Football needs ‘legalised betting’
By Amardeep Bhattal
Among the top Indian footballers who carved out a niche for themselves on the basis of individual brilliance in the seventies was a tall, medium complexioned Bengali player, Subhas Bhowmick, who as a right winger, not only mesmerised the crowds in Calcutta but also in other parts of the country and abroad.

TEEING OFF DDA venue to promote golf by K. R. Wadhwaney The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been a much-maligned body for constructing poor quality of houses, but its contribution for promoting sports, particularly golf, has been remarkable.

Pakistan top in one-dayers
By S. Pervez Qaiser
Pakistan who won 21 of 29 one-day internationals in 1999 finished top in rating with a success percentage of 74.14. Pakistan had finished sixth in last year's rating.

SPORT MAIL

Women’s hockey has come a long way
By Ramu Sharma

Despite occasional flourishes and the title in the Asian Games of 1982. Women’s hockey in India has generally appeared pedestrian as far as the actual style and pace of the game is concerned. But obviously a lot of work has gone into toning up the aspiring internationals and the game at the highest level has been transformed. In fact, the metamorphoses in the overall performance both in terms of approach and the general style of the game is really remarkable.

Over the years Indian women’s hockey has indeed progressed, even to the extent of qualifying for the World Cup. It does not matter if the team did not measure up to much in the overall placing. What mattered is that India is among the top twelve countries in women’s hockey. That is an achievement beyond compare.

Successive coaches have indeed worked hard with the players and the result was there for every one to see when the Asian Women’s Hockey Championship was conducted in New Delhi. India did not eventually win the title. That was a tragedy if only for the fact that the team led till two minutes before the final hooter. South Korea snatched the equaliser at the moment and went on to win by a golden goal scored early in extra period. It was a shattering blow for the team which played its heart out against opposition considered only second to Australia in the world.

Since only one team could make the grade India thus missed on qualifying for the World Cup. But there is nothing to prevent it from making it to the tournament by qualifying for it again. The team has done it once and there is no reason why it cannot do it again. The bunch who wore India colours in the New Delhi Asia Cup have it in them to scale any height. Remember the girls have even beaten the great Australians once in an international tournament in Delhi!

That India did not win the Asia Cup title was disappointing indeed. But on the brighter side was the way the team played against the South Koreans in both matches, in the league stage and later in the final. In fact, India sprang a major surprise by beating the Koreans in the league stage to make it to the final. And the match score at the stage after the victory in the league was 3-1, India having beaten the Koreans twice in a back-to-back four-nation tournament held in Australia in May. This was the record with which India went into the final match.

One was really impressed with the style and speed the Indians display during the tournament. Given the general reputation of pedestrian approach of the earlier teams, even as recent as three years ago in the international at Delhi, the Indian girls showing was revealing in more than one sense. This was a team which was motivated, had speed and a good approach work with forwards playing to position, covering each other and the midfield providing excellent support in positive hockey. The women in fact played the way the men normally do. It was a great sight to see the team play the way it did.

The positive approach indeed paid dividends. There were of course some gray areas and the coaches would do well to look into it. One was the lack of confidence when in scoring range. This was a failing which was to cost the team dearly in the matches against Japan and China. The home team outplayed the visiting combinations but failed to convert the superiority into goals. For instance against China the hosts had six penalty corners and two penalty strokes in addition to some other chances. But the players seemed to be lacking the confidence to make a firm and direct hit. It was particularly disappointing to see both the penalty stroke frittered away for lack of judgement. Buth were saved by the tall Chinese goalkeeper who could perhaps have been found wanting if the efforts were directed along the ground.

The girls just could not make up their minds and rushed to the sidelines seeking guidance from the coach after each wasted penalty corner or penalty stroke. Fortunately, the team made up for its failure against Japan and China with a great victory over the formidable Koreans in the final match of the league. What happened in the title match is now consigned to history. India leading 2-1 till two minutes before the hooter and Korea pulling the rug from under its feet with the equaliser in the last minute and a golden goal thereafter.

India will have to play the qualifying tournament to be able to take part in the World Cup tournament. The immediate task is to make an effort for the Olympic Games in Sydney next year. The Asia Cup has proved one thing.The team has the talent and the capacity to raise its game. Its record in recent years is proof enough of its capabilities. A team that has beaten South Korea on three of the five occasions this year certainly has the potential to do even better. All it needs is a little confidence in itself.

Indeed India in women’s hockey is a totally different proposition from the team it was a decade ago. Despite the title win in the Asian Games of 1982, it then ranked below Korea, China and Japan in that order. Things have changed now. Indian women hockey has come of age.

The next step is to consolidate the gains from the Asia Cup. There is time at the disposal of the federation and it could perhaps involve a foreign coach, perhaps one from Australia, to hammer home the benefits of fitness and speed, areas in which the team certainly needs to work on. The girls do have speed but sometime the coordination is lacking. Fitness is a problem with all Indian teams, men or women. This is an area which requires a change in thinking.

And perhaps one of the more important aspect relate to the vast talent that needs to be given more competition.The federation has so far done well in organising national championships and international competitions but need to tighten the organisation at the state level. It is surprising that women’s hockey has made progress without having competition at state levels. The federation should ask its affiliated units to hold regular club-level competition at the state level. And since most of the top teams are financed by the corporate sector why not also expand the activities at the national stage by having competitions on the lines of men’s hockey. The federation could think in terms of a competition among the top six teams on a league basis in both the juniors as well as seniors. This could help provide fodder for more teams to be sponsored by the corporate sector.

Football needs ‘legalised betting’
By Amardeep Bhattal

Among the top Indian footballers who carved out a niche for themselves on the basis of individual brilliance in the seventies was a tall, medium complexioned Bengali player, Subhas Bhowmick, who as a right winger, not only mesmerised the crowds in Calcutta but also in other parts of the country and abroad.

Bhowmick played for Calcutta giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal for six years. When he hung up his boots in 1977, he was a member of the Mohun Bagan team. While playing for the Calcutta clubs, Bhowmick got an opportunity to show his prowess in every major national tournament,including the Durand Cup, IFA Shield, Rovers Cup, DCM Cup and the Calcutta league. He was also a regular member of the Bengal team which participated in the national championship for the Santosh Trophy in the seventies.

Subhas Bhowmick also played in the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games where India won the bronze. His last international appearance was in the Merdeka Cup in 1977. A contemporary of the late Manjit Singh, Bhowmick quit football in 1977 as he felt he was not enjoying the game.

Currently working as Inspector, Vigilance, in the Department of Customs and Central Excise at Calcutta, Bhowmick has come back into football, albeit in a new role. He is now coach of East Bengal, the team which he took to glorious heights as a player more than two decades ago.

East Bengal, currently playing in the National Football League, were at Ludhiana last month to play their away matches against Border Security Force and JCT Phagwara, and Subhas Bhowmick took time off to speak on various issues concerning the game.

“The National Football League is a great idea which has undoubtedly given a big boost to the game in our country. Top teams are competing against each other in various parts of the country which has given an opportunity to people in every nook and corner to see their favourite players in action. The home and away concept is also well intentioned but when venues are shifted on petty considerations the teams suffer. This should not be allowed,” he said.

The former soccer star is piqued by the decline in popularity of football in India. “Games like cricket have taken away the crowds from football grounds and it is this aspect which needs to be tackled immediately,” remarked Bhowmick while emphasising the importance of greater public participation.

To ensure greater participation of the people, Bhowmick strongly supports the idea of legalised betting. “If horse racing can have legalised betting, why can’t we have the same in football,” he questions. “While lotteries have only the chance factor, betting involves the skill factor and if legalised, it will definitely generate public interest in football which is lacking in several parts of the country at present .”

As regards the standard of football in our country, Bhowmick laments the absence of players with individual brilliance. “There was a time when people came to see players like Inder Singh, Shyam Thapa, Surojit Sengupta and Jarnail Singh for their spectacular feats. They held the spectators spellbound through marvellous ball play. However, today we lack such quality players, although football today involves a huge amount of money. Football today has also become more difficult. Although the players are more serious, yet they are not technically sound. This is one of the reasons why we fare poorly in international meets,” he says.

Bhowmick, nevertheless, is all praise for the All-India Football Federation for launching the National Football League. “We need to work on it to make it more attractive by plugging the loopholes. The league is definitely going to make the game more popular in places like Ludhiana which have seldom seen such high-quality contests in the past. This, in the long run, will help in the promotion of the game all over the country. This is the need of the hour,” opines the former Indian star.

TEEING OFF

DDA venue to promote golf
by K. R. Wadhwaney

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been a much-maligned body for constructing poor quality of houses, but its contribution for promoting sports, particularly golf, has been remarkable.

The driving range of Siri Fort is an excellent avenue for beginners and out-of-form players to sharpen their accuracy. It also provides an opportunity to players to improve their swing, which is vital for developing accuracy and hitting a long ball. The longer the drive, the better it is for the golfer. There are several other golfing facilities for players, men and women. The popularity of the range is so much that it is always crowded. Many foreigners are seen practising there.

Now the DDA has started developing an 18-hole course at Lado Sarai. The course, when completed, will extend in the vicinity of Qutb Minar. The surroundings are ideal and the concept superb. But the authorities will have to give further thought to it in developing the course. The rules for membership will have to be more realistic so that genuine lovers of golf can enrol themselves. Also there should be special provision for youngsters to play regularly because golf is no longer a discipline meant for only oldies and wealthy people.

The first clinic at Lado Sarai was a success. It could have been more successful with better structure of fees. To ask non-members to pay Rs 500 (members Rs 350) was understandable, but youngsters should have been asked to pay Rs 200 or less. The DDA after all is not developing the course to make money but to promote golf in the capital.

Heartening news

The Asian golf has come of age. This is now a fact since the Asian PGA has been provided world ranking status. The Davidoff Tour has been recognised by the world body and rankings will be awarded from January 1, 2000.

Formed in 1995, the Asian Professional Golfers Association has been canvassing for recognition which has eventually come about. Many Asian golfers will be the gainers. At least half-e-dozen Indian golfers will be benefited by this recognition. Jeev Milkha Singh has already gone on record as saying that it will help raise standards of the tour on the Asian circuit.

Golf in the country is thriving because of Tiger Sports. Its team of Joy Chakravarty and Ashwin has been feeding the press with details, summary and news from time to time and, if there is an extensive coverage in the print media or on electronic media, it is because of these two live-wire men.

Professional Golfers Association of India (PGAI) officials do team with Tiger Sports well but the PGAI should secure more sponsors so that golf gets further thrust. There is an urgent need to have at least two more big prize money tournaments. The tournaments so far held, do not attract leading pros from abroad. The more stiff the challenge from foreigners, the better will be Indian standard.

Siddarth Sriram’s term as President of the PGAI has ended and soon there will be a new incumbent. There is a need for all-round development of golf. The amateur standards have got to be improved. From good amateurs will turn excellent pros. Similarly, there is need to help improve women’s golf. Here, the Indian Golf Union (IGU) has got to come out of its narrow tendencies and help golf develop. IGU’s performance is promoting golf is not in keeping with its stature and status. It should be much more than it does.

Pakistan top in one-dayers
By S. Pervez Qaiser

Pakistan who won 21 of 29 one-day internationals in 1999 finished top in rating with a success percentage of 74.14. Pakistan had finished sixth in last year's rating.

South Africa who finished top last year, came second in this year's rating with a success percentage of 74.00. South Africa have won 18 of 27 one-day internationals played this year.

Australia who have won the last World Cup of this millennium by beating Pakistan at Lord's, took the third spot. They won 26 out of 37 one-day internationals this year with success percentage rate of 72.97.

The Indian team who played the highest number of one-dayers (43) this year, came fourth with a success percentage of 51.22.

India's Saurav Ganguly topped the batting with 1767 runs in 41 matches at an average of 46.50. Australian leg spinner Shane Warne, who took 62 wickets at 23.25 in 37 matches, topped the list of highest wickets takers in 1999.

Seven batsmen crossed the 1000-run mark in 1999 while only two bowlers crossed the 50-wicket mark this year.

South African all-rounder Lance Klusener who did not find a place in the top ten batsmen in 1999, topped the batting average as well as the strike rate. Klusener made 854 runs at 94.88 in 27 matches with a strike rate of over 100.

Team ratings in 1999:

**Last year's ratings in brackets

SPORT MAIL

Hype over Sachin misplaced

THE hype over Sachin Tendulkar’s dismissal in the second innings of the first Test at Adelaide against Australia was not fair. David Foot once said: “There is more to life than cricket; and more to cricket than runs and wickets.” I agree that Sachin is our best batsman but should his dismissal spark such a controversy? In a match, if a crucial decision goes against one of the teams, it is essential to know at what stage the game was progressing. At 27 for 3 and 396 to win, with more than a day to spare, there was hardly anything left for the Indians in the match. In contrast, on the third day of the first Test between West Indies and New Zealand played at Hamilton, Chris Cairns was run out for a duck but was given not out. He went on to make a strokeful 72 thus tilting the match in home team’s favour. This should have sparked off a much greater controversy but Cairns is not given as much importance as Sachin.

VINISH GARG
Panchkula

Kudos to Sachin

Congratulations to Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar for his 22nd century in Test cricket. Sachin scored the century against Australia in the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. He scored 116 in 191 balls with nine fours and a towering six over Shane Warne. Tendulkar moved from 89 runs to his century in Anil Kumble’s company. Sachin’s 116 runs also saved the Indian team from a follow-on. This was his fifth century against Australia.

BHUPENDER GOSAIN
Panchkula

India’s wicket-keeper

Every cricket team needs a good wicket-keeper-cum-batsman. In the recently held World Cup this deficiency in our team was exposed. We do not have a wicketkeeper of Moin Khan’s ability or Adam Gilchrist’s calibre. Our selectors are not paying attention towards this aspect. Pankaj Dharmani has been good in keeping wickets and scoring runs but he has been ignored. May be he has no godfather in the selection committee.

BIMAL CHAUDHARY
Dera Bassi

Mohd Azharuddin

There are millions of cricket lovers in India and abroad who take this game and their stars very seriously. Mohammed Azharuddin has been the darling of not only millions of Indians but also of cricket lovers of other nations. Have people forgotten all the laurels Azhar won for the country as captain and player. Many who know cricket very well do not hesitate to put him ahead of Sachin Tendulkar when it comes to elegance, grace and style. There have been many unworthy cricketers who have been tolerated in the team like Bhardwaj, MSK Prasad and Devang Gandhi. Azhar definitely deserves a better farewell.

AHMED FIROZ
On e-mail

Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar is once again under a cloud for his bowling action as the ICC has raised objections. However, the PCB and skipper Wasim Akram started issuing foolish statements. Akram is of the opinion that India and Australia will face trouble if Shoaib plays. I think one can only laugh over such statements.

UMESH DEWAN
Ludhiana