In polls season, over 100 units affiliate with VHA

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Oct 27

IF ONE goes by number of affiliated units, the hockey scene in Vidarbha looks rosy and quite healthy. But actually it is at its lowest ebb.
With elections of the association round the corner (Nov 27), over 100 units, including schools, clubs, colleges and district units suddenly sprouted up and got affiliated with VHA.
Though election officer Shrigopal Soni did not reveal the names of affiliated units, he informed that 99 affiliated units have sent their representation letters on the final day of submission of names of representatives (Oct 26).
“One unit submitted its application with representative name after stipulated time and his letter was not accepted. Now only the head of that unit will have right to cast the vote (on Nov 27) if needed,” said Soni.
Twenty schools had participated in the last year’s inter-school tournament conducted by VHA. But the number has suddenly swollen this time. If one of the life members is to be believed the figure has crossed 30 mark. Same is the case with clubs and district units who hardly have hockey teams but are ‘forced’ to get affiliated with the association by those few who want to secure their vote bank.
The voters list will be displayed on Oct 29 and objections to it will be accepted on Nov 1 and 2. Over 400 voters are expected to participate in this election.

All India U-17 hockey at Kalmeshwar in Dec

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Oct 25

WITH an aim to promote hockey and encourage sports culture in rural areas, the National Council for Sports and Youth Development (NCSYD), New Delhi has decided to hold an all India inter-school (Under-17) hockey tournament at Kalmeshwar.
Located 25 kms from Nagpur, Kalmeshwar will thus become the first town from the region to play host to the hockey tournament in which school teams from all over the country take part. The tournament will be held in the month of December (16-21).
NCSYD, a non-profit organisation, is working towards the development of children and empowerment of youth through the medium of sports.
The body has also organised all India cricket, volleyball, throwball tournaments for schools all over the country.
NCSYD President Dr Surya Prakash Yadav, along with 1980 Moscow Olympic Games gold medalist Maharaj Krishan Kaushik, Dr Asif Sheikh, Working President, Maharashtra Unit, Pramod Thakre, Vice-President, Maharashtra Unit inspected the Nagar Parishad School in Kalmeshwar on Monday afternoon. They were satisfied with the location and the boarding facilities at the Nagar Parishad School.
“The ground needs to be rolled and levelled a bit. 
“We are very happy with the location. The ground also has stands for spectators to sit and enjoy the matches,” said Dr Yadav while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ at the venue.
Informing more about the tournament, Dr Yadav said, “The organisation is also conducting Under-14 all India meet in Pimpri, Pune in November and Under-19 meet in Bangalore in March next year apart from the Nagpur event.”
Interested schools will have to register themselves on-line with NCSYD.
“Top 16 schools from the country will be selected by our panel for the tournament. They will be divided in four pools. Top teams from each pool will make it to the semi-finals,” informed Dr Yadav.
“All our hockey tournaments are held under the auspices of Hockey India. The technical assistance will be provided by Hockey India,” added Dr Yadav.
“There is no dearth of talent. We need to tap them at the right place. Some of the best hockey players India has produced have come from rural and tribal areas,” said Olympian Arjuna and Shiv Chhatrapati Award winner MK Kaushik.
Coach of 2012 Commonwealth Games gold winning women’s team, Kaushik said, “We have to dig deeper to get diamonds. The Tirkeys, Lakras, Barlas...all have come from tribal belts and shone at the top-most level. We have to find them in towns, villages and hinterlands and make them shine at top.”

Atal counters Sharma’s claims

Nobody voted against 51 members in EC meeting: Atal

Nagpur, Oct 16
n By Paritosh Pramanik

AFTER two days of claims and counter claims over the incorporation of 51 life members of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), senior-most office-bearer and VHA vice-president Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh has raised a ‘constitutional’ point stating ‘no voting took place against the 51 members in the executive meeting’.
Singh said constitutionally voting is necessary if there is opposition to any proposal. “There can be a difference of opinion but to oppose any proposal in the executive meeting there has to a voting,” he explained.
VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, vice-president TN Sidhra, Kishor Goydani and executive member Sanjay Lokhande, on Thursday, opposed the incorporation of 51 members in the VHA body. They said they may appeal against the decision in higher court.
Singh, however, said no dissent was noted against the 51 members. “All members were aware of the judgement but nobody spoke about it until it came out in open. There were discussions on the adoption of the members. But there was no voting on the issue,” he said.
Explaining his point, Singh said, “Opposition means you have to raise your hand to vote against any decision. That never took place during the meeting. Nobody voted against the adoption of 51 life members. They should have asked for voting. The members were unanimously adopted.”
“There was difference of opinions (during the meeting). Sharma differed and he has every right. He has his point of view. All other members also put forth their views. But nobody gave a note of dissent,” Singh informed about the proceedings of the executive committee meeting of Wednesday.
“All members were aware of the judgement. DS Karunashankar was waiting for GM Pillay to inform to VHA about the judgement as he was the applicant. Pillay did not submit the order copy in time (in May 2015) to VHA. In that way all are at fault for not informing VHA about the judgement.
“The best part is nobody complained when the order was passed 16 months back. Now, when it has come out in open, members are questioning its timing. Why didn’t the opposite party move higher court when the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s order was passed in May 2015,” Singh questioned.
Atal challenged Sharma and others to swear on oath that they have objected during the executive committee meeting.
Coming out in support of Karunashankar, Singh asked why nobody is blaming Sharma who was also one of the intervenors. “Shyam Sharma was one of the intervenors. Why did he keep the order under wraps. It was everybody’s fault. Not only Karunashankar even Sharma is at fault for keeping the association in dark for 16 months,” said Singh.
Meanwhile, Karunashankar preferred not to comment on the issue. “I don’t want to comment on the issue. I will reply to the executive committee on October 16 during the executive committee meeting,” he said.

Won’t allow 51 members to vote: Sharma

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Oct 15
DEMANDING an explanation from secretary DS Karunashankar as to why the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s judgement on 51 members was kept under wraps for 16 months, VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, vice-president TN Sidhra, Kishor Goydani and executive member Sanjay Lokhande have decided to appeal against the decision and stop the ‘new members’ to contest and vote in the association’s elections. VHA polls are scheduled in the third week of November.
On Wednesday, VHA had decided to incorporate 51 members who were made life members in 1989.
The Deputy Charity Commissioner’s decision along with the order copy were submitted to VHA by former VHA incharge secretary, GM Pillay along with a letter to incorporate the members. The same was put before the executive committee on Wednesday and the decision was taken to include them.
Certified copy of that order was procured by DS Karunashankar.
According to VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, he along with three other members of the executive committee—Vice-presidents Sidhra, Goydani and Lokhande—opposed the decision to incorporate those 51 members.
“We are not talking about the order (the judgement). We questioned the adoption of the list of 51 members. We are definitely against the adoption.
“President (Radheshyam) Sarda is giving wrong statements that nobody opposed the adoption of the list of members. They are telling lies. I asked them to show the rough proceedings they wrote before finalising the minutes. He (Sarda) asked to write ‘some of the members were against it’. I interfered and asked to write that I am opposing it. I am ready to face the consequences,” said Sharma, while speaking about the proceedings of the meeting.
“Reports say the decision was unanimous. It is completely false. We are totally against the decision to incorporate the members,” Sharma told ‘The Hitavada’ on Thursday.
When asked the reason for their opposition to the adoption of the members, Sharma said it is only because of the timing of presenting the list of members.
VHA elections are going to be held in November and, in all probability, the 51 members, most of whom are from Sadar, Chhaoni and New Colony, would support the Sadar-based group.
“The reason to oppose the adoption is that when the certified copy of the judgement was procured by (DS) Karunashankar in May 2015 why did he keep it under wraps till last Sunday. Suddenly they come up with the list of members and order. Why was it not put before the committee when he got the copy of the judgement 16 months back,” Sharma asked.
When asked whether he was not aware of the judgement despite being one of the intervenors along with Vinod Gawai, Sharma accused Karunashankar of misleading him.
During the proceedings of the case, Sharma and Karunashankar were in opposite groups.
“He (Karunashankar) cheated and misled me. At that time Karunashankar told me he had given ‘No Objection’ in this case. But he gave no objection to the application which was filed for the change in tenure of the executive body from one to four years,” said Sharma.
“I only want to know what were they doing with the judgement for 16 months. Why didn’t they take the executive committee in confidence. That’s why we opposed the adoption.”
Sharma said he will discuss the matter with all other members of his group and then take decision whether to move higher court or not.
“Definitely, I will talk with Gawai, Sidhra and other members and then would decide whether to file an application in higher court”.
The VHA treasurer dared that they would not allow the members to vote in the elections.
“We will not allow these 51 members to be part of the ensuing elections. We are going to oppose their participation,” he concluded.

VHA to incorporate 51 life members

Dy Charity Comm passes order on 11-year-old case

n By Paritosh Pramanik

IN A major boost to the ruling body of the Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) ahead of November elections, the Deputy Charity Commissioner of Nagpur has ordered the association to incorporate 51 members as its life members (who were enrolled in 1989) and “allow them to attend all meetings and to vote in the meetings and elections.”

The ordered was passed on May 25, 2015 on the application filed by late Balraj Aher and GM Pillay.

The decision along with the order copy were submitted to VHA by former VHA incharge secretary, GM Pillay along with a letter to incorporate the members.

On Wednesday, the executive committee unanimously accepted the decision of the Deputy Charity Commissioner and decided to incorporate all the 51 members.

“How can I go against court’s order? I will have to abide by the order. We will incorporate all the said members as life members of the association,” VHA President Radheshyam Sarda told ‘The Hitavada.’ These ‘new; 51 votes will definitely help the Sadar-based Hockey Lovers Panel in the ensuing elections against Bhartia-Gawai led panel.

How the life members got back in VHA fold

On September 12, 1989, Joint Charity Commissioner Office, Nagpur had ordered GM Pillay to work as Incharge secretary of VHA after two change reports, one by the elected body and another by TN Sidhra (who had lost the secretary’s post in the elections), were filed with the competent authority.

The elected body then called an executive committee meeting on September 17, 1989 and it was decided to enroll 51 new life members.

Since then till 2004, VHA was run by late Balraj Aher as President and GM Pillay as its Incharge secretary. Then in 2004-05 Arun Kokane of Gondia Hockey Association brought an order from Joint Charity Commissioner to hold elections of the association and a fresh body was elected then (in 2005).

But the court’s order also stated that the list of voters which was used in 1987 will be used in 2005 polls.

After the new VHA body took charge, GM Pillay submitted a letter on September 3, 2005, stating that during his tenure (in 1989) 51 life members were enrolled and the same should be added to the list used during the 2005 polls. But several members opposed it and Aher and Pillay had no other option but to move court.

Pillay submitted all the relevant documents and copy of minutes of the executive meeting during which new members were enrolled, to the court.

After years of legal battle, the Deputy Charity Commissioner office passed the order on May 25, 2015 in Pillay’s favour and asked the association to incorporate all the 51 members.

The ‘new 51 members’

RC Nema, NM Dakaha, Tanvir Ahmed, BAR Naidu, Shoeb Parvez, Shankar Manchandioa, Raju Joseph, Apurva Sarkar, BR Naidu, RS Trivedi, SN Mishra, Surendra Mishra, KR Reddy, Suhail Arshad, Pradeep Nagarkar, Sunil Agrawal, Sanjay Pande, VB Datarkar, MA Waheed, Amresh Pramanik, Dilip Chougule, Dharamraj Kanojiya, Ashok Yadav, Satdev Mahadule, SR Tiwari, Prabhat Singh, Shailendra Jhazed, CS Iyer, Bernard Ekka, Gopal Thapa, MZ Beg, Altaf Ahmed, S Biswas, Rampal Thakur, Shyam Dubey, Imtiyaz Rizvi, Anil Daral, HB Kedar, Oswald Joseph, Madhu Salve, IC Sachdeva, Shyam Arora, Anjan Dey, VA Khan, MV Khan, A Salim, Mahendra Lakhanpar, Sushil Surve, Shaket Ali, PS Rajeshwar Rao, KT Bose.

--------------------

Shrigopal Soni to be VHA election officer 

FORMER Nag Vidarbha Chambers of Commerce (NVCC) president Shrigopal Soni has been appointed as the Election Officer of the Vidarbha Hockey Association polls.

The elections are likely to be held in the third week of November.

Soni’s named was suggested by VHA President Radheshyam Sarda during the executive body’s meeting on Wednesday. The choice was unanimous.

The association has decided to hold the election on November 23. The date will be now finalised by Election Officer Soni.

Split wide open in VHA? Pub on Oct 10, 2016

Hockey Lovers Panel and Hockey Promoters Panel likely to fight against each other in coming VHA elections

Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh says all is well in camp

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE alliance between Salim Baig’s ‘Sadar Panel’ (Hockey Lovers Panel) and TN Sidhra’s Hockey Promoters Panel, which was made to oust the Bhartia-Gawai body from Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), is unlikely to continue in the coming elections.
The formation of ‘Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel’ was only a temporary arrangement between the two panels. The alliance had helped them sweep the VHA polls in November 2014. But differences between the ‘old rivals’ became visible within no time of assuming charge.
Things have come to a point that incumbent president Radheshyam Sarda has made up his mind to “not to be part of any panel or body” which has Sidhra, Shyam Sharma or any of his colleagues.
Fed up with the “bickering and non-cooperation” from Sidhra’s confidants, Sarda has decided to side with the Sadar Panel in the ensuing elections slated in mid November.
“They don’t want the game to grow. They only want to block smooth functioning. I am experiencing this since past two years. I never wanted to become president as I was aware of the working pattern of Sidhra when I was with VHA in 2004-05. But Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh insisted and I had to obey him,” Sarda told ‘The Hitavada’.
“In 2014, the first choice for president’s post was Suresh Sharma but he backed out and I was forced to fight for the post,” recalled Sarda.
However, there is still hope for the alliance to continue. Vice-President Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, the man behind bringing the two factions close, stated that all was well in their camp.
Singh said all the three panel’s should come together and fight for one common cause — development of the game.
“I want all the three panels to come together this time. I would request all to keep aside their differences and egos for at least two more years and work together for the development of hockey in Vidarbha.
“I respect Vinod Gawai a lot. He and his body has worked really hard for the development of the game. If we all come together and work for hockey’s development then there will be nothing like that,” said Singh.
The former city mayor refused to buy stories that there are major differences in the present body.
“There is difference of opinion in the present body but that is only for the betterment of the game. Radheshyam Sarda and TN Sidhra both are good and have exceptional administrative qualities. Sidhra, whom I call Brigadier, is well versed with the game of hockey. He has thorough knowledge of the game. I would definitely want him in any of my panel,” Singh asserted.
“In last two years we have worked really hard. We started from scratch, had nothing in bank. We contributed from our own pockets. For nearly one year we didn’t get documents from the previous body. I had several rounds of talk with Gawai and BC Bhartia and had requested them to hand over the papers (receipt books and other financial documents). They (Gawai-Bhartia) claim that they have submitted each and every document but treasurer Shyam Sharma said he didn’t get any. I have no other option but to trust my treasurer,” Singh explained about his team’s journey till now.
However, there are contradictory voices among members. Several from Sadar Panel are dead against working with the Promoters Panel headed by Sidhra. They are not speaking openly but most of the members in the executive committee have shown their discontent.
The election dates are likely to be announced by Thursday. It would be interesting to see how Singh, ‘the Santa Claus’ of city, manages to regroup all by ‘gifting’ posts of their liking in the executive body.

Time to learn from the best in world: Akash

Akash Chikte of Yavatmal in Indian team 

for Asian Champions Trophy

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 8

EVERY sportsperson dreams of playing alongside his/her idol. They all want to become like the player they adore and worship in their learning days. Same was India goalkeeper Akash Chikte’s dream, to play alongside Indian custodian PR Sreejesh. Chikte, who hails from Lohara village in Yavatmal district, always idolised Sreejesh. He wanted to perform like Sreejesh, make breathtaking saves like the India captain does.

The son of a welding shop owner Anil and Baby, was over the moon when he found his name in the 18-member Indian hockey team’s list that will participate in the Asian Championship Trophy to be held at Kuantan in Malaysia from October 20. Chikte’s joy had no bounds as he would be sharing the room with his idol Olympian Sreejesh who has been named as the captain of the team by Hockey India.

“It’s unbelievable. I will be playing under Sreejesh, one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” said Chikte over phone from Bengaluru where he was attending the Indian team’s preparatory camp.

Though his chances of playing in any match are bleak as Sreejesh would be guarding the Indian citadel in almost all the encounters, Chikte said he would learn a lot from him. “Sree bhai would be playing most of the matches. But I will get an opportunity to learn a lot of new things from him as well as from others,” said Chikte, who had represented Vidarbha Hockey Association in 2008 Bhopal nationals. “He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and it would be the best opportunity to learn finer points from him,” he added.

Chikte was selected as the first choice goalkeeper for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament held in Ipoh in May earlier this year. The lanky goalkeeper did not disappoint as India won silver medal in that tournament. Had 18 members been allowed for Rio Olympics, Chikte would have been the automatic choice as the second goalkeeper.

But after his silver winning feat, Chikte was confident of securing a berth in Indian squad for Asian Champions Trophy. “I had performed well in Sultan Azlan Shah meet. I was confident of getting selected. I was also working hard during the training sessions,” he mentioned. Chikte pipped Indian Railways’ goalkeeper Abhinav Pandey to get into the team. “If I get a chance to play any match I assure you I wont’s disappoint,” he added.

“I would like to thank Manoj Bhore sir (Hockey Maharashtra secretary) and my BEG coach Sagar Thakur who helped from time to time,” he added.

The tournament will see India, Korea, Japan, China and hosts Malaysia challenge defending champions Pakistan.

Dig Deep, Strike Gold

Dig Deep, Strike Gold
By Paritosh Pramanik
11-9-2016
Two medals at Rio Olympics last month gave Indians much to cheer about. India was ‘saved by the girl child’ from the horror of returning empty handed as it finally managed to sneak into medals tally, thanks to the silver and bronze medals won by shuttler PV Sindhu and wrestler Sakshi Malik, respectively.
Rewards, in cash as well as in kind, were showered upon the two girls who won India accolades with their sheer grit and determination.
Everywhere, be it on news channels, in newspapers or on social media, Indians showered praises on Sakshi and Sindhu.
As the country was celebrating, another news flashed in newspapers a couple of days later.
A report by New World Wealth ranked India 7th among top 10 wealthiest countries in the world with a total individual wealth of USD 5,600 billion. The United States topped the chart. India, one of the fastest growing nations in the world, has pushed behind countries like Canada, Australia and Italy who were placed 8th, 9th and 10th in the list.
It gives a sense of pride when our nation gets acclaimed, be it on the sports field or in general.
But, at the same time, it forces one to ponder upon as to why our sportspersons continuously fail at the big stages like Olympics and World Championships despite figuring among the wealthy nations.
India manages to win a bagful of medals at Continental Championships or at the Commonwealth Games, where other countries’ participation is limited.
However, when it comes to Olympics, the biggest sporting extravaganza, the country with a population of over 130 crore, falls flat. The medal count drops down to a single digit.
India is among the top ten richest countries in the world but not even in the top 50 in sporting excellence as it finished as low as at 67th spot at Rio.
Every four years, immediately after Olympics, post mortem on India’s debacle is done by one and all. Every single Indian tries to proclaim himself/herself as the best preacher or policy maker. Everybody declares that government should change policy, give training to players abroad, provide best infrastructure, et al.
And the ministry, too, forms a committee or two ‘to look’ into the matter.
This year, too, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formed a Task Force to search the reasons behind such a pathetic show from the Indian contingent and prepare a roadmap for future.
For ages, sportspersons, coaches and authorities are talking about grooming at the grassroot level.
But till date, hardly anything concrete has been done in this regard. The Sports Ministry is definitely providing best infrastructure but to a ‘developed’ player and not at the grass root level.
The point is why not provide the best facilities to the players at the nascent stage?
The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports conducts school, college, district, division and state-level tournaments religiously. But has anybody seen the quality of those tournaments at the district level or the field on which these tournaments take place?
Events are conducted in a hurry. A football match between two schools lasts for hardly 50 minutes. And if it is a one-sided one, then it finishes as per referee’s discretion.
It is very easy to participate in debates and preach from the cosy air-conditioned rooms but it takes a whale of effort to perform the actual task.
The point is when one talks about promoting sports at grassroot level then it should actually be promoted at that level. Why not provide the best facilities at school and taluka levels itself? Like superpower the United States provide to its bidding sportspersons.
There are over 1000 tennis courts in the United States which are open for the youngest of kids or budding players who wish to learn the tricks of trade. 
They get the feel of the court right from the beginning. 
That’s the reason why US has proudly produced champions like Margaret Court, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras to name a few.
In The Netherlands, a much smaller country than India, there are over 500 astro turfs for field hockey. In India, they can be counted on fingers.
Speaking about hockey at grassroots in India, the budding players learn their dribbling skills on mud or ‘chat’ field. In most of the states, the local and school-level tournaments are played either on ‘chat ground’ or on grass turf. Whereas in Holland or Germany, kids are ‘thrown’ on astro turfs from the day they start learning how to hold a hockey stick.
These basic facilities have to be made available to the kids when they start playing the game.
Same approach has to be applied in other sports too.
Why not make it mandatory for every school in the country to have tennis courts, astro turfs, synthetic tracks, swimming pools. Not only in metros but at taluka level, too, from where India gets most of the medal winners.
Provide the best infrastructures to kids at taluka level, in every district and the result will be seen in next 10 years.
If India wants Olympic medal winners for 2024 Olympics they have to be groomed at the right earnest.
Look at China, that won 70 medals including 26 gold at Rio.
In China, a child is ‘adopted’ by the sports bodies or families introduce their wards to sports as early as four years of age. Then only they manage to produce a champion at the tender age of 15 years. At Rio, fifteen-year-old Chinese Ren Qian won the 10-metre platform gold medal in swimming becoming the youngest champion from that country.
A champion is not made in a fortnight. It takes years and years of hard work to carve out a medal winner.
India is participating in Olympics since 1928 and China started its sojourn four years later (1932). They did not participate in the Games from 1956 to 1980 but returned at the 1984 Los Angeles Games with a bang winning a total of 32 medals out of which 15 were gold medals. Since then, its success graph has only soared at every Games. 
Since 1992 Barcelona Olympics their medals tally never came below 50 medals.
In comparison to that, India’s medals can be counted on fingers. Their best was at 2012 London where it bagged six medals (three silver and three bronze. Yogeshwar Dutt’s bronze was upgraded to silver recently).
Those six medals prompted the so-called pundits of the game to predict that India would win atleast 8-9 medals at Rio. But their predications went horribly wrong as the athletes were buried under the heavy pressure of expectations.
Shockingly, India returned with just two medals.
Not that the shooters, and other athletes performed badly. 
There were some very close defeats. Shooters Jitu Rai and Abhinav Bindra missed the target by whisker while gymnast Dipa Karmakar filled the countrymen heart with pride before being pipped by eventual gold medal winner from US Simone Biles. Tennis players Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna, too, were on the cusp of winning a third spot but missed it narrowly.
But overall, the expectation from a contingent of 118 athletes, was only to win medals in single digit which they still failed to achieve.
In India’s comparison, Thailand had 56 athletes at Rio and six returned with medals. A really good show, it could be said. They participated in less number of sports and concentrated on them rather than marking their attendance in as many as they can.
India, too, can ponder upon on concentrating on few sports and develop players in those games.
Badminton, tennis, wrestling, archery, shooting, hockey have won medals for India in pervious games.
Why not concentrate on these sports from the grassroot level for next 10-15 years.
Pullela Gopichand worked for over a decade in his academy to give India two medal winners.
Government can also think on ‘privatising’ these few sports by handing them totally to private firms. Olympic Gold Quest, JSW and a few others are already pouring in money to prepare champions. And the results are there for everybody to see.
Such firms should be handed a few sports and the results would definitely see an upward journey in 2024 Games.

Indian hockey ready for Rio test: Sreejesh

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, July 23

FROM a no-hoper to Indian captain, P R Sreejesh’s journey is a wonderful tale of grit and gumption. The Kerala player will lead the Indian hockey team in the August 5-21 Olympics in Rio. It is a huge assignment for the humble goalkeeper who has prepared his team to change perception about Indian hockey that returned with a wooden spoon in the 2012 Olympics in London.
‘The Hitavada’ got Sreejesh talking in an exclusive interview before the Indian team left for Madrid on their way to Rio. He spoke freely about his humble start as a player and transformation as a leader. He talked about the nuances of man management and team bonding. And he was well aware of the expectations from the team after their recent success in Azlan Shah and Champions Trophy tournaments.
“We were waiting for this Olympics since 2012. It was a disaster. We all want to change that,” Sreejesh said about the upbeat mood in the Indian camp. The team had a very good preparatory camp in Bengaluru.
Sreejesh knows it would be important to have a well-knit unit to succeed in Olympics. He is banking on his players’ sense of responsibility and willingness to contribute to strategies. “We have given them responsibilities. When they start taking responsibilities they would know their importance and start feeling “It’s my responsibility to help the team win.” That’s my way of leading a team,” the 30-year-old said.
For a youngster making debut in 2004 Sreejesh never ever thought in his wildest of dreams that he would one day lead India. “I never imagined of getting selected in the national team, leave aside leading it,” he confided even as he conceded it to Fate and Destiny.
“My basic aim was to get selected for Kerala team and play nationals. But when I got selected for the national camp I started believing that I can play for the country,” he recalled. In the spotlight for his superlative performance under the bar against Pakistan in the gold-winning Asian Games final, Sreejesh said he did not want the limelight.
“I want my players to hog the limelight. In India most of the time the limelight is on captain. But for me, my team-mates should get the importance, all the 16 players, because they are representing our country,” he said. Sreejesh feels India have the potential to have a good run in Rio. The team’s progress, he said, started from 2013 Asia Cup and after the Asian Games gold the team was able to continue with the core group. This will stand India in good stead in Brazil, asserted the captain.
(Full interview on Page 10)

‘2012 Olympics was a disaster. We are eager to change that in Rio’

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, July 23

A SMALL town guy from a nondescript Kizhakkambalam village in Ernakulam district of Kerala has made his way to the top of the Indian hockey with sheer determination and hard work. Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh, one of world’s best goalkeepers at the moment will be leading the Indian men’s hockey team at the August 5-21 Rio Olympics.
The Indian custodian who has over 120 caps and has a road named after him in Kerala, recalled his early days when he had to play with ragged pads and jerseys, and how those days taught him to become a better person and player.
The Indian team took off for Spain on Saturday night. They would play a few warm-up games in Madrid and then go to Rio.
The 30-year-old bartender, who says goalkeeping is like a wine, which gets better with time (experience), is ready to shoulder the responsibility. He is ready to use all his experience when India hit the hockey turf at Rio from 
August 5.
Before leaving the Indian shores, Sreejesh talked with 
The Hitavada’s Principal Correspondent.
Q: The preparatory camp is over and the team is flying to Madrid. How is mood in the camp?
Sreejesh: Everyone is well prepared for Rio Olympics. The mood is great in the camp. All the players are eager to get the Games started. We have worked hard during this Bangalore camp. We were waiting for this Olympics since 2012 after we finished with the wooden spoon. It was a disaster. We all want to change that.
Q: How would you lead the team as a captain? What would be your mantra to make the top?
Sree: I want the players to play according to the roles given to them. Let them realise that they are important for us and their performance is important for the team. We have given them responsibilities and they should perform. When they start taking responsibilities they would know their importance and start feeling “It’s my responsibility to help the team win.” That’s how we can build the team. That’s my way of leading a team.
Q: How much will the team miss defender Birendra Lakra?
Sree: Birendra will be missed badly. He was one of the best defenders at present. But injuries are part and parcel of the game and one can’t do anything.
Q: You made your India debut way back in 2004. Did you ever imagine that one day you would lead the Indian team in a mega event like Olympics?
Sree: (Laughs) No..no.no…Never. I never ever imagined about this. I never imagined of getting selected in the national team, leave aside leading it. It’s all fate and I believe in destiny. My basic aim was to get selected for Kerala team and play nationals for the State. I had never thought of attending the national camp. But when I got the opportunity to get into the national camp, I started believing that I can play for the country. Then the dream started taking shape and I said to myself “If I work hard I can get into the Indian team”.
I owe a lot to Harendra Singh (India coach). He was the one who picked me from Kerala. He took me to the Junior Asia Cup. That was the time when my destiny changed. Harendra sir kept faith in me and gave me a chance in Junior World Cup and later I got selected into the senior team. Today, it’s a dream come true.
Q: Since 2014, you are with the Indian team playing almost all the tournaments, barring the Sultan Azlan Shah this year. Tell us about the journey in this last two years. How much have we, as a team, progressed since then?
Sree: Actually, the team’s progress started from 2013 with the Asia Cup. Then our next target was World Cup and after that it was the Asian Games where we wanted to qualify for Rio. We achieved that by winning the gold medal and a ticket for Rio. But the best part from 2013 was that we were able to continue with the core group. That helped us in team bonding and the players gelled well. That helped us in developing the team and improving our performance. If you ask me personally as a goalkeeper, I think getting more opportunity for playing in the main XI helped me in gaining more experience. It also helped me in building my confidence. That has helped me during the matches and also during defending the shoot-outs.
During this period what I learnt is that I have to give 100 per cent whenever I don the India Blue. Since then I decided that I would not let the team down because of my own performance.
Q: Though hockey is a team sport, India’s Rio berth is attributed to you alone after we won Asian Games gold beating Pakistan on penalties. What would you say on that?
Sree: I think first of all hockey is a team event. When it comes to shoot-out the responsibility goes to a single person, the goalkeeper. 
But we can’t forget those players who scored the goals for us in the shoot-out. It’s a simultaneous thing. Had they not scored then we would not have won. Yes, it feels great when people recognise you and appreciate your performance.
Q: How does it feel to be in the media limelight, especially after the 2012 London Games debacle?
Sree: I think I am not more into that. I want my other players to hog the limelight. If you see the 1980 (Moscow) Olympics team after we won the gold, that team was known and remembered by captain (Vasudevan) Bhaskaran. Very few at that time knew about the other members of the team. In India most of the time the limelight is on captain. But for me it’s not important. For me it’s my team-mates who should get the importance, all the 16 players, because they are representing our country and they too contribute.
Q: As a goalkeeper how much have you improved after the Asian Games?
Sree: Right now I am working more on my basics because what I learnt earlier was totally wrong. I am now learning...like how to keep your hand, how to hold your stick, how to kick…I am trying to change those things and trying to get perfect on my basics. That’s what I am doing from last 2-3 years. That helped me a lot because when you sharpen your skills your game develops accordingly.
Q: Tell us something about your early days. Have you ever cried or got disappointed or thought of leaving hockey?
Sree: I never thought of leaving. Yes, there were disappointments and at times depressing situations. But the real thing was that I was getting daily practice. I had a place to sleep. I was getting daily food. I always kept calm. I always kept on telling myself that one day I will play better and that motto kept me going ahead.
Q: Could you recall your old days when you had nothing…no pads... no proper kit..
Sree: At that time I had nothing. I had to struggle a lot. I stitched my jersey and pads in the nights. I didn’t have a strong family background. So, it was quite difficult in those days. Those struggling days in my career helped me in becoming a better person as well as a player. Like other players I never got branded clothes. It was a normal thing. I always used to wear stitched clothes. I come from a small village and nobody there wears jeans. So it was a normal thing for me.
Q: Who would you attribute your success to, on and off the field? Who are your best buddies in your 10 years hockey career?
Sree: Adrian D’Souza (former India goalkeeper) was and will be my role model. He was also a goalkeeper like me. He changed my way of thinking. He stood by my side in difficult times. He is like my brother, my well-wisher. For 5-6 years we were together and shared the same room. We used to spend our time together. Then there was Shivendra Singh (former India forward and a room-mate) who was also a great person. He, too, was very close to me. Now, there are Birendra, Danish Mujtaba, SV Sunil and Raghunath bhaiyya. They all are very close to me. Actually this team is very closely-knit.
Q: How do you release pressure during matches?
Sree: I sing (Malayalam songs) during matches. But not when the ball is in our circle (laughs)…when the ball is in the other half. I have a habit of talking to my pads. I talk to them to motivate myself. I love to sing Malayalam songs whenever I am under pressure.
Q: Your fans and team-mates have given you several names like ‘The Wall’, ‘The Defence Minister’, ‘The Saviour’…which one you like the most?
Sree: Hahaha….I think ‘The Wall’ is the best…I love that name.
Q: Who’s you favourite singer?
Sree: I don’t have any favourite singer but yes I love to listen Yesudas’ songs. He is from Kerala (Kochi). At times I listen to Hindi songs also.
Q: Have you seen Kabali?
Sree: No...Due to tight schedule I didn’t get time to watch the movie. I tried to get tickets yesterday but you know in Bangalore how difficult it is to get tickets. We are flying at 10.30 pm so it’s not possible tonight too.

We’re going to surprise several teams this Oly: SV Sunil

Sunil gives 10 out of 10 to Sreejesh on captaincy

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, July 12

WITH a couple of silver medals dangling around their necks in the build-up to Rio Olympics, Indian vice-captain SV Sunil exuded confidence and hoped of bettering their performance in the August 5-21 sporting extravaganza.
Talking with ‘The Hitavada’ from New Delhi, Sunil said this Indian side would surprise several teams in the competition.
Hockey India announced the men and women’s hockey teams for Rio Games on Tuesday. World’s one of the best goalkeepers PR Sreejesh was handed the baton of leading the 16-member men’s squad while Sunil was named his deputy.
Sunil, who has played over hundred matches with Sreejesh, rated the Indian custodian as one of the finest keepers at present in world hockey.
“I would give him 10 out of 10 as a captain. He is such a great person and an excellent player,” said Sunil of Sreejesh.
The Karnataka player added, “The best thing about Sreejesh is he is very down to earth and very friendly. This helps in gelling quickly with other team-mates.” 
On how Sreejesh would handle the added pressure, Sunil said, “He’s the best and he knows how to handle pressure situations.”
The Indian team is a mix of youth and experience with seven players having played London Games in 2012. Sunil said this will be the plus point for Indian side. “That’s the plus point because we have talented young players and experienced seniors. So, totally it’s a nice mix.”
Though Sunil ducked the question on where India could finish on podium this time, he confidently said they would spring surprises. “I would say one thing that we are going to surprise so many teams this Olympics,” he retorted.
The ace Indian forward, who will be vice-captain of the team, said he himself knows how to handle the pressure. “I don’t have any pressure because I have been playing for almost a decade now. It’s easy to handle the situation now,” he concluded.

Indian hockey needs forwards like Ronaldo, Messi: Olympian Ashok Kumar

India’s chances very bright at Rio, says the hockey World Cup gold medal winner

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, July 9, 2016
THE Olympic badge was placed just above the tricolour on his well ironed Indian blazer. Inside the dark blue coloured blazer was a heart that still beats for Indian hockey. Olympian and 1975 World Cup gold medal winner Ashok Kumar, son of hockey legend Major Dhyanchand, poured his heart out recalling several instances of how his chest swelled with pride whenever Indian team took top position at the podium, as he interacted with ‘The Hitavada’ at the sidelines of a square naming function after his father.
The 66-year-old was happy with the Indian team’s performance in the recently-concluded Champions Trophy as well as their show in Sultan Azlan Shah meet. In both the tournaments India finished a creditable second winning silver medals.
With just a couple of weeks left for the Rio Olympics, Ashok Kumar felt that the morale of the team should be at an all-time high.
“They have performed exceedingly well in past few months. Two silver medals in two reputed tournaments is a good sign. It shows that Indian hockey is going in the right direction,” said the 1975 World Cup winner. But Ashok Kumar refused to predict where India would finish in the quadrennial event.
“We are playing really well. The past few months were really great for Indian hockey. But the players will have to continue in the same manner at Rio. Any team can win the gold provided they play to their potential on the given day. It’s very hard to predict where India will finish but I am sure they would better their last performance,” he said.
India finished with wooden spoon at London Olympics four years back.
To elaborate his point Ashok Kumar gave example of Portugal football team which reached the Euro final. “Look where they are today and how they reached. They played hard and fought hard to reach final,” he explained.
The 1972 Munich Olympic bronze medal winner said Indian team needs players like Ronaldo and Messi.
“We have a great forwards. But Indian hockey needs players like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo or Argentina’s Lionel Messi. If we get players like these, then nobody can stop us from winning medals regularly,” he pointed out.
“We have to improve our conversion rate. We create beautiful moves but lack in finishing. Same is with penalty corners. We have to convert those half chances,” Ashok Kumar added.
Praising the present bunch of players Ashok Kumar said, “these players are mentally very strong. They have worked really hard to reach this far. They have proved this in Champions Trophy final against Australia after losing badly in the league round.”
The former Indian forward said the format at Rio will help India a lot. For the first time in Olympic history, quarter-finals would be played. “I feel it will favour India a lot. Only four out of 12 teams would bow out of the meet. India have a great chance to reach quarters. After that it would be anybody’s game. The team playing best on the given day would win and reach the gold medal match,” he said.
Ashok Kumar also lauded Indian defence manned by VR Raghunath. “Raghunath is an excellent defender. He has shown his class in last few tournaments.”
The legendary player had special praise for goal-keeper PR Sreejesh. “Sreejesh is world number one goal keeper today. He has bailed out India on numerous occasions. Had it not been Sreejesh, India’s performance graph would have been totally different,” he remarked.
When asked if he is still hopeful of Dhyanchand getting Bharat Ratna, the legendary hockey player’s son said, “Even after over 30 years of his death, stadiums, roads and squares are named after him. That shows how great player and person Dhyanchand was.”
“Last time his name was unanimously passed in Rajya Sabha. But...,” Ashok Kumar stopped midway, adjusted his India blazer and the two emblems and signed off.

CM Fadnavis to dedicate square after Dhyanchand

The function will be held on July 9 at VHA


n Sports Reporter

NAGPUR, Juny 7

NAGPUR Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to name a square after hockey legend Major Dhyanchand.
The square, near Vidarbha Hockey Association and in front of Patrakar Colony off Amravati Road, will be named after the hockey ‘Wizard’.
The square naming ceremony will be held on July 9 at 
6.30 pm at VHA ground by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari will be the chief guest of the programme. 
Olympian and World Cup gold medalist Ashok Kumar, son of Major Dhyanchand, will be the special guest on the occasion.
Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule will be the guest of honour.
Nagpur Mayor Pravin Datke will preside over the programme.
On the occasion, Member of Parliament (MP) Ajay Sancheti, Padmashree MP Vikas Mahatme,  MLAs Nago Ganar, Jogendra Kawade, Anil Sole, Prakash Gajbhiye, Girish Vyas, Sudhakar Deshmukh, Krishna Khopde, Vikas Kumbhare, Sudhakar Kohale, Dr Milind Mane, Deputy Mayor Satish Holay, Standing Committee Chairman Sudhir (Bandu) Raut, Ruling Party Leader Dayashankar Tiwari, Opposition Leader Vikas Thakre, Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, VHA President Radheshyam Sarda, Gautam Patil, Kishor Kumeria, Rahul Telang, Shravan Khapekar, Sumitra Jadhav, Lata Yadav, Ramnath Sonwane, Seema Raut, Raju Lokhande, Aslam Khan, Sunil Agrawal, Munna Pokulwar, Sunil Agrawal, Ravindra Kumbhare, Dr Rizwan Siddique and others will also remain prominently present.
This will be the first square in the city to be named after Dhyanchand, who has won three Olympic gold medals for India.
The decision was taken during the special meeting of NMC in the month of March. The proposal, to name the square after the most decorated hockey player of the country Dhyanchand, was put forth by former Deputy Mayor Ganesh ‘Munna’ Pokulwar in February, 2016. 
Vidarbha Hockey Association has requested all the school,
colleges, clubs and institutions 
to attend the function in large numbers.

‘An outstanding player, an outstanding person’

Sports Reporter
Nagpur, July 3

THE passing away of Sanjay Joshi, a former Vidarbha and Customs and Central Excise hockey player, at the age of 55 years has shocked the hockey fraternity of the city.
Joshi, who was also ex-vice president of VHA, breathed his last on Sunday evening at a city hospital. An excellent hockey player, Joshi was part of Nagpur University team that qualified for the All India Inter-University Tournament for the first time in 1982 after they won the West Zone title.
He also led Vidarbha hockey team in several national level tournaments and carved a niche for himself. Joshi also captained Customs and Central Excise team for several years. 
A tall and robust defender, he was hard to tackle. Joshi’s rasping carpet driven hits were unstoppable. 
While taking penalty corners, Customs and Central Excise team used to depend heavily on Joshi. He was equally brilliant while defending the short corners.
Former Vidarbha Hockey Association secretary, Vinod Gawai, who was also team-mate of Joshi, was shocked to hear the news.
“He was an outstanding person and also an outstanding player. I am very shocked,” said Gawai, who played with Joshi for several years. “He was our captain and was very sincere. Even after he hanged his boots we treated him as captain. Still, he is captain for us,” said Gawai.
VHA vice-president TN Sidhra termed Joshi’s demise as a personal loss. “I had very cordial and personal relations with Sanjay and his family. It’s a big loss for me personally,” said Sidhra.
Joshi later switched to golf and was successful in it, too, winning a few trophies.

VHA astro turf dream caught in red-tape

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, June 18, 2016
HOCKEY players’ dream of playing on an astro turf in Nagpur will take a few more years to become reality. After all the steps taken by the game’s governing body, Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), to bring astro turf on its playfield off Amravati Road the proposal is caught in bureaucratic 
red-tape.
Hockey players in the region have been deprived of astro turf since last five decades. VHA did take positive steps through its previous body led by BC Bhartia and Vinod Gavai. The good work was carried forward by the present body headed by Radheshyam Sarda. 
As per the process the association submitted proposals to the District Sports Office and other concerned government departments. Letters and proposals were drafted and dispatched to Maharashtra Government in January which recommended financial grant for the project to the Union Sports Ministry.
The School Education and Sports Department, Government of Maharashtra, on April 22, forwarded VHA’s proposal to the Ministry of Youth Affairs 
and Sports, New Delhi requesting them to grant 100 per cent financial assistance for Synthetic playing surface under Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS).
“Please refer to the proposal of Vidarbha Hockey Association, Nagpur for granting 100% financial assistance for Synthetic Playing Surface Under Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) forwarded herewith. 
You are requested to sanction the said proposal,” the letter, signed by SN Joshi, Under Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra, stated.
However, the proposal is now caught in the proverbial bureaucratic red-tape and yet to see light of the day. The elevation of then Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as Chief Minister of Assam further added to the hurdle.
VHA President Sarda said a VHA representative had met Sonowal a couple of days before Assam elections but after that the process came to a grinding halt.
“On our behalf MP Ajay Sancheti had met Sonowal a few days before Assam elections. Sonowal had assured to speed up the matter. Call it our bad luck, he was elected as the Chief Minister of Assam and the Sports Minister’s post got vacant,” Sarda told ‘The Hitavada’.
“We are continuously following up on the issue,” he added.
“Once funds are granted then we can make a speedy progress. After Central Government grants us the desired fund their officials would prepare a blue print for astro turf,” Sarda informed.
VHA officials have now decided to meet Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to press for their demands.
If everything goes as scheduled, Fadnavis and Gadkari are likely to make an announcement 
on astro turf when they attend the function to name a square after hockey legend 
Major Dhyanchand in the last week of June.
“We had requested Nagpur Municipal Corporation to name Patrakar Colony square after Major Dhyanchand. Mayor Pravin Datke accepted our request and the function is likely to be held on June 26. CM Fadnavis and Gadkari both will remain present during the programme. We would request the ministers to speed up the matter,” said Sarda.
The VHA officials and hockey players are banking on Gadkari and Fadnavis’ commitment towards developing sports in Vidarbha region. In April both the top leaders had assured full support to sportsmen in the region while handing over land for SAI regional centre at Wathoda.
Lack of astro turf has badly affected development of the game in the region. In this year’s national tournaments organised by Hockey India in various age groups, city players moved to other states where they got chance to practice and 
play on astro turf. Several 
local players represented Hockey Maharashtra, Mumbai,Chhattisgarh and Manipur.
“We hardly get a chance to play on astro turf. There is no turf in entire Vidarbha whereas today’s hockey is played on turf all over the world,” one of the players lamented.
“More players would move away if the situation does not change,” he added.
The players are now hoping for the two big politicians from city to free their dream from bureaucratic shackles.