 |
|
| SPORTS TRIBUNE | Saturday, March 24, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
|
How SJOBA sub-Himalayan rally
began ‘Groom athletes in India’ Looking for a better deal TEEING-OFF |
|
|
How SJOBA sub-Himalayan rally
began THE
year was 1981. September was rushing through and St John’s was engulfed in the hustle and bustle which accompanies a sports day. The students indulged in all sports ranging from high jump to relays, sprints to marathon and all the old boys could do was to occupy the stands or march across in traditional fashion. The heart-throbbing activities enthused the old foggies with a spirit of adventure and a deep sense of nostalgia hit them to such an extent that they decided to recall their days of fun and frolic and immerse themselves in games and gaiety. Suggestions of quality and variety rolled in from every piece of grey-matter which was capable of thought. A group suggested a car-rally and an opposition suggested a veteran’s sports meet. One suggested a cricket match and was soon drowned by the proposal of a fishing contest. But then, after much haggling and deliberation what finally became the object of every ones dreams was the 1981 scooter/mobike Open Rally which happened to be the brainchild of none other but the then Secretary, Ranjit Sarin. And after that, before anyone could say Jack Robinson twice, the SJOBA members had taken up arms and the project was under way. Stretching nights into days, days into weeks, everyone waited with great and patient expectation for the day of destiny. Though everyone loved, enjoyed and relished every bit of the work they were called upon to do, but no one was able to excuse Ranjit Sarin for having brain-borne such a problem-child. And least of all Ranjit Sarin himself. Needless to say the first rally was a major success. Of squealing tyres and dusty tracks, of gravel strewn hair-pin bends and crystalline waters of meandering streams, of screaming engines and men with nerves of steel. That’s the stuff that the SJOBA rallies have been made of. From an open moped rally two decades back to the SJOBA Sub-Himalayan Open Rally-2001, this premier event has certainly come a long way. This year the rally is being held on March 25. The rally itself has grown phenomenally over the years. The rally first took place in 1981. Since then this event has been held every year save a few years when the rally had to be called off as a result of the Punjab problem. Over the years the rally has seen the likes of Hari Singh, Amrinder Sandhu and Rohitaaz Kumar, all national rally champions, to name a few who got their riding and driving skills honed through the SJOBA rally. In fact the rally was, is and will always remain on the priority list of budding champions from the region as well as outside for its sheer professionalism and skill-challenging route. Appropriately then, the SJOBA rally is credited with creating winners. Past rallies have seen wide-ranging participation, from individuals of the likes of Hari Singh to organisations like the Indian Army and the Chandigarh Police. The SJOBA Sub-Himalayan Open Rally-2001 promises to be as much of a cliff-hanger as ever, if not more. Divided into competitive and transport stretches, the flag-off from St John’s would see the rallyists run the transport section till ‘Chakki Ka Mor’. Here begins the first competitive section which runs on past Bhojnagar and Gaura before coming to Chail where men and machines take a breather. From here on its raising dust till through Dharampur, the gravel tracks of Garhkhal, Masulkhana and Mandana before wading through the stream at Kona and manoeuvring through the treacherous sand of the river bed at Karondia. Numerous recces and checks have already been done on the route. The communications networks, an essential ingredient of a rally, are in place with mobiles, wireless sets and ham radios linking the whole circuit together. A comprehensive road book, showing each step of the way, is prepared every year to help in accurate navigation. Then there are the FIVs (fast intervention vehicles) which intervene in the case of a mishap and evacuate, if necessary. There are an adequate number of ambulances complete with medical teams prepared for any injuries arising out of a possible mishap. The rally, over the years, has developed into a highly professionally managed event and is acknowledged by all and sundry as one of the most popular events in this part of the country. Over 12 checkpoints and positions are manned by over 150 dedicated old boys from St John’s who have become experts of sorts over the years as marshals for the rally. |
|
‘Groom athletes in India’ “THE
direction to groom athletes in India should be in right perspective”, observed non-resident Indian and former Olympian Jasbir Singh Ghuman, who won the gold medal in 400 metres hurdles at the 1975 Asian Track and Field in Seoul, South Korea. Ghuman now lives in Norwich, New York. He was in the city recently to promote athletics. Ghuman who is popularly known as ‘Jeo’ stressed the need to develop athletics. A native of Gurdaspur district, he qualified for the Montreal 1976 Olympics also. Later he plunged into hotel industry and today owns a chain of hotels and restaurants under the banner NKS Hotels Corporation. Ghuman (52) has decided to award Rs 50,000 each to the best boy and girl athlete during the National School Games to be held this year. The basic idea of the cash prize was to enable the athletes to continue their practice even in college where most of the budding athletes failed to come up after school. No organisation or federation takes care at that particular age and period of the athlete and as a result, the vitality was lost. According to Ghuman there was enough talent in the region, particularly Punjab and Chandigarh. Ghuman, whose career-best achievement was 51.8 seconds in the Asian Track and Field meet in 1975, said he was exploring the idea of selecting a few talented athletes at the junior level, who could be invited to the USA for advanced training. He had already discussed the idea with few of his non-resident friends and they all were ready to bear the financial costs. Ghuman, while narrating his athletic experience, feels that success only comes with the will to succeed. Before taking to hurdles he was interested to long jump, where he excelled. But one day, during training hours at Panjab University grounds, his coach watched him at hurdles. After that there was no stopping for ‘Jeo’, who became a superb athlete at 400 metres hurdles. Ghuman feels only senior athletes are able to avail the services of reputed coaches whereas junior athletes do not get enough exposure in India. Instead of depending on the government to support athletics, the industrialists of Punjab should come forward to sponsor athletes, who can give them good returns as athletics is a glamorous sport. |
|
Looking for a better deal WITH
the murky dealings shadowing everything in men’s cricket, it is perhaps time to look towards the women and give them the opportunity to become our sporting “heroes”. It was they who showed men the way in one-day cricket, hosting the first women’s cricket World Up in 1973 while the idea was conceptualised in 1971. Men followed their women counterparts to host the World Cup in 1975. In spite of taking a headstart over men, there are very few, if any, takers for women’s cricket in India. In a country with poor general sports awareness among women, it is creditable that we have world-class cricket players. They can almost match men in the talent but the pity is that they are treated as poor country cousins. Men’s cricket is almost a religion in the country whereas women’s cricket in the eyes of the Government of India is fit only for group B, a lower down the order priority. A little while back it was even lower in group. In the 2000 women’s World Cup India finished a creditable fourth. In the semifinals they lost to eventual champions New Zealand. The women score as fast as the men and play hard as well. The competitions are as fierce and the Indian women did well to reach the semifinals. “There is much more interest in women’s cricket in Australia and New Zealand as compared to India,” says Sukhwinder Bawa, who worked on the players techniques at a preparatory camp at Nehru Stadium, Delhi. “There — in Australia and New Zealand — the facilities are excellent, world class whereas we, in India, hardly have any worthwhile facilites. There is a huge gap in the facilities for men and women players in India. But not in Australia. “In Australia, the job opportunities are also so much letter. The players don’t really lack anything. They can devote all their attention to cricket.” Most of the Indian women cricket players are from south India or Delhi and work for Air-India and Indian Railways. To prepare them for the World Cup a 15-day physical camp was held in June where 40 probables were invited. The stress was on physical fitness and its various aspects were worked upon. One place where Indian women lag behind others is physical fitness. Like their men counterparts they are nowhere near the fitness levels achieved by teams like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The second camp, where the stress was on physical fitness and fielding, was held in August-September. “By the time the second camp was held most of the players had forgotten everything taught in the first camp, their fitness level was back to square one,” says Bawa. After a 10-day gap the third and final camp was held. The stress was on technique and fitness. The probables divided themselves into three teams and had a few practise matches. The final camp was held from November 9 to 22 at the Nehru Stadium. A mixture of experience and young blood, the Indians were a balanced side. Anjun Chopra, Anju Jain, Chandrakanta Kaul and Mithali Raj were there to take care of the batting. Purnima Rav, Neetu David, Deepa Kulkarni and Rupanjali Shastri were the main strength of the spin department. Indian women, on the overall, dished out a creditable performance. They lost only to Australia and New Zealand and won all the other matches by handsome margins. They reached the semifinal against New Zealand but failed to put up an inspired performance and were ousted by a superior team. “It is really creditable that they managed to reach the semifinals, considering the facilities provided to them are almost non-existent,” says Bawa. “Despite all the shortcomings they did well. A little more support and they can do us proud,” says Bawa, who has also coached the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia. The Indian team landed in New Zealand of November 24, 2000, and their first match was on November 30. There was hardly any time to acclamatise and they were horribly short of match practice. Disaster struck as key player Mithali Raj came down with typhoid after two matches. And like in the men’s game, the issue of chucking also reared its ugly head. Right arm off spinner Paurnima Rav and Renu Margraet came under its shadow. Doubts were cast on their bowling action, thus effectively distraching their attention. “They could not concentrate with the pressure building up. I told them that they were just divisionary tacties of the Australians but it did have an effect on their performance.’’ Men cricketers are treated like demi-gods-but more often than not they have let millions of Indian down. This is despite the fact that they have everything they would need to be world-beaters which they have failed to be. Sydney Olympics was all about equality. For the first time in the Olympic history men and women competed in the same number of events. May be its also time for equality between men and women’s cricket in India. All-Indian women’s cricket would need is a Sachin Tendulkar or a Kristian Brandi, who took women’s football in America to dizzy heights. Perhaps the future of cricket in India lies with the women’s team. |
|
TEEING-OFF THE
country’s most prestigious and the highest prize money championship, the Wills Indian Open, will not be held from the next year as the ban on cigarette advertisement continues. It is a sad end to the championship, which started in 1964 with all the pomp and show helped in promoting golf in the country. Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee became the new champion of the contest which was again held at Classic Golf Resort at Gurgoan. Scotland’s Ross Bain was the runner-up. India’s Arjun Atwal and Chris Williams (South Africa) were joint third. When the championship began 38 years ago, it was to rotate between Kolkata and Delhi. But, from 1995, no championship could be held in Delhi as there was a ban on cigarette advertisement by the Delhi Government. But the last two editions, that is, 2000 and 2001, were held at Gurgaon where the Indian Tobacco Company has its own resort which, according to renowned players, Indian and foreign, is one of the finest resorts. It would have been a poetic justice if an Indian had won the title this time. In the last two contests, both held at Calcutta Royal Golf Course, it was Indians who had dominated the championship. Jaidee, one of the most talented golfers from Asia, set a new championship record of 271 when he claimed the title. He played consistently throughout and deserved to win the competition. His close contestant, Ross, showed his sporting spirit when he said: “Jaidee played better and he deserved to win it”. It was a touch and go for the title between Jaidee and Ross and the final round began. Arjun Atwal made a last-bid effort but he could only succeed in narrowing the gap. Both Jaidee and Ross fought all day admirably. Both shot six under 66. But Jaidee managed a birdie on the final hole. That helped him get over-all tally of 17 under and the title. It was a windless day unlike previous three days. Most of the established stars played superb golf and, not for nothing, scores were impressive. Much was expected from defending champion Jyoti Randhawa. But he was not in his true elements. He could not strike his belligerent mood. He could finish six under. This was good enough for him to finish joint 15th. Chiranjeev Milkha Singh was conspicuous by his absence from this championship. But he did perform creditably in the Japan circuit. Royal and Ancient Is Royal and Ancient Golf Club in Britain truly cosmopolitan? Some genuine promoters of golf feel it is not although about half of its membership is outside the United Kingdom. The Royal and Ancient Club’s constitution and bylaws are as orthodox, conservative and rigid as those of the MCC. It took decades before vital changes were brought out in the cricket structure of England. Similar was the constitution of the Imperial Cricket Conference. It became International Cricket Council but England and Australia retained the vetoing power. It was Indian representatives who had to wage a war of attrition to get important amendments made in the ICC. It is now a truly international body and the World Cup is no longer England’s monopoly. The Royal and Ancient Club’s captain John Uzielli was here on a short visit. He will also visit Australia and some clubs in other countries. The US Open is more important at present than the British Open. Other opens are also gaining in importance. The diehard golf analysts feel that there is an urgent need for the international body, on the lines of the ICC, to control and administer golf. John Uzielli, like many renowned English cricket players, was born in Chennai. He was only 11 months old when he went to England. His father was in the Indian Civil Service. His mother was also born in Chennai as her father was in the Indian police. He said that he remembered having played with H.S. Malik at Oxford. |
|||||
sm
|
 |
Hats off to Indian cricket team Hats off to the Indian team for the victory over Australia in the historical Test at Edens Gardens. The Indian team deserves praise but all credit goes to Laxman, Harbhajan and Dravid for their fantastic performance. India became the third team to win after following on in 1535 Test matches in the history of cricket. India overshadowed Australia completely in all parts of the game. Shekhar Bhoral, Shimla II The Indian cricket team is rejuvenated with the presence of youngsters. I think it is for the first time in many years that 7-8 of them are playing together on a regular basis. Kumble’s absence has been more than compensated by Harbhajan. In the second Test at Kolkata, VVS Laxman’s knocks of 59 and 281 and Harbhajan with a haul of 13 wickets completely overshadowed the senior players like Sachin, Ganguly and Dravid. The Indian cricket board rightly boosted the players’ morale by announcing cash awards. Arun Bhardwaj,
Jalandhar
III India’s victory at Eden Gardens in the third Test against Australia, is nothing short of a miracle. Our batting line-up is strong but we need a good start to our innings. In bowling, if we are at full strength, we are pretty effective. Srinath remains the main strike bowler, with Zaheer Khan at the opposite end. For spin sttack, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh can be effective. Ajit Agarkar is a good change swing bowler, but as a batsman, he has not made the grade. Sharandeep Singh is also a fine off spinner, who can be usefully. Poor fielding is our main drawback. Swaranjit Singh,
Amritsar
IV India lost the Test match at Mumbai due to poor batting. The Indian team as well as all cricket loving Indians demand too much from Sachin Tendulkar. This puts pressure on Tendulkar. The Indian batting line-up is as strong as that of Australia and South Africa. However, the Indian players lose confidence very quickly by becoming over-defensive. Prince,
Bathinda
Hockey win It was very heartening to learn that the Indian hockey team has won the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup Hockey Tournament played at Dhaka. India beat arch rivals Pakistan 6-5. It was a wonderful and interesting match. By half time both teams were level 2-2. Subhash C. Taneja,
Rohtak
II Indian hockey is again staging a comeback. The other day, India defeated arch rivals Pakistan 6-5 in the nine-nation Prime Minister’s Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at Dhaka. Daljit Dhillon converted India’s fifth and final stroke in the tie-breaker to make it 3-2. There is no doubt that it was team work and India played really well. It is hoped that in the coming years, India will show good results in Asian Games and Olympics. B.M. Singh Narang,
Chandigarh
|
