Hockey needs good marketing
Ramu Sharma

VICTROY indeed does wonders. And so it has been proved with the title win in a four-nation tournament in Germany which virtually wrapped the hockey stars in an euphoric embrace the like of which has not been heard or seen for quite some years now. Suddenly the hockey players have become stars, if not household figures. They have been interviewed, lauded and almost deified. And more than that, the game has also earned a sponsor.

Judging from the space accorded in newspapers and time afforded on the idiot box, Indian hockey appeared to have arrived all over again. And why not? It has been a long time, in fact almost five years since the title win in the Bangkok Asian Games, that the country’s hockey elite have something to boast about. Victories over Pakistan and Australia in Down Under contests and a title win in a competition which included Argentina, the regular tormentors, Spain and of course world champions Germany in the subsequent four-nation contest in Germany are not something which can be treated lightly. India lost to Germany but overpowered the other two. The quality of the game against Spain revived nostalgic memories of the time when the country’s hockey reigned supreme in the world.

The title win has rejuvenated the game to an extent that it has drawn a sponsor and with it a handsome amount of money, some of which should certainly find itself in the pockets of the players. And going by the daily publicity given to Dhanraj Pillay and his men, there is every possibility of more business houses joining in to boost the kitty.

The achievements in Australia and Germany however has to be tempered with cold logic. Hockey needs to be marketed whether it wins or not. The game is bigger than the results it achieves. There lies the tragedy or immaturity of the Indian ethos. What if the team had not won in Australia and Germany? Were the boys to be neglected and hounded to insignificance?

There is a tendency in this country to overlook the fact that hockey is more than a game . It is a tradition and as such requires constant care. Winning and losing is a part of the game. It does not matter if the team loses but what is important is that it continues to grow and flourish within the country. Unfortunately once India started its downward slip in the world, the authorities and the public appeared to lose interest in the game.

Even now the most important responsibility of the IHF and the government appears to revolve around how best to win Olympic, Asian and other titles. In fact equal if not more, importance should be placed on the continued sustenance and development of the game within the country. Old tournaments should be revived and more meaningful national competition, possibly with substantial prize money could be envisaged. It is not going to be easy but given the euphoria over recent achievements, these efforts may prove successful.

The Indian Hockey Federation, however, could do a bit more by way of bringing big time hockey and Indian performances on the television screen. They should have persuaded the government to help in live telecast of the matches in Australia and Germany. Unfortunately not much thought is given in this direction. One of the reasons of course is lack of money and the other is a certain disinterestedness in the game itself by the popular channels. Had it been cricket, no matter how minor a tournament, the television channels would have vied with each other to ensure live telecast of the matches.

The hockey-loving public in India needs to see and judge for themselves how the team played in the two tournaments. Telecast of matches is one important way of marketing the game. And it should not be limited to just international outings. Even the national championships , at least from the quarter-final stage, should be given the same mileage. At the moment even the final match is not given much importance.

Maybe things will change now. One never knows though. A couple of defeats outside can completely reverse the trend and hockey will be forgotten again. It is up to the authorities to see that it does not happen so. The momentum must be kept up.

TEEING-OFF
Indian golfers reaping rich harvest
K.R. Wadhwaney

INDIA is now a super power in Asian golf circuit. Its professional golfers are ‘talking’ through their clubs. Their progress has been appreciated and contribution of Pawan Munjal recognised. He is the first Indian to become Asian PGA chairman.

Munjal, a quiet worker and quieter sponsor, believes that actions speak louder than words. He speaks only when spoken to but single-handedly he has carried Indian golf to admirable heights. As an Asian PGA chairman, his role will be to cater to the needs of the entire region but his focus will be on India and Indian golfers.

The Indian golfers, already reaping harvest of riches, feel that they will get enhanced opportunities to play abroad. "We have now some one like Munjal to care for us" was the unanimous view of the many recognised golfers, who had assembled to celebrate the ‘rise of Indian golf’.

There were, in the huge assembly of golfers and golf-addicts; some who were vocal in saying that golf was the ‘fastest growing sport in the country’. To place it ahead of cricket was saying a lot. But these were not empty words. There was truth in it and Tiger Sports Marketing’s bigwig Brandon de Souza made the evening to remember with his nippy observations and anecdotes.

The Indian golfing calendar is the strongest in the world of golf. It will be stronger this season and golfers will have more money to pocket. The lifestyle of many hitherto neglected golfers has changed. It will change rapidly in years to come. What is, however, the need of the hour is that new and young faces should demolish the reputation of some who seem to be turning complacent. Complacency kills. This is a virus which must be kept under check.

Jeev Milkha Singh had flown all the way from Japan to participate in the ‘opening of the season’ get together as also see his ailing father, who may undergo a simple surgery. He spoke so did Digvijay Singh. But a few words of wisdom by the ‘vintage wine of Indian golf’ delighted all present. He showed his maturity and experience in whatever few words he spoke.

The season begins with a tournament in Srinagar where playing on the ‘Royal Springs Course’ brings spring into the muscles and refreshing light in the minds of participants. It is a course of world class.

The tournament carries a prize money of Rs 18 lakh. All celebrities were present at the gala evening but not Sita Rawlley, who had started her illustrious career in Srinagar. She would have enriched the evening with her presence.

As the Srinagar tournament ends later this month, the circuit moves to the south, where it will stay for five long weeks. Southern cities are catching up with Delhi, Kolkata and Chandigarh. This is a healthy sign. The more golf spreads, the better for it. There is an urgent need for more Mukesh Kumars, more Vijay Kumars and more Jeevs to rise from different areas. This will be the day for Indian golf to herald its prosperity.

While pros are performing, this cannot be said about women and amateur golfers. They are languishing at the bottom. All three women players played much below their potential and returned pathetic cards in the recently concluded Queen Sirikit Tournament.

India finished a miserable ninth among 10-11 nations. This is one of the worst performances in recent years. If the Indian Golf Union is unable to cater to the needs of the women and amateurs, it should seek support from the Professional Golfers Association of India (PGAI)!

In the end, three cheers for the TSM for making golf a house-hold sport in the country!

Foe’s death sparks screening debate
Dr Ashok Ahuja

THE death of Cameroon footballer Marc-Vivien Foe while playing for his country in the Confederations Cup on June 26 sent shockwaves across the world.

Foe’s death reminded us of the demise of Nigerian international Samuel Okwaraji who collapsed 10 minutes from the end of a World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos in August 1989. He had died due to cardiac arrest. Last October 28-year-old Brazilian striker Marcio Dos Santos died of a heart attack just hours after scoring a goal for Peruvian side Deportivo Wanka.

Statistics show that at least 200 exercise-related deaths have been reported in well conditioned athletes. A US study has revealed that 100 deaths during jogging and in cross country skiing take place every year.

Every year the media carries tragic reports of young, well-trained athletes dying in the middle of an activity or a competition. Sudden death in an athlete is a rare event, but when it happens, the causes are predominantly cardiac in nature. It can also be because of intracranial catastrophe, or a disorder of temperature regulation.

The term sudden cardiac death (SCD) is not very clear. WHO had initially defined sudden death as that occurring within 24 hours of occurrence of illness or injury. The American Heart Association at a later date came out with a more comprehensive definition wherein it classified SCD into two categories — arrhythmic deaths and deaths due to myocardial failure.

Arrhythmic deaths include those in which there is a sudden loss of consciousness and disappearance of pulse without prior failure of circulation. Deaths due to myocardial failure include those in which there is gradual circulatory failure and collapse of circulation before disappearance of pulse.

Athletes who die suddenly have some underlying cardiovascular disease. It is observed that most SCDs occur immediately after exertion or during activity and in majority of cases is not associated with any preliminary symptoms. If an individual has an underlying cardiac disease that significantly reduces myocardial perfusion, the increased myocardial oxygen demand imposed by either static or dynamic exercise can precipitate SCD.

Sportspersons who participate in vigorous sporting activities as cycling, long distance running, cross country, skiing, and rowing, may be at greater risk of SCD during activity than when not exercising.

A matter of great concern today is the increasing incidence of SCD among athletes using performance enhancing medications. The most dangerous among these are the stimulants, which are taken for the improvement of reaction time, stamina, and performance. Caffeine, cocaine and its derivatives, amphetamines, phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, salbutamol, terbutaline, etc. are the most commonly used stimulants. These drugs being CNS stimulants dampen the sensation of fatigue, increase work capacity and give a sense of euphoria and their peripheral effects include vasomotor effects, palpitation, arrythmias, abdominal cramps and vascular collapse. Stimulants can cause increase in the heart rate and blood pressure with lethal outcome, which may not be related to the dose, route of administration, presence or absence of any cardiovascular abnormality, or any form of inheritance. All these substances are under prohibited list of the Olympic Movement’s Anti Doping Code and the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). Routine screening for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemias, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, dietary habits, and substance abuse should be performed in individuals participating in high level competitive sports. When indicated, such screening should be followed by aggressive therapeutic measures. To recover fully from a football match you need 3-4 days and Foe succumbed in the fifth match which he played in the preceding 11 days.

An athlete of international standard like Foe is a gift to a nation, and is born probably once in years. The higher the level of performance, the greater is the stress on the body’s anatomical and physiological potentials. In such conditions, even the minutest of compromise can lead to fatal outcome. Deaths of Flo Joe the greatest US female athlete, Porto player Pascoal popularly known as "Povas", French midfielder Emmanuel Petit’s elder brother Oliver’s death in 1987 and four Romanians who died between 1999 and 2001 remind us once again of the tragedies but Foe’s death in front of his wife and 40,000 competitors in the city of Lyon has sparked another debate for extensive screening of these million dollar worth sportspersons.

Senegal’s Fadiga may also die on
pitch, warns doctor

INTER Milan doctors say Senegal international Khalilou Fadiga suffers from a heart condition that could lead to death under heavy strain, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Friday.

According to heart specialist Bruno Caru’, a consultant at the Serie A club, Fadiga suffers from arrhythmia, an abnormal heartbeat rhythm.

"We carried out a number of medical examinations on the player and discovered the problem during a strain test. His heart condition is highly risky and could lead to a cardiac arrest," Dr Caru’ was quoted as saying.

Fadiga, who made headlines at the 2002 World Cup after allegedly stealing a gold necklace from a South Korean jeweller, underwent medical tests in Milan after being bought from French side Auxerre.

Inter Milan officials are now expected to block his transfer.

The 28-year-old midfielder, however, has rubbished the allegations about his heart condition.

"This is all rubbish. I am fine and I don’t suffer from any heart problem," Fadiga told La Gazzetta.

Fadiga said no problems had emerged when he underwent thorough medical tests in France.

"I am a little stressed and have a small knee problem, but this hasn’t stopped me from playing more than 60 times for Auxerre and Senegal," Fadiga was quoted as saying.

Doctors in Italy remained adamant, however, saying it was possible that the player might have suffered some kind of problem during the past six to 12 months. — DPA

CRICKET
An allrounder with promise
Gopal Sharma

FROM a distance, he does not give the impression of being a top-notch cricketer, least of all a pace bowler. He is not tall nor does he look like a well-built figure, resembling someone like Indian all rounder Ajit Agarkar. But give him a red cherry in the middle of a cricket ground and tell him to have a go at a batsman. Chances are that the batsman will be wobbly and in hurry to be away from the line of the delivery coming quickly at him as he has a nasty bouncer in his armoury good enough to put the best of batsmen look ungainly, if used as a surprise weapon.

It was precisely this quality that coach of the Indian team John Wright noticed and took note of in the Ranji Trophy semifinal match Punjab was playing against Baroda in 2001-02 session. The crucial match was being watched by Chandu Borde, chairman of the selection committee of the BCCI, and a host of other selectors. The stage was perfect for the youngster to perform. And the left-arm pacer was not found wanting. He took seven scalps in the match to announce his arrival at that level with a bang.

In fact, ever since Amit Uniyal made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2001-02, he has been making steady progress as an impressive left-arm seamer and a useful left-handed batsman. Uniyal took six wickets besides notching up a useful half century in his debut Ranji Trophy match against Himachal Pradesh at SAS Nagar. Ironically, the Chandigarh player, despite such a useful contribution, found his name missing from the playing eleven in the next two games. When he got a break against Haryana, the thinly built seamer again showcased his potential taking six wickets.

After the conclusion of the Ranji Trophy, Uniyal visited Kenya along with Punjab squad where he fared well. Uniyal fondly remembers one over from Collins Obuya in which he plundered 29 runs in a one-day match. The leg-spinner, who made a huge impression in last year’s World Cup with his mesmerising spells, was the victim of an unlikely assault as Uniyal clobbered him for three sixes and two fours in the same over. Punjab drew the four-match one-day series, while losing the lone four-day match.

Uniyal played well as an allrounder claiming 23 wickets besides amassing 211 runs at 30.31 apiece in the last year’s Ranji Trophy championship, five-wicket haul against Assam at Guwahati being his best effort.

The 23-year-old Uniyal reserved his best for the Duleep Trophy last year. Playing for Elite ‘B’ captained by Rohan Gavaskar, Uniyal was in the groove straightway, claiming a five-wicket haul in the first match. He repeated the performance in his third match as he took 13 wickets in three outings.

"Dennis Lillee, the legendary fast bowler, was pleased with my bowling run-up and action," Uniyal, who has visited the MRF Pace Bowlers Academy in Chennai twice for a coaching-cum-training camp, claimed.

Uniyal, who follows a tough daily schedule to finetune his skills as well as improve power and stamina, owes his success to SAI coach Sukhwinder Bawa. Uniyal is preparing himself for the gruelling season ahead starting with the KSCA League matches which are slated to start from August 1 in Bangalore. After this, Uniyal intends to play in the prestigious Buchi Babu Cricket Tournament scheduled to start from August 15 in Chennai. Next in line are Moinudullah and Atrey Cricket Tournament. These tournaments, not recognised by the BCCI, attract top players from the country. Played before the start of the BCCI-recognised meets, these tournaments are used by players to warm up and strike form ahead of the national championships.

Bawa disclosed that Uniyal was a top class fielder comparable with the best in the Indian team having the ability to slide at the boundary which was a rarity for an Indian fast bowler.

"Uniyal has the ability to move the ball both ways at a good pace. With a good bouncer as a surprise weapon at his disposal, he can be an effective bowler. He is also a handy batsmen besides being a brilliant fielder," he said. Praising his stamina, Bawa said Uniyal had the ability to bowl 25 overs on the trot. Sounding confident, Bawa said Uniyal should have been there in the India "A" squad currently touring England.

Sounding a word of caution Bawa stressed that it was imperative to groom the talented cricketer carefully as he could well be the answer to India’s long search as an allrounder.

SPORTS MAIL

England owe it to Gough, Anderson

Kudos to England who inflicted defeat on South Africa in the one-day triangular series final at Lord’s. They swept the Proteas, ranked second only to Australia, away in a breathtaking and ruthless manner after bundling them our for 107 in just 32.1 overs. It was the duo of Gough and Anderson who demolished the top half of their rivals. Such was the impact of the English bowling that no batsman of South Africa could reach 20. One batsman followed another in quick succession. Consequently they had to lick the dust. After dismissing them cheaply, England cantered home in 20.2 overs as the task at hand was accomplished without much ado as Vikram Solanki and skipper Vaughan hit 50 and 30 respectively. It was a perfect batting pitch but South Africa failed disastrously to apply themselves and paid the price.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala

First it was winning the NatWest Challenge against Pakistan and now winning the NatWest Trophy. Michael Vaughan has done what Nasser Hussain could not do. Exactly after one year, when India defeated England by scoring more than 300 runs on July 13, 2002, England defeated South Africa on July 12, 2003. In this three-nation championship England defeated South Africa thrice and in the final bundled them out for 107. The South Africans tried to play shots which were not necessary. In just 20.2 overs, England won the final. Flintoff won the ‘man of the series’ award.

PN MENON, Amritsar

Heartiest congratulations to Roger Federer for winning the first Grand Slam of his career. He defeated Mark Philippoussis 7-6, 6-2, 7-6 in the Wimbledon final. Roger Federer became the first ever Swiss player to win a Grand Slam title. Federer deserves a standing ovation for his top-class performance. He outplayed Mark in every department of the game. If Federer continues with his brilliant performance, he can become the world number one tennis player within year.

RAJDEEP SINGH, Phagwara

The Indian hockey team stunned the nation by annexing two consecutive titles where world class teams like Germany, Australia and Spain participated. It was really a praiseworthy performance by our lads. The match which we lost to Germany by 2-3 was well-contested. The credit goes to the team and coach Rajinder Singh. The coach inculcated the ‘do-or-die’ spirit in the young lads. I hope the team continues to do well and maintain the tempo in the Champions Trophy and the Athens Olympics next year.

BANSI RAM, Chakhajipur

It was matter of immense satisfaction that the Indian hockey team which was in a poor shape in the past two decades, is now in marvellous form. They won titles in Australia and Hamburg. All hockey fans are overjoyed. However, it was shocking to know how the team was treated on arrival back home. The IHF will have to handle them more professionally if it expects them to play like world champions. There should be no discrimination between hockey and cricket players.

SUBHASH C. TANEJA, Rohtak