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| SPORTS TRIBUNE |
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Low-key athletics season Nidani centre a boon for wrestlers |
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Low-key athletics season IN the not too distant past the winter months, starting from October, would have been the beginning of the athletics season for India. Now things have changed with the federation altering its season to keep up with the international calendar. Thus it is resting time for competitive athletics in this country with only the top athletes going into camps for preparation exercise with the SAF Games scheduled to be held in Pakistan early next year as the goal. A look back at the year's achievements reveal that with the exception of Anju George’s bronze medal in the World Championships at Paris, the country’s athletics has generally bathed in mediocrity. The reason for this not so exciting performance level could be attributed to a lack of incentive or to put it better the absence of a major international event which always acts as a spur. There was of course the World Championships in Paris but that was meant for only a handful of athletes. The Asian Championships in Manila was of course a great opportunity but for one reason or the other, not all the top guns were available and those that did make the trip were not exactly at the top performance level. The Manila edition of the Asian Championships was one of the poorest for India in terms of medals. The country went without a gold medal. But then Manila only reflected the general trend in this year’s domestic circuit. Frankly this was a very forgettable year for domestic athletics. The Afro Asian Games in Hyderabad provided the biggest opportunity for Indian athletes to show their mettle. Not that they could have done wonders but certainly there was an incentive for better performances in the company of some really fine athletes from Africa. The Indians did pick up medals, a few gold too, but all in the field events with one from J.J. Shobha who claimed the top spot in the collective field-track exercise of heptathlon. The Games which could best be described as a collection of talent from developing countries provided an insight into where India really stands in the track events. Though most of the athletes were not champion material from their respective continent-country, the standard in some of the track events was something outstanding, certainly far too good for Indian athletes. It was in fact a learning experience for Indian athletes. Indian medals in field events should not come as a surprise. Though none of the winners improved upon their own personal best achievements, their success underscored once again the tremendous improvement by our throwers and jumpers (women) in recent years. And what is more important is that the throwers, Shakti Singh, Anil Kumar, and Neelam J. Singh were not very far off from their personal best. That itself was an indication of a certain attempt at consistency. The little bit of success in the Afro-Asian Games should help to boost Indian hopes for the coming year. India is bound to do well, in fact very well in the track and field events of the SAF Games, but it is not the medals which will be important. What will count is the personal improvement in performance. This has been a year without records at the national level. One hopes next year will be different. It should be too. It is the year of the Olympics and all the top athletes would be certainties to make the trip. And to make it to Athens they will all have to attain the qualifying mark. That itself is a big incentive. |
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Nidani centre a boon for wrestlers NIDANI in Haryana has become synonymous with wrestling. Nidani, a sleepy hamlet far removed from the hustle and bustle of the modern-day life in Jind district, has carved out a niche for itself as a major sports promotion centre in the region where sportspersons, particularly wrestlers, are groomed. After getting their basics right here, they have done well and won recognition for not only Nidani but for the country at various international championships. Chaudhary Bharat Singh Memorial Education Society at Nidani is fully devoted to the promotion of sports among the weaker section of society. Established in 1989, it has rich infrastructure like the all-weather indoor hall for wrestling with imported mats, an eight-lane standard athletics track, hockey ground, a volleyball court and two basketball courts for use by the budding players. A visit to the centre is enough to convince one that the youngsters have only one thing to worry after the school hours i.e. to concentrate on sports. The morning session is devoted to stretching, running and warming up, while the evening session is meant exclusively for practice under the supervision of coaches. The idea, as explained, behind the setting up of the academy away from a city was to ensure that there were no distractions for the players who are able to pursue their craft in congenial atmosphere with single-minded zeal. There are board and lodging facilities for the youngsters at a place where sports is compulsory. Specialised coaching in wrestling, volleyball, athletics, handball, kabaddi and basketball is provided to them free of cost. And the focus is entirely on the underprivileged section of the society for whom it is otherwise virtually impossible to have access to such sports facilities. Mrs Krishna Malik, wife of Mr M S Malik, Director-General of Police, Haryana, a keen wrestling enthusiast and promoter, keeps a tab on the activities and requirement of the centre. To broadbase its activities and bring poor girls in its ambit, Bhai Surender Malik Memorial Girls School was established in 1995 after Surender, son of Mr Malik lost his life in a tragic car accident at 23. Both the institutions have been set up in an area nearing 20 acres of land and are engaged in providing education up to ten plus 2 level to the youngsters besides providing sports coaching to them. As many as 13 coaches in hockey, basketball, volleyball, athletics, kabaddi and wrestling are there to iron out the deficiencies in techniques of budding sportspersons. While six coaches are there only for wrestling, the rest impart coaching in other disciplines. Wrestling nurseries comprising 37 boys and 13 girls are been run here by the Haryana Sports Department. Free coaching and daily diet money worth Rs 50 is provided to every player of the nurseries. Separate hostel facilities are there for boys and girls. At least 25 wrestlers after getting training at the centre have won medals in various international meets. As many as 100 medals have been won by the players at the national level, while so many of them have excelled at the state level. Narender won laurels for the country when he won gold in Commonwealth Championship in Melbourne in 1995. He had earlier won gold in Asian Cadet Championship held in New Delhi in 1989 and a bronze in Junior world wrestling championship in the USA in 1992. Satbir clinched a silver in world cadet wrestling championship in June 1994, while Shamsher Singh also won a bronze in the same meet. Sakhar, another wrestler, won a gold in SAFF wrestling championship held in Chennai in 1995. Besides, the wrestlers like Dharampal, Satish Kumar Sombir, Sudesh Kumari and others have won medals in different international or Asian championships. Playing kit is provided to trainees every year. Nidani already has hosted three national championships, last being held in 2001, where top wrestlers of the country participated. In order to further upgrade the facilities an indoor stadium hall of international standard is being set up adjoining Chaudhary Bharat Singh Memorial Education Society at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore. A grant of Rs 60 lakh has already been sanctioned by the Central government. The foundation stone of the hall was laid by Mr M S Malik on November 9. When completed the indoor hall would have facilities like separate gymnasium for boys and girls, sauna, kitchen, lounge, pantry, a store and a commentary box. A host of sportspersons having been groomed here have found jobs in organisations like CRPF, Punjab Police, BSF and the Railways. A better future looks likely in store for sportspersons once the top-notch indoor hall is completed. |
| HOME PAGE | Three cheers to hockey team THE victory of the Indian men’s hockey team over Pakistan in a gruelling semifinal and subsequently in the final of the Afro-Asian Games was a thrilling experience. The crowd of Gachibowli was simply enjoying the scintillating performance of our hockey warriors. Passions were sky-high and Mr Gill’s squad were in no mood to disappoint the nation. In the semifinals, until half time it was a roller-coaster ride for both the teams. Pakistan surged ahead with a 2-1 margin but the second half truly belonged to India. All the credit goes to the Indian team in general. In the final which India won 3-1, India surged ahead when Arjun Halappa converted a penalty stroke. Gagan Ajit gave India the third goal with a meticulous hit enabling India to clinch the gold. Three cheers to our team for the splendid performance. Prof SUDHIR GHAI,
Ludhiana
II The victory of the Indian hockey team over arch rivals Pakistan in the Afro-Asian Games has proved beyond doubt that India are the best in Asia. It also proved that the Indian win in the Asia Cup earlier against Pakistan was no fluke. The continuous wins have given immense confidence to the players. The hits of Gagan were really unforgettable. People have full faith in the team management and coach. Let there be no politics in the game henceforth. VIPUL KANSAL,
Israna
III Kudos to India who majestically clinched the gold in men’s hockey in the first Afro-Asian Games. They trounced their traditional rivals Pakistan 3-1 in a pulsating final which had all the ingredients of romance and excitement. Spearheaded by Gagan Ajit, the Indians subdued their opponents in style. India routed them 4-2 in the Asia Cup, outclassed them by a similar margin in a league match of the Afro-Asian games and overwhelmed them 3-1 in the final to annex the title. Pakistan exerted tremendous pressure over India in the second half by earning as many as 10 penalty corners but the Indian defence manned by the dependable Dilip Tirkey, withstood the pressure. India surely deserved the win. TARSEM S BUMRAH,
Batala
IV The first Afro-Asian Games ended on November 1 and India’s performance was a good sign for the future. Needless to say they were superb in every field but the hockey and tennis competitions provided immense pleasure. The victory over arch rivals Pakistan in hockey filled every Indian’s heart with pride. D B SHARMA,
Nilokheri |
