Dishonoured promises
Ramu Sharma
Recent developments as projected in the Anju George case has once again highlighted the vast difference between the many promises of big money that is made at the government-level and the times they are actually honoured.

Nayeemuddin, always a team man
Amardeep Bhattal
Syed Nayeemuddin, one of India's most accomplished football defenders, whose skill and brilliance won him the captain's tag in the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games, is a product of Hyderabad, the city with a rich soccer tradition which also produced eminent players like Olympian Peter Thangaraj, Mohammed Habib, and Mohammed Akbar.

Triumph of the indomitable spirit
K.R. Wadhwaney
She walks from the dressing room to the deck and on to her allotted starting block as if she is a normal competitor. As other competitors are hopping about, she removes her artificial leg and gown before getting try the start. Her plunge is as fast as that of her rivals while her turns are also without any jerk.

Dishonoured promises
Ramu Sharma

Recent developments as projected in the Anju George case has once again highlighted the vast difference between the many promises of big money that is made at the government-level and the times they are actually honoured. A bronze medal winner in the women’s long jump event at the World Athletics Championship Anju George has been a prominent victim of government dithering.

When this athlete won the bronze medal in the Manchester Commonwealth Games in July 2002, the central government reportedly was quick to announce a cash incentive of Rs 10 lakh. Though over a year has passed Anju is said to have received just Rs 2 lakh.

Then came another promise after she won the gold medal at the Busan Asian Games later in the year. The government again showed its appreciation and announced a reward Rs 20 Lakh as bonus. Of that amount the athlete is reported to have received only Rs 5 lakh.

Anju of course has been compensated since the publication of her plight in a major newspaper. The relief came not from the government but from Sobha Developers in Bangalore who have offered her Rs 30 lakh for one year with the hope that she wins a medal at the Olympics.

The athlete has been squared off as far as her expenses for training abroad and other related matters have been taken care of. But what happens to the money promised by the government? More importantly why were such big amounts promised on behalf of the government when there were no follow-up steps taken.?

This is not the first time that ministers dealing with sports on behalf of the Central Government have promised the world only to keep recipients guessing as to when they would actually have the cash in hand. The obvious reason for government not always being in a position to honour the minister’s word is perhaps lack of cash or maybe no such provisions have been made in the Budget for incentive payments for performance on the field of sport. Whatever the reasons it does not absolve the government from being a guilty party.

The case of Anju George has received publicity because she has become a celebrity athlete. But there must be many more such cases where only part payment has been made of the amount promised and the concerned medal winners are waiting hopefully. It is time that the government framed a policy decision to prevent such disappointments in future.

And also in future there must be a policy decision to ensure that ministers dealing with sport do not get carried away by the euphoria generated after a medal winning performance and announce cash incentives. These should be done only after consultation with the concerned federations to assess the actual worth of the performance.

One remembers in this case Uma Bharti’s largesse to medal winning weightlifters in the Commonwealth Games. She did not know that the standard in this particular discipline was rather mediocre and that there were three medals per weight class as against the one in other international meets. But then this sort of a thing will continue to happen as long as a politician is given charge of sports. 

Nayeemuddin, always a team man
Amardeep Bhattal

Syed Nayeemuddin, one of India's most accomplished football defenders, whose skill and brilliance won him the captain's tag in the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games, is a product of Hyderabad, the city with a rich soccer tradition which also produced eminent players like Olympian Peter Thangaraj, Mohammed Habib, and Mohammed Akbar. Having represented India in the prestigious Merdeka Cup and Asian Games, and being picked in the Asian All-Star team, Nayeemuddin went on to play for Kolkata's East Bengal club where he remained till the end of his playing career. He also played for Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting for a few years after honing his skill under the legendary Rahim at Hyderabad where he initially played for Hyderabad Police. When an injury terminated his playing career, Nayeemuddin took to coaching. From 1990 to 1995 he guided Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to 25 titles and also inspired Bengal's title wins in the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy. Nayeemuddin, more of a perfectionist, took degrees and coaching diplomas from Germany, Hungary, England, and Brazil. He firmly believes that man lives to learn. In 2001, he attended a UEFA-sponsored course in Kuala Lumpur and Amsterdam.

From 1987 to 1989 he was the national coach in the Jawaharlal Nehru Gold Cup, SAF Games at Kolkata where India won the gold, and the Asia Cup. However, it was during his second coaching stint that he blossomed in the nineties.

During the inaugural Afro-Asian Games at Hyderabad, Nayeemuddin publicly appreciated the efforts to host the Games, especially the football competition. " I am grateful to the IOA, Mr Chandrababu Naidu, and the Union Government for organising the Games. At least India is now on the world map in football. The ball has started rolling. It should have happened much earlier. India can now take on the world's best with courage. We also have many talented players. Baichung Bhutia was the top scorer in the ASEAN Club Championship at Jakarta."

Nayeemuddin always insists that players should only take mineral water, take a lot of vitamins, and stresses on nutrition. Due to his emphasis on good living conditions for players, he was branded as an expensive coach but the interests of his players is always uppermost in his mind. He doesn't mind spending money from his pocket to buy dry fruit and chicken after training sessions. "I need money for my team but I am not a beggar. I fight for my players," he says. The former national coach also favours weekly payment of wages to top players as is the practice in England.

In 1997, Syed Nayeemuddin was appointed national coach until the conclusion of the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games and the Indian team dominated in regional championships, including SAFF Championship at Kathmandu, Nehru Cup at Kochi, and later reached the last eight in the Asian Games.

Nayeemuddin is totally opposed to the concept of hiring foreign coaches for national teams. "Look at Rajinder Singh. Hasn't he produced results in hockey? An Indian can die for his country; a foreigner will not."

Triumph of the indomitable spirit
K.R. Wadhwaney

Natalie Dutoit of South Africa with only one leg was the cynosure of all eyes in the swimming competition of the Afro-Asian Games at Hyderabad

She walks from the dressing room to the deck and on to her allotted starting block as if she is a normal competitor. As other competitors are hopping about, she removes her artificial leg and gown before getting try the start. Her plunge is as fast as that of her rivals while her turns are also without any jerk. She gets all her propelling from her arm-pull. She keeps pace with her rivals.

This disabled swimmer, Natalie Dutoit (South Africa), was the cynosure of all eyes as she bagged a silver medal in the 800 metres freestyle and a bronze in the 400 metres freestyle in the inaugural Afro-Asian Games at Hyderabad’s magnificent swimming complex in October this year.

Natalie was a delight to watch as she swam 800 metres strongly. She led the field until the 15th lap and raised visions of the gold medal. Then Seychelles’s Shrone Austin quickened the pace. Shrone forged ahead although Natalie also tried her best. It was a race of the races. Shrone finished in 9:16.46, while Natalie’s timing was 9:17.92.

In the 400 metres, Natalie was placed second until the final lap. Then she was overtaken by India’s Nisha Millet. To Nisha’s 4:31.33, Natalie’s timing was 4:32.63. Hua Chen (China) won the gold. When the race ended, Nisha was the first to shake hands with Natalie, who had become a darling of spectators. “I find myself very comfortable here as every one is so friendly”, said Natalie.

Declared sportsperson at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, Natalie is endeavouring to qualify for the Athens Olympic Games. “I have changed my technique and style and am getting an enormous push from my arm-pull”, said Natalie. She is already in the ‘Hall of Fame’ and if she qualifies for the Athens Games, it would be a tremendous achievement. Whether she qualifies or not, she deserves world’s ‘valour and grit’ medal.

Only 17, Natalie lost her leg in a road accident. She was then an outstanding individual medley swimmer. Following loss of leg, she concentrated on free style events. The longer the distance, the more comfortable she feels because she does not lose any time in starting plunge or turns.

A role-model in her country, South Africa, where sportspersons are respected and adored, Natalie says she hates sympathy. She says life is nothing but a saga of fight and more fight. “It is the vicious world where only the fittest can survive”, she adds. She seems to have taken a leaf out of the illustrious pilot, Douglas Bader who, even after losing his two legs, caused havoc with enemy country during World War II. Natalie’s role model, however, is cyclist Lance Armstrong who, despite being cancer afflicted, has conquered many mountains.

From Burqa to salwar-kameez to shorts to swimming costume. This is a tremendous transformation for Pakistani women, who were seen in action at Hyderabad. Judging from their technique and style, one felt that they had taken to aquatics seriously. Observers were of the view that Pakistan women might catch up with Indians, if the Swimming Federation of India continue to stay in deep slumber.

“We have just made an entry into aquatics”, said Pakistan official, Veena Masud, adding: “We will be delighted to take part in any meet in Delhi, if invited.”

Now since flights between the two countries have started, there is every possibility of Pakistan women being seen in action at Talkatora on in Punjab.

Kudos to Saurav’s team for Adelaide victory

Congratulations to Saurav Ganguly and his boys on India’s victory over Australia in the second cricket Test at Adelaide. December 16, 2003 will go down as a red letter day in the annals of sports when David slew Goliath in his own backyard.