A lot needs to be done to raise Indian football standards: Bhaichung Bhutia

When one talks of Indian football, the name that automatically come into the one’s thought is Bhaichung Bhutia. The Indian skipper has for long been the torchbearer for the people’s game in the country. ‘The Sikkimese Sniper’ even busier these days apart from his footballing career as he attempts to do some ‘cha-cha’ in a reality dance show. Amongst all the humdrum, Bhaichung Bhutia speaks to ADC on football and more.


Q. What attracted you to the game of football which is not so much popular in India?
A: It was the environment in Sikkim. The game was very popular back there. Hence, I took up the game.

Q. When people come up to you and called you ‘the Sachin Tendulkar of Indian football’ - how do you react to such statements?
A: I think there will always be comparisons. At the end of the day, if I need to play I need to work hard. It all comes down to me.

Q. Last year was a very fruitful year for Indian football. India won the AFC Challenge Cup and qualified for the 2011 Asia Cup. Your thoughts.
A: It has been a great year. The way it has been for the last one-two years, it has been fantastic. The problem is that we don’t build up after that, which is the biggest setback. Even after the AFC Cup we played only one match in between and there are no international matches. So that is a very sad affair.

Q. Coach Bob Houghton has been talking about India's possibility of playing the 2018 World Cup. Do you think that's possible? What should be the roadmap India should follow?
A: I don’t know what Bob has said. But if we have to be there then we will have to start working on the infrastructure and youth development programme and then take a realistic look at it. Right now we don’t have any such programmes so it will be difficult to put a dateline to it.

Q. Do you think that the Indian team is unable to play international matches due to the prolonged domestic season?
A: Citing the current calendar it is not possible. I think we tend to focus a lot on the domestic season, which is a nice thing but at the same time we need to make sure our national team gets enough chance.

Q. Indian players, of late, have been linked with several clubs abroad. Sunil Chhetri even had a trial at Coventry. Do you think it would benefit Indian football in any way? Will the popularity of the I-League go down if the league is robbed of its star names?
A: I think the game will still go on. With me being there or not or Sunil or Steven or not, it won’t take away from the game its sheen. It won’t affect Indian football in any way.

Q. You were the first Indian to be signed with the English Premier League. What was the difference playing with FC Bury and Penang FC?
A: It was a very turning experience. The biggest football is in Europe and in England. To be a part of it and witness the infrastructure and the system, it was a different experience. In England it’s very physical and the pace is fast as compared to the Asian clubs.

Q. You have been one of the most consistent players in the Indian circuit. What does it take to be there on top?
A: It’s about enjoying the game and keep working hard and wanting to win more matches. It’s the hunger to win, hunger to want more.

Q. Where do you see Indian football heading in the distant future?
A: I only hope that it goes in the right direction. Things are looking good but we have got to work on it. There are a lot of things to be done.

Q. Will you be playing in the 2011 Asia Cup?
A: It is a very difficult to answer right now. I may or may not.

Q. You married your long time girl friend Madhuri Tipnis? How has life changed for you since then?
A: Life changes because family becomes the priority, even sometimes before the game as well.

Q. Recently you took off your soccer shoes and put on your dancing shoes.
A: It’s been a great experience with ‘Jhalak Dikhlaja III’. Dancing is difficult in front of the live audience than playing football in a stadium. It was good that I didn’t miss the steps because it is very tough. You got to follow the wordings, the music and also the steps. It’s too many things that one mind has to do.

Highest Moment – Winning the AFC Cup 2008
Lowest Moment – Not winning the I League last year

Favourite Fives
Footballer: Diego Maradona
Club: Arsenal
Car: Honda Civic
Actor: Al Pacino
Music: Music is open

- NEIL JOSHI
-

BADSHAHS of Bhiwani!!!

BY NEIL JOSHI

Much was expected from the boxers in Beijing after they reached the quarter finals but only Vijender Singh returned with the bronze while Jitender and Akhil Kumar won hearts with their resilience and character shown in the ring. Akhil, who lost in the quarters, defeated the world champion Sergey Vodopyanov in the round of 16 which brought the champion to tears. But something was missing and they found the missing element when they went to Moscow and conquered the bronze medals in the AIBA World Cup to end 2008 on a high.

Fly-weight category pugilist Jitender Kumar won convincingly 18-6 against Jo Gage of Wales while Akhil Kumar put up a strong fight against Olympic silver medallist Leon Alarcon Yankiel in the semis. Akhil, who had made it to the Beijing Olympics quarterfinal, fought bravely in the 54-kg (bantamweight) category. Akhil and Cuban Yankiel were tied 4:4 but the latter was declared the winner on countback.

But their success story goes back in time when Akhil Kumar’s brother Shailendra who urged the Gurgaon boy to pick up an individual sport like boxing rather than waste his time in playing cricket in the alleys. “The entire day I used to play cricket. Then my brother told me that if I wanted to do anything then I should pick up an individual sport. Since I used to box a little, he told me to take up to boxing.”

But there was a roadblock as boxing required the permission of a jail warden of Rohtak Jail – his father who along with the rest of his family opposed, as that meant that their son would come home with black eyes, scars and swollen cheekbones. “My mother used to fear a lot when I sometimes came home with black eyes. She didn’t want me to take up boxing. It was my brother who convinced them. I didn’t like to study, so along with boxing I participated in stage shows,” said Akhil.

Jitender Kumar, the cousin of Akhil – his entry in to the sport was quite natural and was guided at every step by Akhil himself. “He told me to take up the sport and my family supported Akhil’s decision. He is everything for me.”

Jitender’s big breakthrough was when he impressed the selectors during the trials for the Commonwealth Games in 2006 where he fought against Mohammed Ali Qamar and Balbir Singh. “I threw enough punches at them to impress the selectors,” said Jitender.

Akhil mentioned that he experienced so much pain during the training that he eventually fell in love with it. “I just loved the pain. After a hard day’s work, the sleep you got them was simply indescribable. I was at peace with it.”

Akhil Kumar, an ardent movie buff was so much impressed with the movie ‘Boxer’ that he borrowed some of the moves made by actor Mithin Chakraborty in the film. . “I love the ‘Rocky’ movies and my favourite is ‘Rocky 4’… it’s just so motivating. ‘Rocky’ motivated the middle class because he also was of the same background and gave us a reason to dream big. But Mithun’s movie taught me a couple of moves which till today I use with great success.”

Jitender, who always wanted to be a cop just like his father who was a ‘siphai’ in the army, took up the job of the DSP rather joining the railways. “My father was the ‘sipahi’ in the army and now I become the DSP. The feeling is totally different. Even the Railways have offered me a post but I have always wanted to be a cop.”

Fame has not changed either of them, feels Akhil, except for that occasional burger at the McDonalds. “The only difference is that we are known to people and eat at places like McDonalds. We are still the same inside.” But both the boxers have decided in competing in a higher weight category and have begun training. Both of them travelled to South Africa with their physio for endurance and strength training. “I felt that I was lacking in endurance and technique so I learnt a lot out there,” said Jitender.
Both of them are eyeing the medal in next year’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi. “Nothing is impossible. We will work hard and get the gold for India,” he added.

Akhil who is regarded as the one who groomed pugilists like Jitender and Vijender downplays such statements. “I am not the master of anybody’s destiny. Vijender and Jitu chose to be what they wanted. I was just there to guide them.”

I want to win an Olympic gold: Saina Nehwal

Sania Nehwal broke the barriers of Indian badminton and strode into the top ten, making her the first female in India to conquer such an glory. Being named as the most promising player of 2008, she is definitely India’s medal prospect for the Commonwealth Games 2010 and the London Olympics in 2012. She speaks to Neil Joshi about her her quest for India’s first Olympic gold in badminton.

Q. The year 2008 was the best year so far in your career. Can you sum it up?
A: It was a great last year. I played continuously for eight-nine months and won crucial matches and also did well in the tournaments. There was lot of improvement and I got a lot of confidence.

Q. On the race to the number one spot?
A: I never expected to be in the top ten when I started playing badminton. I don’t set short-term targets. I just want to put loads of hard work into my play. It is a very long journey. First, I should be targeting the top five. The road ahead is going to be very tough as I will be playing the champions and I have a lot to learn from them.

Q. On parental support?
A: Both my parents have provided me with lots of support during my early days. They use to plat at the club level and they trained me in the evening. I use to train with the academy in the morning and at my father’s office there was a badminton court. I use to work on my shots there.

Q. On high expectations from different quarters for you to perform?
A: There will be lot of expectations from all quarters. People, when they meet me, they say nice words. It feels nice to hear that. But if I have to keep that performance going then I need to train harder. I want to win plenty of medals for my country and for myself.

Q. The gold medal at Beijing eluded you this time. Your comments?
A: Since I was a child, I always had a dream to win gold at the Olympics. Since then, it was my main goal and that still remains.

Q. On cricket taking over other sports?
A: There is no use of playing any other sport except cricket. I have nothing against cricket but all the sponsors run behind cricketers as if there is no other sport played in the country. People only like watching cricket despite it not being an Olympic sport. It is useless playing any other sport because you are not recognised. If we loose in the first round there is no news about us in the media, but it is not the case with cricket.

Q. Solution and the planning for 2010 Commonwealth Games?
A: What we need is the same amount of money given to cricket and a drastic change in the mindset of the sponsors. I just don’t see India winning more than two medals in the London Olympics – probably a gold or a bronze. Forget the hopes of bagging 10-20 medals.

Favourties Fives:
Movie Chak De India
Food Paneer and Naan
Actor Shah Rukh Khan
Book Archie’s
Sportsperson Roger Federer

Bindra’s Beijing gold puts sports on a pedestal!

Abhinav Bindra was crowned the golden boy of 2008 as he showed the world and India that we were not sitting ducks in Olympic sports. With the gold medal he made the people of India realize that cricket wasn’t the end of the world and there were many more dreams to be realized. In an interview with NEIL JOSHI, he narrated the journey to his gold, the need of the hour and tackling female attention he received.

Q. It has been almost six months since you have won the gold in Beijing. You were tied with Henri Hakkinen before the final shot. Can you relive the moment of glory.
A: It was the greatest moment of my life. It was something that I aspired all my life; it just was my dream to win the gold. My dream couldn’t have been fulfilled in a better fashion. The competition was absolutely tough and it took a lifetime of preparation and it came down to a single shot. I couldn’t have asked for more.

Q. The gold and the bronze were just an injection needed to boost Olympic sports in the country. What difference have you witnessed in the past six months?
A: The biggest positive change is the change of outlook and attitude and I had the chance to interact with a lot of athletes. Earlier, it used to seem as a distant dream, but now it is a reality. Now everyone is talking about winning gold and other medals. So everybody is aspiring and aiming high like never before.

Q. You won India’s first gold medal ending the drought of 28 years. Were you expecting such a warm reception on your arrival and has that moment sunk in yet for you?
A: The moment of winning the gold has sunk in by now. The whole country was waiting for this. It has taken a very very long time. I was overwhelmed by the reaction and the goodwill generated by my victory and I am grateful to everyone.

Q. How do you see India capitalise on the medals won at Beijing. And what measures do you suggest for India to be a sports playing nation rather than a sports loving nation?
A: There needs to be a change of attitude towards sports and we should start investing in sports. Sports can be a very powerful platform to build our global reputation as a country. It’s very important that our country pays attention to Olympic sports in particular and if that happens, more and more people at the grassroots will get opportunities to succeed. We will then have more athletes performing at the higher level.

Q. What was the phase for you between 2004 and 2008?
A: The 2004 Olympics was a little disappointing for me, I went in to the final shot and finished seventh. My planning for Beijing 2008 grew out from the disappointment that very evening. I planned for every eventuality. It took a lifetime of preparations… I went all out. My training stopped at nothing in terms of effort, organization. I even planned for a malfunction which actually did happen to me.

Q. Do you think that you were pampered a lot during your growing up days?
A: I don’t think I was a pampered child. But I did get what I wanted. My parents were very supportive and always wanted me to have good values and a direction in life.

Q. What was your first experience with a gun and when did you take a decision of entering this profession full time?
A: I started when I was 12. I was very addicted towards the gun then. I played club competition and then I kept training and I started winning and my goals started becoming bigger and then I started dreaming bigger. It was 1998-99 when I believed that I could go to the Olympics. When I was 17, I went to the 2000 Games in Sydney. I had been to big competitions before – I had been to the Commonwealth Games when I was 15. In the Commonwealth Games there were just a few countries as compared to the whole world in the Sydney Games and in Sydney I realized how big the world really is. As a competitor I believed that I want to take on the world and wanted to beat everybody and I wanted to be the best.

Q. Who gave you your first gun?
A: My father got it for me. My aunt living in America organised to get my first gun. I was 15 when I got it.

Q. How did you cope with so much female attention and those marriage proposals that came along after the Beijing Games?
A: I didn’t receive as much female attention. I haven’t got any marriage proposals, its just media created. I am a very private person and suddenly became very popular. I suddenly had to deal with it because I became a public person. It’s been a challenge and something I had to deal with. I don’t know whether I like it but I couldn’t really do anything about it.

Q. When was the first time after the Beijing Olympics you picked up the gun?
A: I started training maybe two weeks after the Olympics. It brings me peace and mental sanity. However, I have not chalked out my immediate goals so far.

Q: You are planning a shooting range for aspiring shooters. How is the project shaping up and what assistance have you received from the Indian Olympic Association or the Sports Ministry?
A: I haven’t got any support for the project from the IOA or the Sports Ministry. It is my personal initiative that I have taken. It is something that I would like to give back to sports – not just to shooting but sports in general. It has hit a few roadblocks considering the meltdown in economy has delayed things. It is something that I am passionate about and I hope it comes through as soon as possible.

Q. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police approached you to provide coaching to their men in view of the Delhi Games. Can you throw some light on that development?
A: I am not very clear as to what they wanted me to do. I was there with them at a tournament in November but I haven’t actually got any official communication from them. I will be happy and willing to assist.

Q. There is the Australia Cup along with the World Cup in Munich, Milan and Minsk. How is your preparation going on for that?
A: I have just started to train. I don’t have goals yet and I am not pushing it. I would like to follow my guts and instinct and just follow that path because that’s me. We have the World Cup this year. There is no Olympic qualification this year. It will only begin in 2010, so competitions are there this year but not of much significance for me personally.

‘I was the only poster boy in Indian hockey’

BY DHANRAJ PILLAY

It went without saying that I had to be a hockey player. Hockey was in our blood. My father played hockey, his four brothers were hockey players. Even my mother’s brother was a hockey player. I grew up in an environment with hockey players around me. Sometimes when we played matches, there were instances that there were two sons and my father on one side while in the rest we played in opposite teams at the Ammunition Factory Ground in Khadki.
It was in 1982 that I was selected for my school nationals in Amravati. I was the lone player from my school. At that time I didn’t get a place in the side, but in 1985 I realised that through hockey I can do a lot, I could also get a job. I could provide a good life style to my family. My inspiration was my brother Ramesh, he inspired all the brothers.
It was then that in 1987, I moved to Bombay and in the next year, I got to rub shoulders with Joaquim. It was then I realised that I could play for the country. I used to adopt the game of Mohammed Shahid because when he played, the entire world would watch him. He was like a magician with the hockey stick in his hand. He used to enjoy his game a lot. After watching him, I decided that I wanted to be a player like Mohammed Shahid.

Journey from Khadki to Bombay
My mother pushed me and my brother to pursue hockey. Education-wise we weren’t really good. My parents had the hope that through hockey we could achieve a lot. I left studies after the 10th standard. The national championship came along so I had to choose between the two of them. I played the 1986 national championship and never fell back on studies again.

Olympic Experience
The Sydney Olympics was one such Olympics where we could have reached the semis and then the finals. Under my captaincy, we won the Asian games in 1998, the Asia Cup – which we won after 19 years. But there is bitterness within me because we haven’t been able to win a World Cup or at the Olympics and that will stay in my mind and heart for the rest of my life. Someday, when I will become a national coach, I will definitely try to win a medal in the Olympics. Not winning the Olympics and the World Cup have been my biggest regret till date.

On the rift between IHF and players
I was the only player fighting for our rights. What we deserved we didn’t get. I can say I was the only poster boy in Indian hockey. I wanted to do lot of endorsements - many multinational companies signed me. But the Federation never encouraged us to promote any endorsements. They never wanted players should become rich.

Association with Foreign clubs
Indian players have lost their reputation abroad. When I was playing in Germany and other countries, I was playing with respect. I was earning money too. It wasn’t just money – I was earning respectable money. I feel ashamed that our players today play for a paltry sum. They are good players who play for the country. They sign contracts and stay over there for 2-2 ½ months – its better that they don’t go and waste their time. I was the only guy who played in six countries. Till Gagan Ajit, Deepak Thakur, Sandeep Singh or Len Aiyappa – that time it was really good because I used to guide them. They used to sign with a person who wasn’t a qualified coach and who hasn’t played hockey in his country.

On the PHL
The only help was from the broadcasters and federation. Besides, Chandigarh there was no crowd; there was no monetary benefit for the players. Only the seniormost players got one lakh per month along with the skipper. Other players like Baljit Dhillion, Baljit Saini were getting Rs. 35,000-50,000. I was the seniormost player for Maratha Warriors and I wasn’t made the captain – that bitterness is still there.

Hockey Goes Down The Drain
After the Beijing Olympics, hockey has gone down the drain. We should have performed in the qualifiers. But we couldn’t. It was the first time in history that we couldn’t qualify for the World Cup. Immediately after that the coach was changed and again the likes and dislikes started.

Foreign Coaches
There were a lot of controversies. Since the last 15 years I was adamant that we didn’t need a foreign coach. In 1994, I said we don’t require a foreign coach, we require an expert who can give us expert training in penalty corners and teach us the European standard of hockey, when and when not to dodge. For full time we don’t require a foreign coach as the chief coach of the Indian hockey.

Restructuring Indian hockey
I will get ten sponsors. I will go and beg everybody – from multinational companies and whatever connections I have. The people who like me and who follow the game. Everyone likes to see Indian hockey on the top. Whenever, I meet Anil Ambani he always speaks about hockey.
They knew that all hockey players are from the middle class - once they gave them good accommodation or new jerseys, the boys were made to feel happy with that. But when I started playing in the foreign league I realized that asking money is our right. Those who have not played hockey even at their homes are boozing around as if that they are the godfathers of Indian hockey.

On Coaching
I am still not completely into coaching. The day I do it I will stop playing domestic hockey. In 2001, I started my academy – at that time I could spare more time for coaching than now. What I learned in foreign clubs, I have shared those expertise. Some of the clubs out there wanted my inputs before the match. I know what is required to become a good player. And that is what I tell the boys.

Marriage Plans
I was so involved with my hockey when I was playing for the country I just wanted to achieve and do something. I really wanted the Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Padmashree and State awards. My brother always told me when I started playing for the country that anyone can play for the country but after being a part of the team, staying there for 10-15 years is very difficult; if you can achieve that then there will be no player like you in India. To be there for 16 years it takes a lot of pain, hard work, determination and that is why I couldn’t think of marriage.

QUICK FIRE
Player – Mohammed Shahid (India), Marc Dellison (Holland) and Farhad Khan (Pakistan)
League – German
Toughest Opponent – Holland, Pakistan and Germany

(As told to Neil Joshi)

DADA AXED FROM IRANI SQUAD
Yuvraj shown the door; Jaffer gets a new lease of life

The Board of control for cricket in India (BCCI) has applied brakes to the second tenure of the ‘Prince of Kolkata’ Sourav Ganguly by excluding him from the Rest of India squad that will play Ranji champions Delhi in the Irani Trophy match to be played on September 24. The exit comes as a shocker since none of the so called ‘Fab Four’ of the Indian team could strike the right chord and only contributed a meagre 554 runs between themselves in three tests which in turn took away India’s chances of winning a series in the Emerald Isle.

Ganguly who displayed excellent form post come back was dropped with along another left handed batsman in form of Yuvraj Singh. The Punjab lad himself experienced a dry patch and his exclusion came as no surprise. However, many circles felt that Ganguly’s ouster just before a crucial Australian series was too harsh on the former Indian skipper. Announcing the team, Secretary Niranjan Shah said that the board and the selection committee had picked the ‘right team.’

Speaking exclusively to ADC, former coach of the Indian Twenty20 winning team, Lalchand Rajput said that he was surprised that his name was not on the list. “I am surprised as to why Sourav Ganguly has been left out of the Irani Trophy. There were many batsmen in Sri Lanka who failed to perform then why single out Ganguly.”
Rajput said that he bestowed confidence in the Kolkata Knight Rider’s skipper terming him as a ‘determined cricketer’ and was optimistic that he would win back his place back in to the Indian squad. “He is a determined cricketer and he has had made a come back before. He will do it again.”

His exclusion also raises questions about his future with the Indian cricket. Earlier, at the time of taking over the reigns of coaching the Indian side, coach Gary Kirsten hinted that he would was a gradual phasing out of some of the senior players thereby making way for the Gen-next cricketers. Rajput said that if the board was considering something like that it was important to take the player in to consideration before taking such a decision especially since this was his only bad series after his dramatic comeback in to the Indian team. “He is a very valuable player and been a part of the team for a long time. There should be a phase out period and the selectors should talk to the players about their future plans.”

Commenting on Yuvraj Singh, he said despite Yuvraj not performing well in the series against Sri Lanka, the board should have restored faith in the youngster and given him the opportunity to strike form. “I don’t know whether it was right in keeping him out of the team because of his form. If you look at the other side, the Irani Trophy match would have given him the much needed confidence to perform.”

Meanwhile, Mohammed Kaif received his due after a fighting knock of 94 runs against the Australia ‘A’ side and was awarded a place in the side along with discard opener Wasim Jaffer who has been given yet another opportunity to impress the selectors. Jaffer got the call citing Sehwag’s late injury which he sustained during the end of the test series and may keep his place as a back-up opener if he shows his prowess with the bat. Bengal pacer who was also instrumental for the Kolkata Knight Riders team in the absence of Shoiab Akhtar was given a berth in the Rest of India team.

However, Niranjan Shah’s son Jaydev Shah was named in the 15-man India ‘A’ squad for the tri-series against Australia 'A' and New Zealand 'A.' Rajasthan Royals find Swapnil Asnodkar, Mumbai’s all-rounder Abhishek Nayar and medium pacer Dhawal Kulkarni also earned their place in the India ‘A’ squad based on their performance in the IPL.

CONCERNED ON CRICKET'S MOVE TOWARDS OLYMPICS: BUCHANAN

Former Australian coach John Buchanan is concerned about the growing support for cricket as an Olympic sport. John who was credited with Australia winning the World Cup categorically stated that ‘the game needs to clean up its act’ and then think of making inroads to the mother of all international events.

“I think before cricket goes in to making a Twenty20 debut in the Olympics it has to make sure that its own backyard is clean first. When we talk about Olympics we talk about the Olympic spirit, things that we don’t like in sports are partially dealt with (in cricket) and I am concerned why cricket is making a movement towards Olympics,” also referring to the recent rise in the international support for the game’s inclusion including players from his own country.

He also stressed that the recent inclusion of the referral system in the game goes against the Olympic spirit. “It is this beginning of questioning the umpire’s decision and I am hundred percent against that. If the authorities say something you cant do that … that is the law … that is the rule and that is what we have to abide by. If you don’t like laws and rules then you do it indirectly and find a way to get that change,” said Buchanan taking a dig at the system, which proved to be fatal for Kumble and his men during the recently concluded test series where India lost 1-2 in the Emerald Isle.

He said that players questioning decisions of the on-field umpire is like making a huge mistake by the game itself. “Players questioning the umpire’s decision is tantamount to the game of cricket. It is becoming like one or the two other sports (like tennis- introduced during Wimbledon 2008) which we probably recognize. It is not being in the spirit of the game. Therefore I think cricket is making a huge mistake if it goes down the path of allowing the players to question the umpire’s decision.”

Buchanan who is also the coach of the Shah Rukh Khan owned Kolkata Knight Riders IPL team said that he was open to a rotation policy for the skipper which would mean that the former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly would increase the bench strength if he fails to perform in the next season. This would simply mean just like the stylish Hyderabadi batsman VVS Laxman gave way for Aussie wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist to lead the team after his poor performance and his injury. The KKR team has many front runners in form of Ricky Ponting, Brendum McCullum, Chris Gayle, David Hussey and also former Zimbabwean skipper Tatenda Taibu gunning to take the baton from Ganguly.

“There are a lot of things that we have been talking about in the off-season and I think big on leadership and I don’t think leadership is just comes from the captain whoever he might be. I see leadership as a part of everybody’s responsibility,” said the KKR coach.

He added the Knight Riders would be touring Down Under after their talent hunt completes in India and this trip would give experience to the youngsters. “One of the reasons why are we bringing the cricketers to Australia is to give them experience to different conditions. When you face an opposition or a situation, they should know how to handle that, they then become better leaders within the team themselves. They don’t look up on the captain or any senior player to do the job.”

Regarding the ongoing one-day series between India and Sri Lanka would be very closely fought citing that both the teams are even at this stage. “It’s going to be tight, after going down 1-2 in the tests. One of the key things Dhoni said on Badrinath (win in the second one-day) that he was instrumental and on the way he played Mendis and Muralitharan.”

Don’t make Gods out of players: Kapil Dev

Reiterating the concern of many young players loosing their place in the Indian side due to fame and money, former captain of the 1983 World Cup winning team Kapil Dev said that players should be treated as players and one should not worship them as “Gods.” “Don’t give them too much respect and don’t make Gods out of the players,” said Kapil Dev.

He also had a word of advice for young cricketers who are currently cementing their places in the side. He said that it was important for the youngsters to keep their heads on their shoulders rather than getting distracted with other issues. “Keep your feet on the ground and success will kiss it or if you remain in the air, you will vanish from the scene. Youngsters have the tendency to forget their aim after getting exposed to fame and loose their path,” he said.

On the ouster of the flamboyant left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh from the test side touring Sri Lanka, the former pacer blamed the latter for loosing his composure from the game and creating a situation for his exclusion. “It’s his (Yuvraj’s) fault at some point that he gave the opportunity to the board to drop him. But he should not loose heart with this and he has the talent and should learn from what has happened,” he added. Regarding the growing fitness problem and the breakdown among the Indian pacers, he said that he couldn’t do or say much about it as it was them who have to stay fit. “Every player is a professional and he should know that he has to stay fit.”

Speaking on not selecting Asian Cricketer of the year 2007 Sourav Ganguly and former skipper Rahul Dravid in the probable list for the forthcoming Champions Trophy slated to be played in Pakistan and growing the divide between the seniors and juniors in the team, he stated, “Every captain has a right to choose the team he wants. When Sourav was the captain he voiced for young players in his side so why can’t Dhoni.”

On the spate of news reports emerging from Pakistan regarding Indian cricketers partying on a beach in Karachi before the final match against the Islanders, he said, “As long as (partying) it doesn’t hamper your performance its fine.” He was however disappointed on the lack of cricketers coming out from the Mumbai circuit. “There is no room for playgrounds and facilities, there are only buildings coming up everywhere, where will the children play. I visited around 40-50 schools in Mumbai and found out that only five out of them had a playground for the children.”

He was happy that parents are encouraging their children to play cricket since the ICL and the IPL have become household names. “Aussies are born to play but here we are born to be a doctor, engineer and scientists but from the past two years parents are encouraging their children to play ICL and the IPL.” Getting nostalgic about the 1983 World Cup, he added, “We all thought that we were going on a paid holiday to England and only after we won some matches against the big team we realized that we could make it.”

Sachin made me feel comfortable: Rohit Sharma

One day specialist Rohit Sharma said playing alongside Sachin Tendulkar in the first final of the Commonwealth Bank series was a dream come true and that the champion batsman, made him feel at home and guided him during his knock of 66.
“As soon as I came to the crease he (Tendulkar) made me feel very comfortable and gave me some advice. He told me that we had to win the match. I felt no pressure at all. I thought I was batting in the nets,” said the 20-year-old Mumbai middle order batsman.

The youngster said it was his childhood dream to play with the maestro who he has idolised since he started playing. “I was just two when Sachin (Tendulkar) made his Test debut. I never thought that I would play with him and bat with him for so long. I used to always watch him since I started playing cricket. I grew up watching his batting,” he said.

Sharma, however, said even though he has grown up watching and idolising Tendulkar, he would not try and emulate the style of the batting genius. “No one in the world can copy anyone. Everyone in the world has his own style. No one bats like Sachin and he (Sachin) doesn't bat like (Ricky) Ponting. I personally don't feel I need to copy someone,” Sharma said.

On being part of the victorious Twenty20 World Cup and the CB tri-series side in Australia, Sharma said the feeling was great to be a part of both the victories. “It's a great feeling to be a part of these two victories, T20 and CB series. I think it was a great effort from all the boys and it great to part of the victory. Playing in Australia and beating them in two finals gives you a great feeling. Beating them (Australia) in Australia is a remarkable achievement especially with a young team,” added Sharma.

He said the recent racism controversy which involved off spinner Harbhajan Singh and all-rounder Andrew Symonds got the team closer and helped him and the team in focussing more on the game. “Despite all the controversies, we got together, that's (the controversy) what brought us together. Personally, I was just concentrating on my game, what I had to do and what was my job. I was concentrating on that and I think that really paid off,” Sharma said.

He said initially in the series, he found it difficult to play the off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and was unable to pick up his `doosra.' “This was the first time I was playing Murali, he is the number one bowler in the world. It was just that I was unable pick up his `doosra.' This was the first time I was playing Murali, he is the number one bowler in the world. It was just that I was unable to pick up his `doosra' and that was the problem. I went and spoke to senior players like Sachin, Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh), Dhoni and Yuvraj and later I got 70 against these guys (Sri Lanka) in Canberra.”

He said in time he would want to move to the five-day format and was eager to develop his game to bat for long periods of time. “Test cricket will be a priority for me. I want to play Test cricket. But I feel I need some time to get into the team. I have not played much of the four-day game; I need some more time, experience and games to play (well in the longer version). I'll try and get to the Test team as well,” Sharma added.

Speaking about being a part of the Hyderabad IPL team, he said it hurts him that he won't be playing for the team which he represents in the Ranji Trophy. “Playing domestic cricket (IPL) and not for Mumbai hurts me. But I am fine because Hyderabad is also my home town. I am looking forward to this and also playing with Adam Gilchrist and Symonds. I played against them but it'll be different playing with them,” he said.
March 7, 2008

Is rainwater harvesting the solution for your dry taps?

“If the wars of this century were fought over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought over water,” said former World Bank vice president, Ismail Serageldin. He has been proved correct much faster than anyone else would have thought.

The taps have started running dry this summer and in the much-populated Mumbai City and its neighbouring suburbs. The question, which will now be put forth before the administration is how cover this deficit. At present the city faces a shortfall of about 1200 MLD this year and this figure is bound to rise with every new construction in this city. The city receives approximately 4300 MLD to quench the thirst of millions of Mumbaikars, but this isn't sufficient.

Many ecologist and geologiost have come up with the idea of water conservation. The state government has made rainwater-harvesting mandatory for all buildings that are being constructed on plots that are more than 1,000-sqaure metre in size. Even the Kerala Municipality had amended their rules to include rainwater-harvesting structures in new construction.

Rainwater harvesting is the best way to preserve water and reduce flooding in the city. Eminent geologist Dr. Amar Joshi believes that the main caused of the reduction in the ground water levels and flooding in the city is the concretization of many of compounds in societies which is preventing the rainwater from entering the soil thereby decreasing the ground water level. Groundwater for commercial and personal consumption is extracted in an unplanned and uncontrolled manner. This has resulted in hydrological imbalance and deterioration in water quality.

Huge amounts of rainwater goes down the drain and is untapped resulting in the waste of million of gallons of portable water. "Most of the water during the monsoon season is wasted and untapped thus flowing into the drains. During high tide, this water is denied entry in the sea by the gigantic waves thereby causing flooding within the city," said Dr. Joshi.

What is rainwater harvesting (RWH) and how does it work?
Rain Water Harvesting is merely “putting back rain water into the soil, where it will be stored in underground reservoirs and fracture systems, so that we can draw it whenever we need it.”

A rainwater harvesting system comprises of various stages - transporting rainwater through pipes or drains, filtration, and storage in tanks for reuse or recharge. The water the falls on the roofs and the ground surface is diverted to the catchments with the help of pipes which are then rooted to the well beneath the earth's surface. Gutters can also be built which will divert the water to the storage tank, which is then transferred to the well below. This increases the ground water level and reduced the salinity of the water. As and when the water is required, water can be lifted for use through the boring machines.

The Cost Factor
In order to install a rainwater harvesting system in your society of approximately fifty members, the cost for such installation would hover between Rs. 2 – 2.5 lakhs depending on the catchment area. Presently, the BMC charges around Rs. 3.50 per 1000 litres of water for the societies and Rs. 25 per thousand litres for industries. However, the break-even period for industries is much less for big industries as compared to the societies. It would take a society around 4-5 years to break even the invested amounts.

Dr. Amar Joshi believes that once this system is installed in your backyard, one does not need to worry for rest of their life. Every year, Mumbai receives approximately a hundred days of heavy rainfall. Hence if a society's terrace area is around 500-sq.m and open area (compound and garden) is around 1000 sq.m., rainfall that can be tapped during this period with the help of water harvesting is around 15,00,000 -20,00,000 liters per monsoon season. Many places in Mumbai have gone ahead with the tapping of rainwater. The residence of the mayor of Mumbai has the facility of rainwater harvesting. The total water which is tapped at the mayor residence every year is at a staggering 1,68,24,000 litres.

How can rain water help improve the lives of Mumbaikars?
With the help of this system, Mumbaikars can heave a sigh of relief resulting in a decrease in water bills and one can enjoy uninterrupted supply of water at a very low cost. Many places in Mumbai such as IIT, Municipal Corporation building, Raj Bhavan, BARC, VJTI College, Bhavan's College and St. Stanislaus School have successfully reaped benefits from using nature's priceless gift to mankind.