Chandigarh, Tuesday, March 30, 1999
Chandigarh, Tuesday, March 30, 1999 |
Academy at Anandpur Sahib Anwar completes 6000 runs |
Overage malady in Indian
sport
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Academy at
Anandpur Sahib ANANDPUR SAHIB of Punjab will make its debut in the world sport, with a sports academy named Dashmesh Academy of Martial Sports to commemorate the 300th year of the birth of Khalsa in April this year. The place is getting a massive uplift. “The academy is the brainchild of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab and we are determined to complete it by September this year”, said Ms Vini Mahajan IAS and Chief Administrator of ASUDA (Anandpur Sahib Urban Development Authority), the nodal agency of this project. Ms Mahajan further disclosed that tentative proposal was put in April last year and finally approved in August. The execution of works relating to this Rs 14 crore project has been entrusted to the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA). The disciplines planned include shooting archery judo/karate, kabaddi, horse riding, fencing, wrestling, for which this region has a great potential. All these have been given clearance by committee of experts in the field of sports. When asked why Anandpur Sahib was chosen, Ms Mahajan, said that the tenth Guru had advocated proficiency of martial sports in the form of Gatka then at Anandpur Sahib for individual protection. Now new sports have come up and all have been included in the academy. Ms Mahajan who is the Managing Director, Punjab Tourism Development Corporation and also Chief Executive Officer of Anandpur Sahib Foundation opined that at the academy students can avail of excellent educational facilities at nearby Dashmesh School. When asked about the financing of this huge project, she said that the entire cost will be met through the Planning Commission and Rs. 8.5 crore has already released. Spread in 38.2 acres it would have an academy block, hostel staff quarters, Mess block, stables, guest house. The fully air conditioned multi-purpose 122’x122’ gymnasium hall will conform to international standards and have facilities for indoor games like badminton, table tennis, etc. The hostel would be able to accommodate more than 100 students at a time. The aim of starting the academy is to provide (a) long term courses for the professionals who take admission to Dashmesh Academy (b) short term courses for 15-30 days for all model and Government schools in Punjab for basic orientation, (c) summer courses for those desirous to avail such facility. Another aspect of the academy would be to teach meditation and yoga to trainees who come for any kind of course. Though Gatka, is also planned, yet the disciplines at national level would be encouraged. A local architect of Chandigarh, Satnam Namita and Associates, have been engaged for the design and the work is going on a war footing. Each discipline would have 20 students and all kinds of facilities with specialised coaching will be made available. Ms Mahajan asserted that Mr Badal had taken this bold initiative of encouraging sports it was bound to yield results. She said, the Planning
Commission liked the idea of having many sport
disciplines under one roof, which paved the way for their
funding this entire multi-crore project. Initially all
the top echelons of Punjab bureaucracy, such as Mr I.S.
Bindra, an able sports organiser and Housing Secretary
had given the go ahead for this project and now the onus
of completing it within a stipulated time lies with Ms
Mahajan, who has also been entrusted with major works of
the terecentenary celebrations. PUDA engineers are
working on adhered time schedule, said one of the
Executive Engineers connected with the project. Though, a
consultant is yet to be appointed, the pace of work is
going on smoothly at the site and by September, the
sports fraternity of Punjab will be a happy lot. The
academy will be given the best sports administration and
coaches, to run it in an result oriented manner, said Ms
Mahajan. It may also become one of the venues for the
National Games to be hosted by Punjab in 2000. What is
heartening is that in other parts of the country private
enterprises had come forward to float academies for
different games but the Centre had funded the project in
Punjab, which had the potential and talent to produce
international sport stars. |
Anwar
completes 6000 runs Opening batsman Saeed Anwar has become the third Pakistani after Javed Miandad and Salim Malik and the 13th batsman in the history of one-day internationals to complete 6000 runs. He achieved this feat during his 95-run knock in the third Pepsi Cup match against India at Jaipur on March 24, 1999. It was the 162nd innings of his 164th one day international match. The list of 13 batsman who have completed 6000 runs in one dayers include three each from Australia, West Indies and Pakistan and two each from India and Sri Lanka. Anwar is the joint third with Desmond Haynes in terms of reaching the milestone in the least number of innings. Vivian Richards who completed his 6000 runs in 141 innings of his 156th match hold the record of reaching the milestone in the least number of innings of followed by Dean Jones — 157 innings from 160 matches. He has easily beaten the Pakistani record held by his present team coach Javed Miandad Javed, who played 175 innings to reach this landmark. At 30 years and 200 days, Saeed Anwar is the second youngest after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve this milestone. Tendulkar was 24 years and 265 days old when he completed his 6000 runs. Saeed Anwar who was born on September 6, 1968, at Karachi, and made his international debut against West Indies at Perth on January 1, 1989. He completed his 1000 runs against the West Indies at Sharjah on October 29, 1993 in the 37th innings of his 38th one day international match. In the Ist innings of his 62nd one dayer against Australia at Multan on October 14, 1994 Saeed Anwar completed his 2000 runs. At Sharjah on April 12, 1996 against India Saeed Anwar, completed his 3000 runs during his 44-run knock. It was his 92nd innings in his 93rd one day international match. The master batsman entered the 4000-run club during his 54-run knock against New Zealand at Sharjah on November 13, 1996. It was the 113rd innings of his 114th one day international match. Saeed Anwar’s 5000 runs came in the 138 innings of his 140th match against England at Sharjah on December 15, 1997. Sharjan Cricket Stadium
is the good hunting ground for this left handed opening
batsman who holds the records of highest individuals
score, 194 vs India at Chennai on May 21, 1997, in one
dayers. He made 1553 runs at 45.67 with seven centuries
and four fifties in 36 matches at Sharjah. |
Overage
malady in Indian sport THE recently concluded Vijay Merchant Trophy, for cricketers below 16 years, saw a rush of protests from coaches and managers of every participating team, blowing the whistle on their counterparts for loading their teams with overage players. The practice of fielding overage competitors has become a rule rather than an exception. From the numerous complaints regarding flouting of age limit norms in all national level tournaments, whatever the discipline may be, it can be safely surmised that this malady has spread its tentacles wide and deep and is eating into the very ethos of sport in India. This bizzare attitude of sportspersons trying to participate in the lower age categories is a sure pointer to the fact that sport in India suffers more from shrinking moral and ethical values rather than any lack of genius or infrastructure. In fact, cases of forgery in age certificates has also come to light. What is appealing in this snowballing development is the active involvement of parents, coaches, heads of institutions and most regrettably the municipal authorities empowered to prepare age certificates. Some young sportspersons have two to three sets of different age certificates. During the Vijay Merchant Trophy at Patiala, a cricketer from Uttar Pradesh, who was instrumental in taking his team to the final, unabashed showed three different age certificates — one issued by the head of his school, the other two issued by two different municipal corporations — all citing the same particulars but different dates of birth. Obviously, the motivating force is the lust for victory and the honours that go with it. Yet, somehow, these starry-eyed youngsters are oblivious of the fact that they are pulling the wool over their own eyes. The end results do not always measure in the same way. An overage player, armed with a ‘manufactured’ certificate, participating in a lower-age category, performs better than the rest, but the value of this is exaggerated to a large extent. When the same player moves over to the upper-age category, he is trapped in a morass of his own making, for competition becomes stiff and disillusionment sets in. Examples abound of many young sportspersons, labelled ‘prodigies’ simply fading into oblivion after having raised a glimmer of hope early in their careers. At the Junior National Basketball Meet held at Patiala last year a staggering 178 cagers out of 220 were found to be overage after being medically examined by the NIS doctors. It has come to light that efforts to curb this malady have been made ever since it was detected, but unfortunately no simple formulae, can be devised. Medical tests, at random or en-masse, present their own set of problems. Moreover, the process of medically screening competitors, a part from being time-consuming, is too byzantine and complex. A unit hosting a national level competition has neither the time nor the wherewithal to do a thorough job of it. Then, the fear of getting embroiled in a controversy also haunts the organisers. Propounded by medical experts and sports scientists, a school of thought has emerged which suggests winding up of age-group competitions. Genius flourishes under any category. Competition should be based on a criteria, other than age certificates. Qualitatively, degree of skill based on categorisation of age has not helped. Sachin Tendulkar was 16-year-old when he made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1989. At 21, Tiger Patuadi found himself leading men much older than him under the Carribean sun in 1961. The youthful exuberance of Prakash Padukone was all too evident when he won the All-England title in 1974. Everything boils down to the fact that where gradation is the only condition for growth or rather for seeking preferential treatment in professional colleges, the remedy lies somewhere else. Any law or rule may not
help eradicate this evil. Indeed, what is needed is a
genuine change of heart towards the rules of age-limit
competitions. But then, the moot question is who will
bell the cat? Will it be the parents, heads of
institutions, coaches or their municipal authorities? It
is anybody’s guess. The sooner it happens the better
it will be for Indian sport, which after the Bangkok
Asiad is supporting a refreshed and rejuvenated look. |
Good response by ‘freshers’ The Haryana Golf Association, formed recently at Chandigarh, conducted a superb competition at Gurgaon’s Classic Golf Resort recently. Participants some of them ‘freshers’ showed unprecedented enthusiasm in playing a round of 18 holes. Judging from their handicaps, the general standard was quite satisfactory although almost all of them were making their debut on the course which, according to experts, is unquestionably the best in this part of the country. Those, including foreigners, feel that they have landed into another country when they get on to the course. The set-up, architectural beauty, fairways, a 22-yard deep lake and many other innovations provide an extraordinary feeling. But the distance from Delhi and adjoining areas is virtually ‘killing’. After a day’s hectic, but exciting round, causes hardship when the participants are caught in traffic jam on the way back from Gurgaon. The approach road to the course has been improved, but it is still hazardous enough to cause concern to participants. About 60 Haryana participants had no such worry as they were lodged in Gurgaon. Ms Goel, a lone woman participant, showed what a fine striker of the ball she was. The organisers, full of keenness and enthusiasm, have many schemes up their sleeves. One of them is to provide facilities to youngsters. Golf is catching. The more facilities are provided to youngsters the better will be the standard. Aravali course in Faridabad has undergone further improvements. It will shortly be one of the sought-after courses. The membership for the club has increased manifold. Facilities at other courses in the state have been considerably improved. Noida Women Noida women became the first to organise an all-women tournament at the course. The response from several clubs, like the Delhi Golf Club and Army Golf Club, was extremely satisfactory. Maybe, other clubs will organise similar kinds of competitions. The general standard of women in the country has not been as high as it should be because players, senior and young, have not been provided enough facilities and exposure within India and abroad. The Indian team for the Sirikit Tournament, for example, would not have taken part but for timely help from Indian Oil. It is difficult to understand as the why Indian Golf Union (IGU) is wary of providing facilities to women competitors. The IGU is an apex body in the country. But it does not seem to care for its reputation. This was second time it had failed in organising the Indian Open satisfactorily. Last year also there were many complaints. This time, the media centre at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) did not have the facilities befitting the status and stature of the prestigious tournament. The IGU has got to broadbase its constitution. Let genuine golf ‘addicts’ hold important and key positions in the union instead of ‘bestowing’ these offices to men who are no more than mere industrialists. It was great that a local youngster, Arjun Atwal, won the title. Rated one of the most outstanding players in the country, he is expected to perform creditably in competitions abroad. His victory was satisfying. But last year champion Feroz Ali’s failure to make the ‘cut’ came as a disappointment. He played extremely badly on the second day when he shot 10 over. Apart from these two people from Calcutta, who won on their home course, it was Ali Sher who won the title twice in 1991 and 1993 at his home course Delhi. Since then he has been in wilderness. But the competition has not been held at Delhi Golf Course since then. Change of venue Siel has not renewed its
contract with the Army Golf Club for the annual
professional tournament. It is now likely to be held at
Delhi Golf Club course, according to its captain Kittoo
Puri. The competition was a great success at the AGC and
should have been continued where it started five years
ago. Maybe the sponsors are looking for greater mileage. |
Hats off to Punjab hoopsters! Hats off to the Punjab basketball team for clinching the men’s national crown, at Sawai Man Singh Stadium at Jaipur. Punjab pipped Bihar to claim their sixth national title, dashing the defending champions hopes to record a hat-trick of titles. The real credit for this triumph goes to star players Vipin Kumar, Gagnesh Kumar Tejendar Jeet Singh, Satya Narayan, Gursharanjeet and above all international Parminder Singh (Sr). Their combined effort helped Punjab edge past Bihar for a superb win. The Punjab Government must now honour the hard working guys to encourage them and should also do its best to give them their due place in the national team as they have won laurels for the state. Games such as basketball should be given more attention. HARSUKH
MANJEET Indian victory India’s resounding 80-run win over Sri Lanka in their opening tie of the current triangular one-day series at Nagpur came as a consolation after the humiliation in the Asian Test Championship. The Indians really needed this type of win to show their ability. However, Sachin Tendulkar could not play due to his back injury, but the other top order batsmen proved that they could perform well and play confidently in his absence. It shows that India are not a one-man squad in batting. S.K.GULERIA Unfair selection The one-day cricket match held at Jaipur between India and Pakistan fully exposed the unfair selection of the Indian team. Azhar, Kumble and Mongia are spent forces. Such dead wood must be discarded before the next series at Sharjah. NATHA
SINGH Akram’s feat Three cheers to Pakistan pacer and captain Wasim Akram for achieving a unique feat ! First he has become the only bowler in the 123-year-old. Test cricket history to record two hattricks in successive Test matches. Secondly, he has joined the select band of those who claimed double hattricks i.e. Trumble (1901 & 1903) and T.J.Mathews (1912), Thirdly, in the recently played Asian Test Championship, he emerged as the only player to claim two hattricks. Akram has also become the first ever skipper of any Test playing team to win triangular Test cricket series. ASHOK A drama I watched the last league match of the Asian Test Championship with great interest and found that it was only a drama enacted to oust India from the finals. MANMEET
PANNU Sarfraz’s outburst Sarfraz Nawaz’s recent outburst against Sunil Gavaskar in a recently televised interview stunned the cricketing world . Sarfraz is well known for his controversial statements. It is surprising why he remained mum for 20 years. The allegations have come when both India and Pakistan have started improving their cricketing relations. SUMAN
SALHOTRA Lara’s knock After having been thrashed in six consecutive Tests, West Indies rose like the Phoenix from the ashes to rout Australia by 10 wickets in the second Test of the four-match series. But the hero of the superb West Indian victory was their beleaguered captain Brian Lara whose magnificent 213 not only saved West Indies from another defeat, as they were reduced to 37 for 4, but also restored their pride to a large extent. Lara’s performance was indeed superb and it silenced his detractors. His scintillating knock enabled him to join the select band of cricketers who have passed the 200 mark thrice in Test cricket. By playing a brilliant innings Lara has proved that form is a temporary phenomenon while class is permanent. Brian Lara rightly gave the credit for the victory to Walsh and Ambrose. TARSEM
S. BUMRAH |
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