Fantastic Five
While 2010 threw up its poster boys and girls, here are some faces from Indian sports to watch out for in 2011, writes Vaibhav Sharma

Sanam Singh, tennis player

WHEN Somdev Devvarman and Sanam Singh won the gold at the 2010 Asian Games, it was a big moment for Indian tennis, and a really big moment for Chandigarh boy Sanam. He had started playing tennis at the ripe age of eight, and now at 22, it is time for his 14 years of hard work to finally bear some fruit. It has been quite a journey for the young lad and he has played all the four Grand Slams at the junior level. Now, it is time for the seniors to make way for him.

Traditionally, Indians have not been able to create, or recreate their prowess in doubles into the singles game. And that is what the entire world watches. Sanam, who like the new breed of players, is a fitness junkie. He realises that the difference between you and your opponent might just be about who can go for the ball at the extreme end of the court. He has also made it categorically clear that anything won in doubles is just bonus, and his focus will now be on the singles game.

Now, as hopes from Somdev, who is already making some headway in singles, gather momentum, Sanam has the time, and the ability to create his own mark. He plays most of his game in Virginia, but his desire to be an ‘Indian’ tennis star can see him breaching a few barriers this year. He also might just have an ace or two up his sleeve, which ensures that we get to cheer more than just a doubles game.

Cheteshwar Pujara, cricketer

THIS is the year of the cricket World Cup, and while Rajkot boy Cheteshwar Pujara might or might not make it to the team, one thing is clear. He has arrived on the big stage. One of the most prolific scorers in domestic cricket over the past two seasons, Pujara has shown enough grit in the few opportunities he got to play in the longer version. He shows not only promise with the bat, but also with the mind, which he keeps completely uncomplicated at all times. The 22-year-old was part of the team that won the Durban Test and although his contributing numbers might not make headlines, the way he hung out during a crucial passage of play was definitely commendable.

The Indian middle order will soon have spots up for grabs, as the likes of Rahul Dravid, V. V. S. Laxman and Little Master Sachin Tendulkar prepare to take their final bow. And with the likes of Suresh Raina, and out-of-favour Yuvraj Singh not making the most of their chances, Pujara has every opportunity to make one of those spots his own. He can bat with flair, yet be controlled. He rarely looks dominated by the bowling, and keeps a positive attitude. Well, he might be pushing into the team at someone’s loss, but it sure could be Team India’s gain!

Dipika Pallikal, squash player

Dipika is Indian squash’s new hope. Her full name is Dipika Rebecca Pallikal, and at age 19, this talented girl from Chennai is fast emerging as a superstar.

Dipika has been steadily gaining points in the junior circuit and she recently won the Asian junior championship in Singapore.

She has the rare distinction of being the first Indian squash player to be ranked No. 1 in the European and Asian Squash Ranking (under-15 category).

She played her first international tournament in London when she was in sixth grade, and till date, Dipika has won the German Open, Dutch Open, French Open, Australian Open, and Scottish Open on the European Junior Squash Circuit.

Dipika has been sponsored by the L.N. Mittal Trust, which also supports many other budding sportspersons. Dipika trains at the ICL-TNSRA Academy at Chennai under Cyrus Poncha and Major (retd) S. Maniam.

She is also into modelling and has signed a contract with Globus Ltd. She appeared in an ad for the Sri Lankan company Ole (a branch of Coca Cola), which was splashed all over Sri Lanka a few months ago.

She is currently training in Egypt and is grooming herself to become the best squash player in the country.

After missing the Commonwealth Games due to injury, where much was expected from her, she must be raring to go and prove her mettle in 2011. This is definitely one beauty with brawn.

Jeetinder Kumar, boxer

ONE of the most promising boxing talents in India, an Olympic quarterfinalist at 20, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist at 18, Jeetinder Kumar is a man in a rush. He was always tagged as the next big thing in Indian boxing, but he has, in a very short span, seen how things turn around. He has the skill, the grit and the technique to be at the top, but injuries have somewhat shot up at the wrong times for Jeetinder. Having missed much of the action last year due to injury, Jeetinder is not one to back off. He is the same guy who had gone into an Olympics quarter-final with 12 stitches to his jaw. With the points system undergoing a change from this year, and the qualification process for the London Olympics getting under way as well, Jeetinder will be ready to pull up his socks and deliver some defining blows.

He has been training constantly at the NIS Centre in Patiala, and under the guidance of his coaches and the company of India’s best boxers, Jeetinder has been trying hard to retain full fitness. With age on his side, the journey for the smiling warrior is just getting under way. Watch out for this man, and all of his ‘punch’ lines this year.

Gurbaj Singh, hockey player

Gurbaj is fast emerging as the hottest Indian player on the hockey field. His movement with the ball is incisive and he loves running down the wing to open spaces in the opposition defence. He proved it during the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the Azlan Shah Cup, even coming up with a goal of his own against Pakistan in Malaysia. Though it was only his second goal, the manner in which he scored it earned him high acclaim.

Gurbaj is a gifted player, who can change the course of any match on his day. His speed and agility mean he is hard to suppress and can be the perfect man to lead a counter-attack. He was a product of the now defunct Kirloskar Hockey Academy in Jalandhar.

He usually plays at right half and by nature sets up goals for others with clever run downs and precise crosses. He made his senior international debut at the Doha Asian Games and since then has been a fixture in the all-India’s assignments. He won a bronze (2007) and silver (2008) in the Azlan Shah Cup and gold at the 2007 Asia Cup. Under his captaincy India retained the Junior Asia Cup in Hyderabad (India) in 2008. Since then, he has been moved to senior side, and is a permanent right half there.

Fitness mantra
FIT START to the year
Nancy Sahni

It’s again that time of the year when we tend to make so many resolutions. The health-conscious people, who love their body more than anything else (after all, some things can’t be bought, for every thing else, there is a master card!), would invest their precious first month of the year in chalking out health plans. But firstly, along with the planning, implementation is very important. Secondly, the focus should be more on a healthy body inside out. If you are healthy from inside, it’s definitely going to be visible outside in the form of a glowing skin, healthy hair, fit body and a smile to light up your face. Thirdly, the plans should be such that you can stick to them through out the year. So let’s begin.

INCREASE food AWARENESS

Make an effort to be aware about food nutrients (certain vitamins, minerals like calcium and iron, good and bad fats etc) and their importance in your diet and what their deficiencies can deprive your body of. Knowing about the common health problems, their symptoms and preventive techniques can go a long way in prevention of many diseases. Even awareness about correct body postures of sitting and standing can prevent many problems that may require a physiotherapist later on.

HAVE A HEALTHY HEART

It keeps us going, so we should keep it moving smoothly. For this, observe the following steps:

Control your weight first: If this gets under control, your blood pressure and blood sugar automatically get controlled and believe me, your heart loves a normal blood pressure as it then doesn’t have to work overtime to manage it.

Quit smoking: No, there is no in between line in this, you have to QUIT IT. Rather, reduce or smoke occasionally.

Limit sodium: If you have high blood pressure, so check food labels for the amount of sodium even if they are sweet in taste, as sodium may be used as a preservative. One level teaspoon of salt or sodium chloride (5 g salt) has 2 g sodium in it.

Include a handful of nuts and spoonful of alsi seeds (flax seeds) as these contain heart friendly fats and don’t have cholesterol.

Reduce stress: Control your temper, remember it is a very precious thing, don’t lose it! If you lose it, you may have host of ailments from blood pressure to migraines, depression, poor digestion, weakened immune system and even heart disease. Well, now you would say it’s easier said than done, but think of every day as last day of life and try to forgive and forget as we can’t take anything along when we die, every thing is going to remain here only, so why bother, but the way we die may depend on us if we choose any lifestyle disease just because we don’t have control on our emotions! No, not worth it! So try and be calm and enjoy life. Take it as it comes. You may consider learning meditation and breathing techniques or any thing else, which you think can work as a stress buster for you.

GET YOUR DOSE OF VITAMIN D

Do you know that more than half of urban Indians working in corporate are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. Yes, it’s true. Despite the fact that India is having sunny days nine months out of 12, still this is happening because everybody is working so hard that nobody has time for the sun. Seriously, the corporate jobs start at or before sunrise and finish after sunset .To top it all, we are all so comfortable in our AC homes, cars and offices. So now, set your levels right as your aching bones might be in need of Vitamin D! Go enjoy the sun.

BE SENSIBLE about LOSing WEIGHT

For people who want to lose weight, please don’t go in for fancy diet plans. Lay bets, you’ll be gainers in the end, but in your weight, of course your purse will lose some of it’s weight in following these fancy diets. Follow a simple rule of being in balance. Be regular in brisk walks/yoga/floor exercises as you regular are in brushing your teeth daily! Losing 2-3 kg/month is good enough. Eat everything, but in moderation (you should check this with a good dietitian), remember you are your best judge and you know it where and when you are wrong. Fasting and feasting, both is injurious to health. Priortise every thing in life and I am sure health comes first coz even a minor ailment can do your life topsy-turvy.

A colourful plate is healthy (green, orange, yellow, red, white`85) and this is possible only if you include all food groups like cereals, pulses, milk and it’s products, green leafy vegetables, other seasonal vegetables and fruits. Educate your kids regarding this and be a role model for them as almost all life style ailments begin with a faulty diet (diabetes, hypertension, some types of cancers, gout, early onset of arthritis etc) and the foundation for these is laid in childhood.

At the end of the day, just give a thought on what you missed today. I am sure fruit comes first in the ‘missed’ list followed by vegetables! So, try and maintain a mind diary, which nudges you whenever you are eating wrong and in a way abusing your body, which is the most precious gift of God.

The writer is a dietician, Department of Dietetics, PGI