best opportunity to do so.

Thus among others Shakti Singh will have to reach within his best of 20.60 metres in the shot put, Anil Kumar will be required to run the 100 metres around 10.3 sec, Paramjit Singh and Ramachandran the 400 metres below 46 sec, and Rachita Mistry, Vanita Tripathi and K.M.Beenamol to come under or equal P.T. Usha’s records in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres, respectively. The same goes for the host of other athletes who have set the track and field ablaze with outstanding feats in the domestic circuit during the past few months.

It is not a tall order but these rated performances are a must if future showing at home by athletes are to have any credibility. History and past records are against such achievements but then never before have the athletes attained the standards and in such depth and numbers. The onus is on the athletes to prove they are absolutely “clean”. Indeed Indian athletics is on the threshold of a new era. It can either make or break in Jakarta.

Triathlon set to make splash at Sydney
By Mitch Phillips

THE triathlon could not have picked a more spectacular place for its Olympic debut than Sydney, a picture postcard course in and around the city’s stunning harbour.

Featuring a 1,500 metre sea swim, a 40-km bike ride and a 10-km run, competitors will surge out to sea in a mass of foam and flying elbows to try to gain an early advantage.

Next they transfer, still dripping wet, on to their hi-tech, featherlight bikes before tearing around the lapped course, stretched out on low-profile handlebars.

Then, in a second change of kit that would leave superman still adjusting his underpants in the phone box, they exchange bike shoes for runners and set off for the final leg.

Despite the physical difficulty encountered when the muscles are suddenly asked to do a totally different job they will then post a 10-km time that would have been not far off an Olympic medal on the track a few years ago.

Once dismissed as a sport for also-rans who were not quite up to scratch in any of the individual events, the triathlon is now recognised as a true test of prowess in three of the Olympics’ most time-honoured disciplines.

It has a short history, the first low key combination events recorded as recently as the mid-1970s.

The first Hawaii ironman in 1978 gave the sport some structure as three existing events — the 3.8 km waikiki swim, the 180-km round-the-island bike race and the Honolulu marathon run over 42.195-km — were linked into one.

As the ironman developed and earned impressive television audiences in the United States, boosted by the sight of exhausted athletes literally crawling the last few metres of the brutally tough test, grass roots interest also grew.

The ironman was out of reach for most but it spawned shorter events that attracted athletes from all three disciplines.

Eventually standard distances were set, though other combinations continue to thrive. But then came the debates about rules which still divide the sport.

The most contentious issue is that of “drafting” in the bike section, i.e. tucking closely behind another rider to gain a towing advantage in their slipstream.

While still outlawed in most amateur events, the professional and elite races have long given up trying to police the pack and now the athletes work together, just as in any normal bike race.

Purists complain this has reduced the importance of the bike leg and given too much emphasis to the run, as all the leaders tend to stay bunched in a pack for the duration.

It can also make for chaotic transitions as a mass of competitors arrive as one with bikes, helmets and shoes flying.

The sport has also been rent by internal politics and a struggle for international control.

In Australia, where triathlon’s popularity is immense, many disgruntled athletes have spent more time with lawyers than coaches as they have fought against Olympic selection policy.

Officials hardly helped their cause by their disastrous staging of the World Championships in Perth in April, when a wrongly measured course left the leading women finishers all briefly celebrating what would have been world record 10 km times.

That led to more finger-pointing and buck-passing and sparked a new round of legal appeals by athletes from various nations, whose Olympic qualification hopes had been ruined by the farcical race.

Concerns over possible shark attacks in the Sydney race also appeared after organisers said they planned to use divers with sonar devices to scare the beasts away.

That scheme has now been dropped, however, and as triathlon finally comes of age the Olympic competitors’ greatest fear will remain losing their goggles in the opening melee. — Reuters

England owe victory to bowlers

HATS off to England who scored an extraordinary but spectacular victory over West Indies by an innings and 39 runs in the fourth match of the five Test series. They wrapped up the match in two days, an amazing feat achieved only the second time in the history of Test cricket since 1945-46.

Actually England owe their fantastic win to their bowlers. Bowling in tandem, the trio of White, Caddick and Gough kept up a nagging line, length and accuracy.

The West Indian batsmen played like novices. Only the young Rookie Sarwan withstood the English bowling onslaught as he scored unbeaten 59 and 17 in both the innings. Unfortunately fast bowler Curtly Ambrose’s jubilation over his personal achievement of taking his Test wickets tally past the 400 mark was marred by his team’s pathetic performance in the match. Now that England have established a 2-1- lead in the series, they will definitely press home the advantage to clinch the series, a task which they have never been able to perform against their opponents since 1969. On the other hand Windies will make an all out effort to level the series by winning the final. The outcome of that crucial match is being awaited with bated breath.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH
Batala

Ambrose’s feat

West Indies fast bowler Curtly Ambrose deserves heartiest congratulations for taking the 400th Test wicket. His 400th victim was Mike Atherton who was caught by Brian Lara in the fourth Test against England. He has become the fifth bowler in the world to achieve this milestone. Richard Hadlee of New Zealand was the first bowler to claim 400 wickets. His record was broken by Kapil Dev. Although he is quite fit to play yet he has decided to retire from active cricket after this series. Well done Ambrose!

SUBHASH C. TANEJA
Rohtak

Judoka’s plight

I was shocked to read that Tarsem Lal, who won gold medal in the All India Inter-University Championship in judo in 1999 is languishing in abject poverty. It is disgraceful that a player who has the potential to earn international fame is meted out step-motherly treatment. Tarsem Lal is not an ordinary sportsperson. He is a great force to reckon with. He has won many medals and has taken part in many meets. He won the gold medal in the junior national championship in 1995-96 at Bhopal, gold in the Junior National Championship at Pune apart from the gold in the Federation Cup in 1995 in Delhi. He also won laurels when in 1997 he defeated a Sri Lankan in the India Cup International Judo Championship. Can’t a rehabilitation council for sportsmen be set up to provide financial aid to such persons.

VIJAY SHEEL JAIN
Ludhiana

No sports complex

Mohali lacks sports complex facilities. Children in the age group of 12-18 years and above do not have a common place to utilise their free time. They either go to parks for walks like old men or indulge in other undesirable activities. It is strongly suggested that a large sports complex with multi sports facilities should be provided at Mohali. It will improve the health of youngsters and give them a chance to learn team spirit.

Moreover, there is no club where people can socialise, relax and enjoy themselves on holidays on week-ends.

J.S. JOHAL
Mohali