Indian football on ‘right track’
By Brinda Suri
BAICHUNG BHUTIA — just the name spells terror on the Indian football scene. Though a small man, from the hills of Sikkim, he has grown in stature over the past few years due to his skill and prowess on the football field. Today, he is the face of Indian football. He took a little time off after a gruelling practise session at the East Bengal Club, Calcutta, to share his views on the sport he loves “more than his life”.

Sport Mail

Football calendar needs restructuring
By Ramu Sharma

Immediately after the conclusion of the National Football League there occurred an event which is likely to have far-reaching consequences on the conduct and maybe even administration of the game in the country. This refers to the meeting of the clubs participating in the NLF and the suggestions and demands made by the representatives to improve the overall view of Indian football, both in terms of facilities as well as administration.

The 21-point formula as put up by the clubs pre-empts any suggestion of a rival organisation by stating that the whole exercise is being done with the aim of helping the All-India Football Federation to manage and market the sports more professionally. “ Nothing could be more honest in purpose and spirit. The AIFF has no reason to look for any hidden agenda in the demands.

A look at some of the demands or suggestions reveal that the clubs have been very practical in their approach and are demanding nothing more that an improvement in the steps already taken by the All-India Football Federation. It is of course quite possible that one of the demands pertaining to the involvement of clubs in the form of two representatives in all meetings of the AIFF in addition to a bi-annual meeting of the clubs to be convened by the AIFF may be construed to a call for a say in the overall running of the game.

On the face of it such a move may be very useful but obviously the clubs at the moment are only sending out feelers on the subject and only, as a first step to a more closely related association with the administration. And why not? After all there would be no federation without the clubs and players.

Increase in remuneration, distribution of gate money and better travel facilities to add to the repeated demand of conduct of the NFL on an home and away basis are but a reiteration of an age-old argument. The clubs have said nothing new except to give a wake-up call to the AIFF to do something about the outstanding issues.

Most of the demands appear to be linked to the disorderly fashion the National League has been conducted so far and particularly the latest edition which lost its momentum, or to put it bluntly, never was allowed to gather momentum, because of the haphazard way it was phased out. Not only the league, the whole programme was so badly planned and executed that the players were not sure what was really happening. The profusion of football in the first three months of the years left everyone at his wit’s end.

Just imagine the capsule scheduled. The National League first on home and away basis and then the second phase involving six teams playing first at Goa and then Calcutta. In between comes the National Games in Imphal and football has to be included as part of the multi-discipline extravaganza. And even before the National League is allowed to conclude, the federation starts and all but completes the National Football Championships for the Santosh Trophy.

Even if all the players involved in the National Football League did not take part in the drama at Imphal surely there was reason enough for some of them to aspire to help out their respective state teams in the nationals. But where was the time? Surely it takes more than a couple of days and one or two matches to strike a new combination? Playing for a club side and switching to make an effective combination in a State team takes time.

The surfeit of football in such a short time is understandable if the players were different. Unfortunately that was not the case. Too much of a good thing can sometimes be more harmful and negative. That is what happened to Indian football during the three months from January to March.

Considering the fact that football is now more professional in deed also and that players need to keep 100 per cent fit at all times, the All-India Football Federation may have just about taxed their energies a bit too much. Well meaning though the federation appears to be, there is need for rationalisation of the whole schedule.

The clubs representatives want a more professional approach and that is also the aim of the federation. It is only the means that is to be decided. Perhaps it would be better if the federation heeds to the request/demand of the clubs to invite the representatives for a discussion and come to an agreement suitable both to the AIFF and to the players. It is very important for the players to be involved in these discussions. After all they are the entertainers and money spinners.

The AIFF could and should do a rethink on the NLF. The fact that three editions of the league have not been able to present a possible final picture means that not all the basic issues have been addressed. One of them of course relates to the home-away theme. This proved a very successful theme in the first NLF where television also played a major role though in a limited way. The AIFF could revert to the format of the first NLF with an improved television involvement.

In actual fact the inaugural championship was the best run of the three editions and the AIFF should have stuck to the format and implemented the formula of relegation and promotion without making any excuses. Unfortunately that did not happen. Once it strayed from the set course, the blunders multiplied and the result was an unmanageable third edition, the latest one.

Once the AIFF decides to be firm about relegation and promotion most of the problems will be sorted out on their own. The other thing which the AIFF could do is to run the second division league simultaneously. It need not be on an home and away basis but it could be run at two centres or may be three, finishing just about the same time as the senior league. This would require a more efficient administration but would certainly save time.

This brings us to the conduct of the Santosh Trophy. Unlike the way it was done this year, there should be a gap of at least a month between the end of the NLF Leagues (senior and junior) and the Santosh Trophy to be able to allow the players to adjust to the requirements of pattern of play followed by their States. In this respect the AIFF would do well to concede to the demand of the clubs that the league be completed between October and December.

The league in the first phase of the winter followed by the Santosh Trophy in mid-January or February would leave the federation time to conduct the Scissors Cup and even ask DCM to revive its popular tournament, generally held in-October-December, but now facing difficulties in getting dates.

Once the AIFF rationalises the schedule of national league-tournaments, the other associated problems, projected by the clubs would not be as difficult to solve. More importantly, and once the AIFF agrees to allow clubs, representatives to attend meetings, the more vexed problems of transfers and foreign imports could be decided across the table. The clubs and the players have said what they had to. The ball is in the AIFF’s court.

Indian football on ‘right track’
By Brinda Suri

BAICHUNG BHUTIA — just the name spells terror on the Indian football scene. Though a small man, from the hills of Sikkim, he has grown in stature over the past few years due to his skill and prowess on the football field. Today, he is the face of Indian football. He took a little time off after a gruelling practise session at the East Bengal Club, Calcutta, to share his views on the sport he loves “more than his life”.

Q: As a career option, how did you choose football over other sport like cricket, for example, which has a lot of glamour attached to it?

A: The environment in Sikkim, where I was born and brought up, is such. Football is a passion in the state. Everyone loves the sport. I too have been playing right from junior school. So it was always just football for me.

Q: Who were your idols?

A: When I started playing I was not aware about the world of football outside my state. Leave alone international soccer, I was not even exposed to the game in the other parts of the country. It were just my instincts for the game that I always followed. I loved playing and had great fun always.

Q: Tell us about your initial training?

A: In school we initially just used to kick around. In 1986, when I was 10 years old, we got a SAI coach from Maharashtra who honed our skill. It was then I decided it was going to be only football for me.

Q: Who helped you shape your career?

A: My father was always there to encourage me and then my uncle was good at the sport and helped me a lot to improve my game. In 1993 Basak Ganguly game me a big break by signing me up for East Bengal.

Q: After East Bengal in was JCT. How was your stint with the Phagwara outfit?

A: It was the best year career-wise. We were a pack of good guys which led to a strong team. It was great playing with them as each one was talented. It has really done me a world of good. I learnt as well as enjoyed a lot.

Q: Why do you think JCT split?

A: It was a team that consisted of players from all regions. So after that stint many wanted to move back, and then other clubs, like in my case East Bengal, offered better deals.

Q: Where does Indian football stand today? How would you rate it on the Asian scene?

A: Indian football is just beginning to walk. Although we are moving at a slow pace, at least we have a direction now. We are also experimenting which is a good sign if we have to develop the sport. But as far as the Asian scene is concerned we are pretty bad. This is so because in most nations around the world football is the first game-their first love. Everyone is involved in the game and in such as environment a sport develops.

Q: In this regard the national league system should provide the answers.

A: Definitely. It has, in fact, already started showing results. Besides giving players a lot of experience it has generated interest in the game in all parts of the country. It is great to see the younger generation just having fun with a football. Earlier one did not get to see that.

Q: How would you rate your performance in tournaments?

A: Just average. I have a lot to learn. What I plan to do many a times does not materialise. So the regret of not achieving perfection while playing a certain shot is there. I am always trying to improve to give the best for my club and country.

Q: What lacks Indian sport? Do you think it is the infamous killer instinct problem or is it that we are not dedicated enough?

A: No, I think we have the dedication and the drive to perform well. The basic flaw is our haphazard training system. It has to be, and I emphasise, more focused and scientific. Our output is very less compared to our input. It is not that just by running, running, running we will become better. We have to modify our fitness programme. In fact players put in a lot of hard work but are not getting the results. This is when frustration sets in.

Q: Are the foreign imports, mainly Nigerians, too hyped? There was a lot of rumbling among players that they are paid more than they deserve. Comment.

A: No I do not think they are too hyped. They have performed well. Obviously they are not the best in their country so they are here but then the standard of football in those countries is very high so their coming can only benefit us.

Q: You are today the face of Indian football. How do you feel about it?

A: If somebody gets inspiration due to me and if football is in the limelight on the national scene due to that I feel very happy for the sport. Also, when I see 10 kids playing football after having drawn inspiration from me it is a great feeling. It is very satisfying.

Q: How do you react to this stardom?

A: I do not feel very different. I am the same person but not people look at me differently. The only thing is a lot of my time is taken up by other activities like sponsorship contracts and public appearances. That leaves very little time for the family. I manage to go to Sikkim for only 20 days in a year.

Q: How do you spend your leisure time?

A: I like listening to music. Savage Garden is one of my favourite groups. I like songs from Hindi films especially the ones sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Watching comedies is another very good way to relax.

Q: Which is your favourite ground?

A: Salt Lake Stadium.

Q: Have you got offers from other Asian clubs?

A: I got offers from Indonesian and Malaysian clubs but they were not very attractive.

Q: Any favourite players now and which team do you back?

A: I admire Zidane and Ronaldo. In fact every World Cup throws up new players. As a team I think Holland are very good. I like their style of play. They are fast and classy.

by K. R. Wadhwaney
Exploits of young caddy-golfer

THE Delhi Golf Club (DGC) President, Mr Som Datt, may not be a sophisticated bureaucrat or an affluent industrialist, but he is a ‘builder’ who thinks about the “good health and welfare” of golf in Delhi in particular and in the country in general.

The DGC President showed that he believed in nurturing talent when he presented a cheque for Rs 10,000 to a young caddy-golfer Shamim Khan for his stupendous performance in the recently concluded SRF open.

Mr Som Datt reacted spontaneously as he came to know htat Shamim, one of the most promising golfers, had fired seven under 65 in the first round and again two under 70 on the second day. He finished joint fourth among a galaxy of star Indian professionals. It was a tremendous performance for a youngster.

There was visible concern among all present when Bharat Ram, one of the senior-most golfers, revealed that Shamim’s performance was all the more praiseworthy as he was not ‘allowed’ to practice on the ‘A’ course. Bharat Ram went on to say that he would take up with the DGC management for providing all the facilities to Shamim and other highly promising golfers to play on the ‘A’ course so that they were able to develop their technique and skill.

A good striker of the ball, Shamim is also steady in chipping and putting. The seasoned pros in the competition had all praise for his style, technique and temperament. Guided by Santosh, young Shamim was recently presented “first set” clubs by Pankaj Munjal, unquestionably the most devoted promoter-sponsor of sports, particularly of golf. Shamim was again presented ‘Calloway clubs’ by Munjal.

Another course

Another 27-hole course on the Delhi-Gurgaon highway has been planned by the Haryana Tourism chief, Mr S.K. Misra. A renowned foreign golf architect has already approved of the site and designs will soon be made for the work to start on the course.

Nine of the 27-hole course will be retained by the Haryana authorities for its own promotional activities. The remaining 18-hole course will be utilised on “corporate” basis.

Those, who are keenly watching the development of golf in this part of the country, feel that this course will be exceedingly popular because it will be ideally located.

While the Classic Golf Resort, though in the interior of Gurgaon, is functioning smoothly, another golf course, 18-hole, at DLF will soon start operating. It is a well-designed and well-planned out course. If proximity to the course is any consideration, it will again be very popular for people of Delhi.

With tremendous development on the Army Golf Course, under the care of Col Abhai Singh, Aravalli Course at Faridabad and also NOIDA course, the congestion on the DGC course is expected to reduce. What is of great significance is that the concept for golf has caught on intensely and many schoolboys and girls have been attracted to the discipline, which was considered for ‘only oldies’ not long ago.

Grand success

The second India-Australia Friendship Cup as ‘Friendship to Faiway’ was a grand success at the Delhi Golf Club course recently. Played on stableford format, it was of little consequence who won or who did not. But more than 200 golfers, belonging to different walks of life, played furiously. Many of them displayed enthusiasm as if they were engaged in playing a high prize-money professional competition.

In these kinds of ‘fun’ competitions, which are gaining in popularity, some youngsters should be invited to take part. The more exposure youngsters get, the better will be for the game.

Unfortunate accident

‘Tiger outfits outstanding golf writer Joy Chakravarty, had a providential escape the other day. The ‘leakage’ of gas saw him suffer from ‘burn’ injuries. This was when the SRF competition was in progress.

Joy, who feeds the media with the competition copy of the tournaments, run under the aegis of the Professional Golfers Association of India (PGAI) and Tiger Sports, was immediately hospitalised.

All golfers, particularly professionals, and mediapersons are hoping for his speedy recovery.

Sport Mail
Bengal’s title win praiseworthy

HATS off to Bengal for winning the prestigious Santosh Trophy for the sixth time in a row by beating Goa in the final at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. This was their 29th title win in 39 appearances in the final since 1941-42. Incidentally, Bengal had lifted the title five times in a row on three earlier occasions. The real credit for the win goes to star players like Baichung Bhutia, Raman Vijayan, Dipendu Biswas, Chapman and Mondal and above all superb coach Sudip Chatterjee who prepared the boys to dribble their way to an honourable victory.

H.S DIMPLE
Jagraon

Lack of confidence
India have been defeated by Pakistan in four matches (Jaipur, SAS Nagar, Bangalore and Sharjah) in succession. Interestingly India were defeated by more than 100 runs in three of these matches. The Indian players are afraid of playing the pace of Shoib Akhtar and Wasim Akram. At Sharjah, in their first match against Pakistan, India played as if they were playing a five-day match. If they cannot win, at least they should know how to get defeated respectfully. The Indian cricket team lacks in confidence and fighting spirit. I think they are more comfortable when advertising for Coca Cola, Pepsi and Close-Up. With such a performance and attitude towards the game, we don’t expect even a respectable defeat for the present Indian team in the forthcoming World Cup in England.

BAHL MUNISH
Panchkula

II

Our cricket team has been exposed by Pakistan in the recently conducted Pepsi cricket series. To avoid unnecessary tension and bitterness, the Indian government must take the lead to protect our cricket team from merciless, beating at the hands of Pakistan. In the coming days if a Simla type agreement is signed between India and Pakistan, India must insist on adding one clause which should read: “In all one-day international matches between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan cricket team will always do its best not to defeat India by huge margins. If Pakistan make 250 or more runs in the stipulated 50 overs by batting first, India will be given 75 overs to reach the target.”

SUSHANT BAJAJ
Abohar

III

India’s poor performance in the recently concluded Pepsi Cup against Pakistan was really surprising. The Indian players were not looking for victory. On the other hand the Pakistanis did their job perfectly after winning the tour. Only Jadeja showed the ability to play will under pressure. It is time to formulate a plan and not to panic. In the final at Bangalore we were out played in batting, bowling and fielding. Since the World Cup is fast approaching and the 15-member squad for the same has been selected, it is high time that our players are given some rest. In the recent past we have lost many matches which we could have won easily won. The most important part of the game is fielding. Only one or two good fielders cannot work all the time and win matches for us. So it’s time to rethink.

NAVEEN ARORA
Solan

Windies’ win
Heartiest congratulations to West Indies for winning the third Test against Australia. It seems as if West Indies are regaining their strength both in bowling as well as in batting. Australia made 490 in their first innings putting a lot of pressure on the opposition. But West Indian bowlers, especially Courtney Walsh, put Windies on top and once again Lara’s knock took away the game from Australia. I hope injured batsman Chanderpaul and Hooper are back soon. This will not only increase the confidence of the team but will raise the hopes for the approaching World Cup.

MANMEET PANNU
Amritsar

Lalitha Kumara
Congratulations to 20-year old Lalitha Kumara of Sri Lanka for winning the All-India Amateur Golf Championship at Chandigarh. The young Sri Lankan from Royal Colombo Golf Club, who has been in the game for almost five years played aggressive golf throughout and remained in the business of making pars even when birdies eluded his putter. Lalitha pipped Sheeraz Kalra to pick up the trophy. Kumara, who lifted the trophy at the 98th All India Amateur Championship emerged as the best player. It is a pity that the games like golf are not given adequate exposure. More competitions should be held and the players should be encouraged.

Dr H.S SAINBHY
Patiala