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| SPORTS TRIBUNE | Saturday, October 18, 2003, Chandigarh, India |
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First Afro-Asian Games 2003
After false starts,
the show is on Eves’ hockey team confident
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First Afro-Asian Games 2003
The first Afro-Asian Games being held at Hyderabad
from October 24 to November 1 will not only showcase the talent of Asian
and African continents but will also provide an opportunity to the
greenhorns to cement their slots in their respective national sides for
bigger and tougher engagements ahead. Though competition is restricted
to select disciplines like athletics, boxing, football, hockey (men and
women), shooting, swimming, tennis and weightlifting, men’s hockey
and football are expected to be big hits due to the participation of
countries like Pakistan and Cameroon in the two disciplines,
respectively. The inaugural edition of the games, being viewed as a
precursor to more prestigious meets in the future, are expected to
enhance India’s image not only as a sports-loving nation but also as
organisers. Successful and trouble-free conduct of the games will open
new vistas for Indian sports providing a boost to India’s bid for the
2010 Commonwealth Games.. With memories of the historic Asia Cup title
win against Pakistan at Kuala Lumpur still fresh in their minds, the
Indians will be keenly looking forward to another memorable outing at
Hyderabad. With as many as eight countries scheduled to take part in
men’s hockey, semifinal berths both for India and Pakistan appear
certain. The eight participants have been placed in two pools. While
pool ‘A’ comprises Ghana, Korea, Malaysia and South Africa, pool
‘B’ includes hosts India, Pakistan, Egypt and Zimbabwe. Both India
and Pakistan have rested some of their key players in view of important
forthcoming engagements. The Indian team will be without star forwards
Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon, and midfielder Baljit Saini though
efforts to rope in Pillay were continuing. Indian coach Rajinder Singh
views the Games as an opportunity to test new faces like Len Aiyappa,
Prabodh Tirkey, Bharat Chhetri and Arjun Halappa and he appears to be on
the constant lookout for Jugraj’s replacement in view of the Olympic
qualifiers in Madrid next March. Ayappa was the top scorer for Anderson
Club in the Malaysian league. Halappa last played in the Champions
Trophy at Cologne last year. Pakistan, who have recently hired Dutch
coach Roelant Oltmans, will also be without four of their star players,
including penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas, goalkeeper Ahmed Alam,
forward Shabbir Hussain and centre-forward Kashif Jawwad. Tariq Imran
has come in place of Sohail Abbas, while goalkeeper Mohammed Qasim will
be back after the Azlan Shah Cup in March last replacing Ahmed Alam.
Two youngsters who will be keenly watched are junior team skipper
Tariq Aziz and dashing forward Akhtar Ali, who will make his
international debut. The much awaited India-Pakistan clash is billed for
October 27 at 8 pm. The competition in women’s hockey may not be
tough after the withdrawal of Busan Asian Games gold medallists China
and powerful Japan. South Korea, too, are sending their ‘B’ team.
While Kazakhstan will replace Japan, no Asian country has been found to
replace China. The four African participants are Kenya, Namibia, South
Africa and Zimbabwe. India open their campaign against South Africa on
October 23. In football, India are pitted against formidable opponents
like Cameroon, Uzbekistann, Malaysia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and
Iran. Cameroon and Iran were title winners at the Sydney Olympics and
the Busan Asian Games, respectively. Indian coach Stephen Constantine,
with little hope of making it to the title round, is nevertheless
optimistic of an inspired showing by his team. The Indians have already
acquired the temperament required for top class competition after a
brief tour to Thailand where they played two friendlies on October 14
and 16. The first match against Thaliand’s under-23 team was drawn
while the second ended in a 0-2 defeat. Injuries to key players like
Alvito d’Cunha, Deepak Mondal, Debjit Ghosh, Samir Naik and Vinu Jose
is a worrying factor but Baichung Bhutia, the only Indian to have played
in the English league, along with medio Joe Paul Ancheri and IM Vijayan
are expected to play a leading role in India’s campaign at
Hyderabad. In shooting, Anjali Bhagwat, Chandigarh’s Abhinav Bindra
and Rajyavardhan Singh, who have already qualified for the Olympics,
will lead the Indian challenge. Anjali, aged 34, won the 10m air rifle
gold at the World Cup final in Milan earlier this month with a score of
502.4 points. She is likely to face China’s Gao Jing and Korea’s
Park Un Kyong. Twentyone-year-old Abhinav Bindra, who finished last
among 10 contestants in the 10 metre air rifle finals at the Milan World
Cup with 590 points, will also be eager to wipe out bitter memories. He
may face tough competition from China’s Cai Yalin, a member of the
gold medal winning team in the Asian Games, and Egypt’s Ismail
Mohammed. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, ranked fourth in the world in the
double trap event, will be in the vanguard in the clay target events.
Ace shooter Jaspal Rana will also seek to regain his winning touch in
the 25 metre centrefire pistol and 25 metre standard pistol events. The
Indian swimmers may find the going tough against strong contenders
China, Korea, Japan, and South Africa. However, with the focus more on
securing berths in the Athens Olympics next year, the Indian swimmers
will be more than satisfied after attaining Olympic qualifying norms
though a medal, which has always remained elusive at the Asian level,
will be a bonus. Shikha Tandon, Akbar Ali Mir, Richa Mishra, and Nisha
Millet will spearhead the Indian challenge in the pool. Athletes from
the African nations will be among the favourites in track and field
events. On conclusion of the African Games at Abuja, Nigeria, they have
Hyderabad as their next destination. India’s star weightlifter Karnam
Malleswari will be missed as she is scheduled to compete in the World
Championship to secure a berth in the Olympics. In tennis, India’s
top players, including Mahesh Bhupathi, Prakash Amritraj, and Sania
Mirza will be seen in action with Leander Paes performing the role of a
cheer leader. Kolkata’s Mohammed Ali Qamar, hero at the Asian Games,
is once again expected to be in the limelight in boxing.
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Impressive logo, mascot The logo of the first Afro-Asian Games shows the world famous Charminar, standing in all its beauty, depicting the cultural richness and traditional values of the modern and vibrant city of Hyderabad. Also known as the Oriental Arc de Triomphe, the Charminar built between 1591 and 1612 by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah as a showpiece in the heart of the city, has become a symbol of dynamism and courage —- the qualities which will be displayed by athletes from the two continents during the games. The logo captures the energy, lustre and spirit of this great sporting event, and also of the host city, Hyderabad, the Mecca of sports lovers in India. ‘Sheroo’ is the mascot for the Afro-Asian Games. As many as 2040 sportspersons from different Asian and African countries and 1565 sports officials are expected to participate in the Games.—TNS |
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After false starts, the show is on The idea to hold combined sports competitions of Asia and Africa was mooted in April, 1983 and New Delhi was proposed as the venue. However, for certain reasons the venue was shifted to Kuwait and the games were proposed to be held in 1985. Political instability once again led to the cancellation and it was in 1989 that the proposal again resurfaced with New Delhi again being chosen as the venue for the games which were then scheduled for 1991. The plans again went awry only to be brought back to life once again in 1999 when Pune and then New Delhi were proposed as venues. This time they were not cancelled but postponed till November, 2001. However, slow preparations followed by the terrorist attacks in the USA led to indefinite postponement again. In May 2002, India proposed to hold the first Afro-Asian Games at Hyderabad since facilities had undergone upgradation prior to the 32nd National Games. The idea was accepted and plans put into action by the Andhra Pradesh Government under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.—TNS
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Eves’ hockey team confident Bangalore: India’s women’s hockey coach M KKaushik today exuded confidence that his team was capable of winning a medal in the inaugural Afro-Asian Games starting in Hyderabad from October 24 against the likes of South Africa, China and Korea. “We are expecting a medal”, Kaushik told PTI here today as the team probables continued with rigorous practice sessions at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre. They are putting in a lot of hard-work at the camp, which began on September 7, he said. Kaushik said the preparations for the intercontinental games were going on fine, adding, Indian team would do its best and seek to play to its potential. But, he admitted that the services of senior players like Sita Gussain, Pritam Siwach, Manjinder Kaur, goal-keeper Tingolima, Mamata Kharab, Saba Anjum and Neha Singh, who were not participating in the mega event for one reason or the other, would definitely be missed. India is grouped with South Africa, Kazakhstan and Ghana while the other pool has China, Korea, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Stong teams from Singapore and Japan were earlier expected to come to Hyderabad but were not doing so. Meanwhile, delay in laying of the artificial turf at the venue in Hyderabad has upset Indian team’s preparations. The team is led by Railways’ Suraj Lata
Devi.—PTI
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Disciplines, venues Athletics:
GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Gachibowli (capacity 30,000). Boxing:
Indoor Stadium, GMC Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli (capacity 4,000, Football: LB Stadium Hyderabad, GMC Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli. Hockey: Hockey Stadium, Gachibowli. Shooting:
Shooting Range, Central University, Hyderabad. Swimming: Aquatics Complex, Gachibowli (capacity 2,000) Tennis:
SAAP Tennis Complex, Fateh Maidan, Hyderabad (capacity 4,000) Weightlifting:
KV Bhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium, Yousufguda (capacity
2,000).—TNS
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Theme song “Come together to celebrate Afro-Asian Games” is the theme song of the first Afro-Asian Games being organized at Hyderabad from October 24. The lyrics of the song have penned by famous lyricist Javed Akhtar and it reflects the joyous mood of children of the Asian and African continents. The song will be played during the opening and closing ceremony scheduled to be held at the GMC Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli, which with its breathtaking landscape and obstruction-free viewing has drawn appreciation from visiting dignitaries. A music video with the theme song has already been
released.—TNS
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4 of Rana family for Games
Dehra Dun: Ace shooter Jaspal Rana, his sister Sushma Rana, father Narayan Singh Rana and brother Subhash Rana, will all participate in the Afro Asian games to be held at Hyderabad from October 24 to November 1
next. The cost of the Games would be around Rs 103
crore.—UNI
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