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| SPORTS TRIBUNE | Saturday, May 3, 2003, Chandigarh, India |
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Drug cobra under Punjab’s carpet Teeing-off
Water sports centre of repute
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Two faces of Indian sport Indian sport in its many faces makes for an interesting, and often fascinating study. And of particular significance in recent weeks was the contrasting attitude of the general public at large to the fortunes of two very high profile sports personalities. One of them, a present day icon, celebrated his 30th birthday while another, a super-hero of the 50s was lying in a Mumbai hospital, an ailing man, a forgotten hero. Sachin Tendulkar already well into the hall of fame is a cricketing icon, rated among four or five top class batsmen of the present era. In India where sporting heroes are few and far between, he has been almost deified, his world cup saga being relived through a million hearts almost every day. No wonder the entire country reacted to his 30th birthday with the icon being flooded in greetings from all over. The hype given to the occasion was something unbelievable, but not totally unexpected. In sharp contrast was the reaction to Wilson Jones, two times world champion in billiards. Some enterprising media man found Jones, now in his 80s, an almost forgotten man of a low profile sport, battling age and illness in a Mumbai hospital. The report in the newspaper highlighted his plight and need for financial help. The response was encouraging. People from all walks of life, including a young boy with his pocket money, joined the crowd of helping hands. The response here was more to the newspaper story than the fact that the man who needed help was a former world champion. But billiards, despite India’s very high profile presence, is still not a common man’s game, certainly nowhere in the same class as cricket. Wilson Jones and his family would be very grateful for the response to the distress call but there is the larger question of dignity and pride which requires to be looked into. Is it necessary for every ailing sportsperson of yesteryears to be projected as someone who is helpless and in need of money? Has anyone ever thought of his dignity and pride? Why should our heroes of the past be projected as deserving of charity? Wilson Jones was a pioneer among Indian sportsmen. He was India’s first individual world champion, not once but twice and in the days when the country had hardly any sport image except perhaps for hockey in which it was the Olympic champions. And more importantly he could be considered the father of the cue sport in India since it was his efforts on the world stage that laid the foundation for the triumphs of many of his followers in billiards and snooker. If India today is rated among the top country in the cue sport, it is because of the pioneering efforts of people like Wilson Jones. The plight of Wilson Jones and the publicity it received raises a number of questions. Surely sportsmen of the past deserve something better! They should not be left to fend for themselves in times of distress. And not all of them have access to the media. Wilson Jones is but one example. There have been many such instances in the past of forgotten heroes reduced to desperation because of illness and old age. Maybe the Indian Olympic Association is not in a position to help. But all its affiliates have a duty to keep track of the men and women who have served the country in their year’s excellence. There is an Arjuna Awards society of sorts whose scope can be expanded to cover old sportsmen honoured by the government. Between the national federation and the State units it is quite possible to monitor the fortunes of former national and international stars, their situation and their well-being. It is not a tall order. If some such interest is shown and care taken then there will be fewer cases like that of Wilson Jones. Sportsmen, young or old, are national property. With the exception of cricketers in particular, golf and tennis players, the majority among the rest of the disciplines still need to be looked after. It is time that the IOA with the help of the federations and state units form some sort of a central authority to take care of old warriors in distress. One should not wait for them to get to a stage where they are forced to send distress signals. It is not dignified, either for them or for the sport they excelled in. In fact it is a reflection on the country itself. |
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Drug cobra under Punjab’s carpet We know by now that drug abuse is becoming part of our state's sports system. Positive tests in the National Games held in Punjab and Hyderabad are indications that anything more would be disastrous for the development and promotion of sports. If that is so why waste money, resources and efforts? It is a disgrace that a state like Punjab should figure in the list of defaulters. This is the strongest setback to our performance and our great veterans must be most hurt because they won medals through sweat and toil without any incentives. They need to play their part in educating the young players that outstanding performances can be achieved with dedication and discipline. Every medallist does not fall in this category. They are few but the most dangerous is the tendency of athletes to take to drugs. Athletes who indulge in such practices are at times helped by their coaches and federation officials which is most unfortunate. When such reports are made public everyone concerned with that discipline wants to bail out the defaulters which is even worse. The only aspect that needs to be watched is that no innocent athlete is made a scapegoat. Defaulters must not be given an escape route. If this happens our sports system is bound to collapse with little hope for the future. At this juncture let us not blame any individual federation or institution. Otherwise we may get stuck in the old graveyard. Henceforth a blueprint should be drawn up to counter the menace. Exemplary punishment should be made part of such plans. The Punjab Olympic Association should be made accountable and the government instead of doling out cash or other incentives without verifying ground realities should become more alert and ensure that defaulters do not grab benefits. The Punjab Olympic Association has formed a committee to counter drug abuse, but where are the resources, infrastructure, and blueprint ? Efforts though well intentioned are not enough. A preventive system has to be provided with teeth. A massive drive to educate the young players right from the school level has to be undertaken by Sports Departments of Punjab, Education Department registered and unregistered sports bodies and the Punjab Olympic Association. Only then will the right signal go across the state that Punjab is being made drug free, at least on the playing fields. Let this movement begin before it is too late. —
The writer is a former Director Sports, Punjab |
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Teeing-off The championship was well conducted. The organisers changed the timing of at least one match to accommodate a participant to take her annual examination. The action seemed in order as no competitor should be allowed to suffer in studies on account of golf or any other sport. Shruti misjudged the action. She thought the organisers were being partial to someone. Under normal circumstances, the timing of the match could not have been altered but this was an extraordinary case and the change of the timing should have been taken in a proper perspective. But Shruti protested and also had a word or two with a few media persons. This again should have been taken in the right spirit instead of the organisers getting agitated about it. There are innumerable instances when this or that committee member leaks out a ‘secret’ information or decision to media. La affaire Shruti Khanna, it was a senior committee member, who provided all the details and revealed that the action was being taken against her. The information was given to the journalist without his seeking it. If a mature member of the prestigious committee can be indiscreet, why blame a youngster, Shruti, who is known for being frank, forthright and extrovert. One of the most promising and talented players in the country, she deserves mature handling as modern youth is different from ‘veterans’. On course, ‘etiquette’ is one of the rules. But the Ladies Section (IGU) does not have unambiguous conduct rules. Following this incident, may be, the organisers will draft rules and make it mandatory that the players and also committee members have to be discreet in passing on information to the media. Also whether it is prudent for the person connected with media to be member of the committee. Earl Woods (Tiger Woods Foundation) in the book: “Start Something”, says: “This book is dedicated to the millions of beautiful children, who face life’s trials and tribulations as they prepare to go forth into adulthood. Although their journey may be challenged by pitfalls and obstacles, my sincere wish is that it is also filled with understanding, sympathy and lots of love...”
The SAARC Tournament was a grand success. The players from Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and India were humble and friendly. They mingled freely and made many friends during their stay here for about a week. Who won or who could not was of little consequence. India, however, retained the title for the fourth time in a row while Sri Lanka were runners-up. The foreign participants were all praise for the course which even after recent battering in the Indian Open played true. They were highly impressed at the warmth and reception provided to them. On the final day, the DGC officials, led by the president Rajiv Puri and Ramesh Kohli, made their evening enjoyable. The founder-member S.K. Misra, who initiated the competition five years ago, was conspicuous by his absence. Some of the foreign players kept asking about him. |
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Water sports centre of repute The Regional Water Sports Centre at Maharana Pratap Sagar in Kangra district has been imparting training to juveniles for over one decade. This training institute which caters to the need of the northern region, is a wing of the Mountaineering Institute, Manali. Spread over on area of 24,000 hectares this institute is the only water sports centre recognised by the Government of India. According to Mr R.R. Thakur, Director, Water Sports Centre, this institute has been imparting water sports and adventurous sports training to youths by organising training camps at Rohru in Shimla district. The water sports centre imparts training in seven elementary courses such as swimming, sailing, water skiing, kayaking, rowing, surfing and canoeing. The water sports trainees also get training in water safety and security measures. Launched with an objective of giving a fillip to water sports in the country, this centre set up in 1977 has so far trained as many as 11,000 juveniles from different parts of the country, claims Mr Thakur. Significantly, several Indian sportsmen who participated in the national as well as Asiad meets have been trained by this institute. |
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Terrorist hotbed now hub of sports The Amritsar-Majha belt once considered a ‘mini-Khalistan’, is now fast emerging as a hub of rural sports. Gun-totting youth loitering in the area was a common sight many years back. Murders, extortion and other crimes were daily occurrences in the area. However, today it is fast turning into a grooming ground for budding rural sportspersons who display their talent at sports festivals in villages. As soon as terrorism was wiped out from the area, people exhibiting the true Punjabi spirit and exuberance, started pursuing sports activities. This is evident from the large number of rural sports fairs held in different parts of this belt. A national-level wrestling meet was started at Manawala village, 10 km from Amritsar, as per the wishes of late Ajit Singh Sandhu, former SSP, who committed suicide some years ago. “He was born in this village and wanted to see the youth of his village engaged in constructive sports activities instead of wasting their lives,” says Mr Abjinder Singh Sandhu, son of the former SSP. The Manawala rural sports festival held annually is dedicated to the memory of the former police officer. The fair is organised under the aegis of the Majhail Rural Sports Society. Mr Abjinder Singh Sandhu, who is also a member of the society, gradually more games would be included in the festival. The society recently organised the two-day fair at Jagir Singh Sandhu memorial stadium, Manawala. More than a dozen teams from various villages of Majha participated in different sports disciplines. The event attracted sportspersons not only from adjoining villages but also from almost all parts of Majha. A short distance away residents of Khemkaran village, who had witnessed two wars between India and Pakistan, offer a unique tribute to the martyrs. To commemorate the memory of the hero of 1965 war Abdul Hamid, who fought at this place and attained martyrdom, a rural sports festival is organised every year. Hundreds of people throng the venue every year from the nearby villages and encourage the sportspersons in this border town. Another famous rural sports fair is held at Khadoor Sahib, the town founded by Guru Angad Dev. To organise the event annually, the residents of the area formed the Sri Guru Angad Dev Sports Development and Cultural Club. General Secretary of the club. Bhupinder Singh Khera said the fair was started with the aim of keeping rural youth away from drugs. The number of rural sports fairs has increased over the past few years. In these meets competitions are held in kabaddi,
wrestling, kho-kho, volleyball, basketball and athletics. Similarly, the Shahid Mewa Singh Memorial Rural Sports Festival is held at Lopoke village while Jagdev Kalan village also organises a similar meet every year. |
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Kudos to tennis duo Kudos to the Indian tennis duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi for their remarkable achievement in the Davis Cup qualifying matches. Both are fantastic and hard-working players. They have become the top doubles pair in the world. The individual performance of Paes is remarkable. — SANJAY, BAROTI Cricket World Cup How could we win, when our bowlers allowed Australia to put up a mammoth score of 359 runs; when our ace batsman returned to the pavilion in the very first over and when our skipper squandered away the toss advantage? Or was it the infamous match-fixing? —
WG CDR C.L. SEHGAL (RETD), JALANDHAR II The winning spree of the Indian and Australian teams continued till the final of the World Cup. India made a poor start but Australia also fumbled in the last few matches but ultimately went through to the finals. However, the Indian team kept advancing step by step. As regards Ganguly’s decision, it needs to be kept in mind that the decision to field had the concurrence of the team and management. However, since he was captain, he is being held responsible. Ganguly thought too much of Zaheer, Nehra and Srinath. —
PRINCE, BATHINDA III The World Cup is over. Though the Indian team could not bring the Cup home, their scintillating performance won the hearts of the countrymen. The commitment and coordination of the players was praiseworthy. Sachin’s 97 against the Pakistanis despite a severe muscle cramp, Nehra’s struggle despite an ankle sprain and Ganguly’s constant encouragement proved their commitment. The cricket played by this energetic lot will be remembered by all ardent fans for a long time. —
OMARPREET, LUDHIANA |
Ramu Sharma
In the absence of Irina Brar, who is still recovering from her back problem, Shruti Khanna won the national title untroubled at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) course recently. She played consistently and was a worthy winner. But her happiness has considerably been reduced as she has been accused of indiscretion and indiscipline by the Indian Golf Union (Ladies Section).