Indian Sports and Entertainment Industry

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 22 Jul 2010 20:15

To add to that, International Hockey Federation has allotted the mens champions trophy for 2011 to India. If folks would recall, we had to beg around for a chance to host the CT when lahore was hit by bum attacks and SL cricket team attack. After much begging, the IHF allotted it to malaysia with oz siding with the malays. In fact, the CT became a 8 team affair with the then 7th position holding england somehow getting a magical chance to train their skills. This extra help led to the santiago debacle where we lost in the finals to england 2-3 after much intimidation on Sardara Singh for being aggressive in the defence. If folks would recall, Sardara was pulled up late in the night on the day before the finals for a disciplinary hearing and warned. Sardara never performed as he would have in the deep defence in the finals. Santiago was our lowest as this was the first time we failed to qualify for OG.

Now the reason for allotting CT to us in 2011 is that despite holding a shadily prepared games with the Hockey India apparatus yet to be placed, with hardly any synchrony in terms of preparation, with the Dhyanchand stadium unfurled like 20-30 days before the event, etc. India brought in far more revenue for IHF than any other country could have, gora, asian, non-gora inclusive. Much inspired by the revenue, the IHF shut its backside of protesting against the delays, against the <1 Rupee per day holding >400% poverty in India, against this, that etc. The revenue will only increase as more and more folks pay attention given that hockey viewership in India is hardly anything compared to cricket viewership. So there is hope after all, with all the 1 step foward 10 down due to the oiseaules that run Hockey India, the good samaritans may beat the Hockey India officials in the head with the Rupee note at the end of the day. Whether the goras change the rules or not.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 22 Jul 2010 21:17

Former Indian captain Helen Mary has claimed in a spate of interviews yesterday two points. First, she claimed that she left hockey because of coach Kaushik’s behaviour (meaning sexual harassment) and two, his relationship with the lady manager of her times. I have nothing to say on the second point which is not sports related. She has said so and it is between her, coach and the probing committee to look at it and bring the fact before the public. However, I have a view and feel duty-bound to bring that and certain related events with respect to first point: Why Helen Mary had to leave national team after the last World Cup?

By being a senior most goalie Helan was the leader of the 2006 World Cup team that played some extra-ordinary matches. It lost to reigning World Cup champions and the reining Olympic champions the Netherlands and Germany by an odd goal in the first two matches. Kaushik was of the view that the team lost crucial matches because of bad goalkeeping. He felt the team is not implementing what is being discussed in the rooms and practice classes. The bone of contention was defence and goalkeeper’s positioning. He expected Helen not to fall on the ground at the drop of hat, and that she should not rush to the top of the circle without bothering about back up. She in particular did not follow coach’s instructions, which was given to her many times for which I was eye witness.

I was the lone journalist from India, and had free access to drawing room meetings and practice sessions. I was then syndicating Kaushik’s column for Hindustan Times and he mentioned there that the players are not exactly implementing his ideas. He openly admonished Helen for being indiscipline which she resented. After the World Cup was over, he told her; “You don’t think you betrayed me, you turned out to be a traitor for the country. (ye mat socho ki mere sath beimani ki hai, aapne desh ke sath gaddari ki hai)

I tried to pacify Kaushik who was fuming. After some moments he said, “each day after our discussions in the room, she called all the players to her room, and asked them to follow her instructions. How can she do it? I spent hours each day before the video to study and get strategy ready for the next day. She did all these so that she cannot be faulted for her own game. She is selfish. She sacrificed country's interest. This is the reason we lost close matches".

After the team returned, expectedly she had difficulty in getting into the team. Young Marita Tirkey replaced Helan, and the team went on to win bronze at the Doha Asian Games. The story does not end here. Kaushik refused to coach women team. For the whole of 2007 the national women team had no coach. Kaushik vowed that day at Madrid he won’t coach women team any longer, but the fate willed differently. If anybody has doubt on what I have written here, they should talk to the then assistant coach AB Subbaiah or physio Dr. Vikas Dhawan. They were also witness to what I portrayed.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 23 Jul 2010 00:06

From ndtv,

And one written complaint from a member of the Indian women's hockey team has cost MK Kaushik his job. The accusation that he uses sexual and vulgar language - a charge that he doesn't completely deny.

From hindu,

Zafar and Batra disclosed that 30 other probables of the team had expressed their support to Ranjitha and signed the letter forwarded by her to HI. “But when I asked some other players whether such things have happened with any of them, they said no,” said Batra.

The key word is "30 other probables." They are not team members. ToI adds that: 19 of the 31 players, who supported Ranjitha, are touring Korea for the Asian Champions Trophy July 27-31.
Tribune adds,

The girl’s written complaint was endorsed by 30 other players of the team, though they did not support her specific sexual harassment allegation against Kaushik.

Either the 30 players endorse the report in full or state which parts they agree with. What kinda rubbish is it to put your signature on a letter without supporting everything? Is this yet another petitiononline rubbish, it is a case of pulling someone from a high pedestal and accusing him of the worst possible crime in India's hypocritical sexist outlook.

Meanwhile, the custodian of women's rights, the Delhi Commission for Women and a suitably named head Barkha Singh has come strongly againts HI for appointing an "all men" commission to investigate Ranjitha Devi vs. MK Kaushik. Little did the bakra know that Dr. Sudarshan Pathak, one of the five committee members, is a female. You want proof: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040307/ncr.htm (see her pic there). Yet the bakra also failed to read the HI output:

HI will also form a five-member committee as per Supreme Court guidelines on sexual harassment cases, said Batra. “As per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, we will have a panel in which at least half or more than half the members would be women.

What gives these bakras a moral duty to fight for this and that, randomly spouting untruths and having a disease of not holding their asses before they jut out of their loosely fitting trousers, even god cant know.

Ah, from tribune's tidbits, the IHF bomb of allotting CT is yet another conspiraceeee. The IHF wants a Hockey India to have a nominee that it supports. But the nominee it supports needs to have the support of GoI and MSYA to let the CT run through without a visa related mess. With Vidya Stokes saying go to hell to MSYA, it seems like IHF is casting its ball on Pargat Singh's court. Man, this drama is beyond me to conjure up, seriously guys, take a hike from the scenarios thread and try to fit a common sensical -- an oxymoron, I know -- plot to wtf is happening.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 24 Jul 2010 00:13

Stan_Savljevic wrote:
Singha wrote:does anyone know if there is a national badminton champ lady 26 yr old, of indo-chinese parentage? I will reveal the reason for my query if anyone provides the above info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jwala_Gutta

whats going on with this lady.
rumours abound that she is having an affair with Ajjubhai.

she is married to chetan anand.
he had married nausheen for 8 years , had 2 sons later dumped her and married sangeeta Bijalani. Now in 14 th year of the marriage.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/sports/azha ... wala-39244

Tanaji · Post by **Tanaji** » 24 Jul 2010 00:27

Well it certainly explains Azhar's sudden badminton interest (he contested some elections lately)

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 24 Jul 2010 11:14

I was reading about MGM's financial troubles, which have literally forced them to stop releasing any movies so that they can divert all available cash into debt-servicing:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/55278510-9527 ... ab49a.html

With Reliance having purchased the services of Stephen Speilberg and Dreamworks, I'm wondering if the time isn't right for some other Indian business house to purchase MGM.

After all, MGM already has a huge repertoire of IP whose revenue potential could be refurbished and recycled. Their movie-making expertise could be used to dominate the box office in the Indian market.

Furthermore, since videogames are becoming the new lucrative medium for entertainment experiences, India's advantages in the IT sector could be used to move MGM ahead in that direction.

It's a shame that MGM can't even get the movies they have in the pipeline out into the marketplace just because their debt trap is draining them. They need someone to bail them out so that they can get back to making money at the box office.

Carl_T · Post by **Carl_T** » 24 Jul 2010 11:16

So looks like Sunil Chhetri is going to play against Manchester United in an exhibition game. KC Wizards can get some good publicity.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 26 Jul 2010 05:07

Why do you think sexual harassment is widespread in Indian sports? What can be done to prevent it?
http://www.dnaindia.com/speakup/message ... it_1413610

Unfortunately we have the best sports men and women in the world. Because of a few fellows who hold the power and abuse players for their political, economic and sexual reasons our sports fellows and their best skills are destroyed.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 26 Jul 2010 05:51

Is there sexual harassment in India in every walk of life: politics, work-place, social service, etc.? If so, is it surprising that there is sexual harassment in sports? Just because it corners more eye-balls, and sounds sensationalistic, is there any reason to specifically focus on sports while sexual harassment runs rife elsewhere?

Added later: Not to sound demeaning to women, but some of the stuff that mediafolks make up sounds like that only sports is suffering from harassment and everything is hunky dory elsewhere. In fact, I just now had an email from a DNA journalist who said that the women's story is not at all consistent. Does not mean that there is no issue with the womens team's whine. It is just that as men we cannot hope to fully understand the emotional issues that plague the interaction between men coaches and women players. To get to the bottom of the issue, one has to understand what the whine is all about, is it something to do with inconsistent yakkitak between coach and players' expectations, or has it something to do with a gap between what men think of sporting camaraderie and what women think of normative discourse, etc. And sad to say this: almost every journo worth his or often her salt would cry a whole lot of horseshit without a single clue as to what the real issue is. Sad state of affairs, as the women have a lot of genuine whines, not including the non-equal treatment they get from HI esp when they perform better than men in tournaments and major events.

And btw, an answer to the DNA question would be for reporters not to behave as dorks and dorkettes aka human rights-nazis, get their facts straight, let off steam elsewhere instead on paper, and report investigatively rather than sensationally. That way, there will be more intelligent following from the aam aadmi silent sports-follower rather than the storm-in-the-teacup-diggi-rajas. As usual, ddm's biggest bane is rhetoric rather than facts, just like it is on brf. Perhaps an Indian disease.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 26 Jul 2010 14:31

stan
I agree. THere should be investigative journalism rather than mere allegations.
Indian sports need a lot of lifting up with a lot of investment. Unfortunately it can be called the commercialisation of the sports but to to do well the sports needs sponsorship and investment in order to compete internationally. We need to look at the abuse beyond sexual allegations as there are economic and political and other abuses also are present in the sense of selection of players in some games and also favouristism also play in meddling with selection both for training unless the individuals are extraordinarily playing. There should be various private and semi government institutions being set up as clubs and community centres for promoting sports personals. Particularly sports personal's interest and concentration should be encouraged rather than distracting them for other purposes.
J

negi · Post by **negi** » 27 Jul 2010 00:39

Pargat lambasts Hockey India

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 27 Jul 2010 06:27

Boss, once upon a time I would have walked past with little said. But let me respond in any case.

The main whine profiles in Indian hockey are:
1) lack of astroturf: there are enough, people just dont have a fricking clue how to maintain one, so astroturfs go to waste in 2-3 years of laying. The MCC-Murugappa trophy held madras stadium was laid just a few years back. Players' shoes have so much sand that the astro is ruined, noone throws in enough water, the astro is ruined. Surely, we have less astros per capita, but whatever little we have, we dont maintain even that. Garland in the hand of maakis would be an opt sobriquet for the state of affairs.
2) sponsorship/support cast: Murugappa group, Madhya Pradesh government, Punjab and Sind Bank, Air India, ONGC, Army, Services, Railways, Sahara Parivar, if these are not sponsors, then there must be something really wrong. Most of the good hockey players are employed by these organizations. Take a look at Air India's team or ONGC's team, you will see former national players, national players, old stars, fading stars, shooting stars, youngistan brigade, etc. If you take these folks away from hockey, there is no hockey in India today. The main problem is the sponsors get little out of sponsoring, so why should they blow their cash on little. At the end of the day, it is a business for everyone.
3) player talent: hmm, this must be one of those myths. The rules in world hockey change so fast, so quick, that everyone (not just Indians) have a problem adapting to the changing game. Blame it on the IHF, blame it on anyone, but not the players or the coaches. The players are good enough. Sure, they eff it up by conceding last min goals, but that has little to do with them, it is more to do with rules and how fast-paced the game is.
4) player selection: this is another favorite whipping boy. We have far more bullshit in crikkit selection than in hockey. Hockey has always been the game that engenders minority groups. Be it folks from Northeast, the "tribal" belt, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, this that you name it. If such an engenderment is possible and is cherished, that must be because of bipartisan focus on selection rather than on quotas that crikkit unofficially abides by. Ask Ramachandra Guha and he will blame BCCI for the mis-treatment of Palwankar Baloo. Our first national capitain was Jaipal Singh Munda, enough said. Look at the power-players in hockey, how many are from hockey bastions and who is Vidya Stokes (fyi, she is an MP from Himachal Pradesh!!).

The main real issues with hockey are:
1) lack of discipline: hardly anyone notices it, but violence on the field against refs is a given now even in ultra-local tournaments. And it has nothing to do with where folks come from: Punjab (Tejbir Singh, Kamaldeep Singh and Maninder Singh), TN (Adam Sinclair), Jharkhand (Sunil Ekka), people are damn hot-headed. Even former national players. How many times do folks talk about this? In fact, Aslam Sher Khan went ahead and "pardoned" the losers from Punjab & Sind bank.
2) maintenance of astroturfs -- this is an all-India problem. If anyone looks at the stadia constructed during the asiad 82, we have lost 90% of all those stadia due to poor, shabby maintenance. At the end of the day, the value of freedom is understood by those who have fought and won it, not by those who treat it as a god-given right.
3) an old, decripit, senile nbjprie apparatus holding the keys to Hockey India and Indian HF: I can say a lot on this.

The first key to success in sports is an organizational apparatus that knows how to succeed in a business venture. At the end of the day, sports is business, a big business that too. Instead of capitalists and like-mined folks running hockey, what we have is a set of brain-freezes running the show today. At 83, Vidya Stokes is claimed to be a smart cookie, imagine the plight of affairs today. The reason why noone wants her out is that she is the sample female in a male-strong body and she could nt care a whiff if the women get shafted this way or that. Suresh Kalmadi, KPS Gill, Ajitpal Singh, Zafar Iqbal, we have seen these same faces for years. In fact, super-selector Ajitpal Singh's claim to being one of the selectors is that he capitained the 75 wc winning team. 35 years back, and he is still milking that victory today. Vasudevan Bhaskaran, the 80 gold capitain was milking that to be the coach for a long time. Joaquim Carvalho was decent, but not great, and he also milked his mid-70s show enough. The less said about Zafar Iqbal, the better. All these were great players in their heights -- that I would like to watch their show again and again if I get hold of an old video, but terrible administrators and even poorer selectors.

In some sense, I have a pity for jose Brasa as he has to handle a buncha run-down nutmegs in an official capacity. On his being a spaniard and his hidden agenda, I am not too sorry for him. The same for leandro negre and IHF. IHF is the last body that deserves any sympathy or pity. As long as the bozos who treat the hockey body as their personal fiefdom run the show, there is NO hope for progress in our so-called national game. Sorry to be blunt, but Indian crikkit was exactly where hockey is now thirty years back. A buncha losers running the show amidst a fine sporting bunch. One world cup turned it all and the game took on in the popularity stakes. There is enough cash in hockey today to have a three-tier set-up (seniors, A and juniors) in both mens and womens. Provided people know how to milk the cash-cow. WC Hockey 2010 was a massive budget boost to IHF, so the world body knows better how to milk the Indian cash-cow than a buncha nimrods and political nitwits who would be better off fighting turf wars in the mining ministry than in a far-less-moneyed hockey body. Bring on folks such as Shivraj Singh Chauhan, now that is change for the better. Instead, we have folks such as Mir Ranjan Negi and KPS Gill. A brick wall is the cheapest substitute one can get instead of the hockey agony-aunts.

4) positive vibes in terms of spectacular results
5) lack of an IPL -- or rather the death of PHL
6) good journos on hockey affairs: Regarding hockey journos, read S. Thyagarajan of the hindu or Gurbux Singh of the telegraph any day. There are no Harsha Bhogles in hockey commentating. Anupam Ghulati was decent, but he has become way too political to have a non-partisan view now. If you venture and read/hear the bile-droppings of anyone else, be prepared to get arundhati in the form of news. That is as blunt as blunt could be.
7) lack of enough capitalistic virtues -- sponsors get little, players get little, nbjprie run turf wars, selectors play games instead of players, journos lick the backsides of Intl Hockey Federation for getting close to the power centre, etc.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 28 Jul 2010 02:01

^^^good analysis and suggestions. I hope someone reads these.

negi · Post by **negi** » 30 Jul 2010 00:15

A good start.
India win first practice match in Portugal

Carl_T · Post by **Carl_T** » 30 Jul 2010 00:16

Hope they get to play against Sporting in the preseason.

Asit P · Post by **Asit P** » 01 Aug 2010 01:13

Saina Nehwal to get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... 236719.cms

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 01 Aug 2010 21:55

And Gagan Narang has rightfully asked if the Khel Ratna is bestowed based on media perceptions and popularity indices, rather than on real achivements. And he aint wrong in his comment. They did nt even have a vote for the award, it was awarded based on consensus. And the name was nominated by MSYA, instead of various bodies nominating folks for the award. Since the award was bulldozed right from MS Gill and down, the PT Usha led committee did nt even bother voting. So much for the nation's top award. Only last year they awarded it to three people, and everyone cried a bucket after the award. Funny, the way things go back and forth...

Asiad snub to Games boss
http://telegraphindia.com/1100801/jsp/f ... 756355.jsp
And the bcci snub to cwg has loss of tax benefits written all the way
http://telegraphindia.com/1100801/jsp/s ... 756276.jsp

Sooner than later, this sports thread will become centered on nbjprie that run the show rather than on sportsmen and women. That pretty much explains how fcked our sports show, centered on neanderthals, really is.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 03 Aug 2010 01:19

CWG profligacy exposed

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 03 Aug 2010 01:22

When Tendulkar can attend camp why not all sportspersons: HC

A woman wrestler not selected for Commonwealth Games as she was irregular in training was refused relief by the Delhi High Court, which said even Sachin Tendulkar goes through camps before any big cricket series.

...
...
"Even after hitting so many centuries, Tendulkar has to attend training camps before any cricket series. If he goes to camps for training then why cannot you," Justice S Muralidhar said adding that "every sportsperson should follow the procedure".

The court said there is no "arbitrariness" on the part of the Federation in rejecting their participation in the game as they took the decision on the basis of current form of players.
"Irrespective of past performances, the Federation is supposed to select players with good current performance," the court said while setting aside their contention that they should have been selected on the basis of their past performance.

...
...

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 03 Aug 2010 07:43

Will advertisers increasingly fund movie production?

I wonder if this will take off in India?

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 03 Aug 2010 07:58

Narang’s accusation gained credibility when sports ministry sources revealed that only four names —Narang, Ramesh Kumar (wrestling), Malathi K. Holla and Parul Parmar (both physically challenged athletes) — had been recommended by their respective federations for the nation’s highest sporting honour. “Saina’s name was not forwarded by the Badminton Association of India (BAI). It was considered only after the government itself decided to recommend her name,” claimed a source.

See the reaction when questioned:

When asked, a sports ministry official said that the ace shooter was creating an unnecessary controversy. “The independent awards committee had some legend of Indian sports as its members. Do you mean to say people like PT Usha, Leander Paes, Aparna Popat, Karnam Malleswari, Limba Ram, Mohammed Habib or Somaya acted in a biased manner?” he asked.

The attitude of this unnamed official is funny provided when one is not in the line of fire. The reason behind such a stalwart committee is to snuff out any criticism on who they award it to. But noone has yet mentioned that the committee works at the behest of the Government, even as per the charter of the Award rules. So if the MSYA bulldozes someone's name, the Committee is biased in its favor.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 03 Aug 2010 12:07

following up on the prev post, would you believe this crap?
http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_no ... ir_1417607

The Arjuna award continues to elude Indian badminton’s most accomplished doubles pair, Jwala Gutta and V Diju. No pair in Indian badminton history has performed as the mixed doubles duo. The two, having paired off in mid-2008, shot into the top-ten within a year, with wins over several top pairs, including world champions Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir in January 2009. The highlight of the year was their Chinese Taipei GP Gold win in August. In December 2009 they reached the final of the prestigious Super Series Masters in Kuala Lumpur, and ended the year at world No.7.

BAI president VK Verma told DNA that the association had withheld their names because they believed only one athlete from a sport would get a national award. “Since we had to forward Saina Nehwal’s name for the Khel Ratna, we didn’t forward Jwala and Diju’s names,” he said. “In terms of the purity of accomplishment, hers was higher.” That’s strange, considering the fact that last year three athletes — boxers MC Mary Kom and Vijender Singh and wrestler Sushil Kumar — shared the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.

Not only is it strange for the above reason, but also because:
1) BAI did nt forward Saina's name either,
2) Even if so, the Khel Ratna rules allows any association to nominate up to three people
yas.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File823.pdf
From the above,

The National Sports Federations recognized by the Government of India, the Indian Olympic Association and the State/UT Governments may nominate more than one and upto three names in a particular discipline/sport in a particular year.

Why do these sports association waalas think everyone is dumb? Anyway the reason is in the article:

Jwala has been an outspoken critic of the BAI, and that is seen by observers as one of the reasons their names weren’t forwarded. That she was reportedly close to former cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who mounted a failed bid to challenge Verma for the BAI president’s post, wouldn’t have helped her cause.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 04 Aug 2010 08:18

Delhi High Court has put an end (?!) to this bakwaas of PIO-OCI card holders' whine of not being allowed to represent India in international events. Yes, in the past some Indic-origin, but non-Indian citizens may have represented India in world events, but as India gets better and moves on from its slumber, there is a need for a uniform policy. Such a policy, which has recently been formulated, prevents such PIO-OCI folks from representing India. What that means is that Prakash Amritraj, Sunitha Rao, Shikha and Neha Uberoi will have a tough time convincing the AK Khanna-led AITA to represent India.

Now this judgment has been delivered on the appeal of two people: one Karan Kumar, who is a British passport holder and a squash player. The second is one Robert Blanchette, a US-based sportsman. Every newsreport that I scoured the bloody net over says he is a US-based sportsman and little more. So I am wondering htf can one Robert Blanchette be pissed over GoI policies. Spooky that I am, google-bhai to help. It turns out that Robert Blanchette is an equestrian rider,
http://www.businessworld.in/index.php/A ... addle.html
a US-passport holder and a US Equestrian Federation member, nonetheless.
https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/competiti ... &year=2010
Thank god, for without google, I will be left wondering if this is another satan-led conspirazeee.

In any case, the last has not been said on this as the Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court in its March 21, 2010 judgment has allowed OCI and PIO card holders in representing India.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/fresh ... t/593464/0
This means, the case will go to the Hon'ble Supreme Court for further action when a studious Karan Kumar or Sohrab Gill or someone else will come to note the apparent faux pas. Till then, the ddm will have yet another chance to write another report to keep us no less wiser on wtf is happening. Now the above IE report says that the Sports Ministry will approach the Supreme Court for further action in March 2010. The very fact that the Delhi HC has considered the case and not brought attention to the SC appeal means that MSYA has been sleeping on its wheels since March 2010. Perhaps due to CWG preps. Ah well, we are in India, baby.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 04 Aug 2010 08:24

Tanaji wrote:Well it certainly explains Azhar's sudden badminton interest (he contested some elections lately)

Boss, the Jwala Gutta-MA Azharuddin matter seems like a planted news item meant to discredit both JG and Azhar. Super-pathetic from what I can glean. Indian media can be easily planted with articles, esp on sports matters. K. Arumugam proved it conclusively. So lets hold our horses on JG and stop giving fodder to ddm plants.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 05 Aug 2010 15:35

So, the ‘elections’ are over. Player power, if at all it was ever there in India, loses to political power, as triple Olympian Pargat Singh goes down to 83-year young Vidhya Stokes in the farce called Hockey India process -- where for the first time the candidates chose the electorate! However, now we can elevate ourselves to describe Batra and party from being described as self-appointed to self-elected!! A player knows how to win a match. A politician knows how to win an election. So was it today.

What is the implication of the election, given the legal tangles attached with it, is too early to predict. But one thing is certain. The happiest of the situation will undoubtedly be the FIH. Hockey India is their brainchild, is in their interest, it was delivered at their insistence and idea, now it survives and tries to live forever at their mercy.

So, as the FIH did in the context of Delhi World Cup, it can organize as many events as they want on Indian turfs, walk away with the benefits -- with no questions ever asked. Hockey India has openly and boldly declared it is a private body. If that is so, why we, who are interested in hockey, should take interest in the Hockey India Private Ltd election?

The last word on the matter is not said. For the record, Pargat got 21 votes compared to 41 by Vidhya Stokes in today's HI Pvt Ltd presidential election, and Narindra Batra elected as Secretary General.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 05 Aug 2010 15:50

2010 Arjuna Awards list:

Joseph Abraham, Krishna Poonia (Athletics), Dinesh Kumar (Boxing), Parimarjan Negi (Chess), Jhulan Goswami (Women's Cricket), Deepak Kumar Mandal (Football), Sandeep Singh (Men's Hockey), Jasjeet Kaur Handa (Women's Hockey), Dinesh Kumar (Kabaddi), Sanjeev Rajput (Shooting), Rehan Jehangir Poncha (Swimming), Kapil Dev KJ (Volleyball), Rajeev Tomar (Wrestling), Rajesh Chaudhary (Yachting), Jagseer Singh (Para-Olympics athletics).

I will tell you a "closely" guarded secret into this awards nomination/selection process. There are 15 awards, 3 are to women, 1 is to a disabled athlete, 5 are minority religionists, 1 is from the Northeast. Here is the 2009 list:

Mangal Singh Champia (archery), Sinimol Paulose (athletics), Saina Nehwal (badminton), L Sarita Devi (boxing), Tania Sachdeva (chess), Gautam Gambhir (cricket), Ignatius Tirkey (hockey), Surinder Kaur (hockey), Pankaj Shirsat (kabaddi), Satish Joshi (rowing), Ranjan Sodhi (shooting), Poulami Ghatak (table tennis), Yogeshwar Dutt (wrestling), G L Yadav (yachting), Parul Parmar (badminton disabled).

15 awards, 6 women, 1 disabled, 5 minority religionists, 1 from the Northeast. And the 2008 list:

The Arjuna awardees were for Chitra K Soman (athletics), Anup Sridhar (badminton), Verghese Johnson (boxing), D. Harika (chess), Arjun Atwal (golf), Prabhjot Singh (hockey), Tombi Devi (judo), Bajranj Lal Takhar (rowing), Avneet Kaur Sidhu (shooting), Alka Tomar (wrestling) and Farman Basha (powerlifting — disabled category).

11 awards, 1 disabled, 5 women, 4 minority religionists, 1 Northeast.

Message: If you cant figure the pattern after this, I cant help you. Politically incorrect yes, but thats the state on the ground.

negi · Post by **negi** » 06 Aug 2010 06:41

Ouch blo0$y ouch
Government withdraws recognition to Hockey India

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 06 Aug 2010 06:50

The HI body cited the fact that they are a private organization under Societies Act and hence they do not come under MSYA advisory notes on age cap for President of the body. Promptly, HI has been withdrawn recognition by MSYA. But HI is still the recognized body as per Intl. Hockey Fed. So the show will go on. The case put by KPS Gill of IHF for due recognition will go on, but no bets on when the court will deliver its verdict.

Vidya Stokes may be 83, but Narinder Batra is Suresh Kalmadi's man. So we know where things stand wrt HI. It amazes me how one crook can run so many shows via remote control.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 11 Aug 2010 02:29

Somesh is new women's hockey coach

Ameet · Post by **Ameet** » 17 Aug 2010 02:07

India Rugby team wins second tournament in as many weeks

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-Rug ... 87803.aspx

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 19 Aug 2010 05:34

Chess and Math!
The mega math event ICM (where our president is going to award Fields Medal etc - tomorrow) will also host simultaneous chess game where Vishy (World Chess champion) Viswanathan Anand will be playing chess simultaneously ... against 40 or so mathematicians ... try out your skill if you are a mathematician and want to play with Anand..

For more, see Math dhaga!

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 24 Aug 2010 03:06

Amber: Now Vishy has been denied that honorary doctorate by bureaucracy.

saip · Post by **saip** » 24 Aug 2010 04:07

Arjun Atwal won a PGA tournament yesterday. He is probably first Indian to win and became the first Monday qualifier to do so in 24 years

niran · Post by **niran** » 24 Aug 2010 14:50

SwamyG wrote:Amber: Now Vishy has been denied that honorary doctorate by bureaucracy.

why is that? he travels using Indian Passport, no?

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 25 Aug 2010 00:53

In India, Hon. Doctorate is reserved for Sania madam

. Wait a few more days and Sathyabama University will mint a new one for Saina madam too.

Champs: glory and groan
Fulfilment of goal of many years: Atwal
http://telegraphindia.com/1100824/jsp/f ... 847483.jsp

• What has Arjun Atwal achieved?
Atwal, 37, became the first Indian golfer to win a US PGA Tour event by lifting the Wyndham Championship on Sunday in Greensboro, North Carolina. The US PGA Tour is the most coveted Tour in the world.

• Is it an achievement only in the Indian context?
No, the Florida-based Atwal has done what no one in the world has for 24 years: win on the US PGA Tour as a “Monday qualifier.”

• Who is a Monday qualifier?
Someone who has come up through an early-week qualifying event, held
before the main tournament for those not automatically eligible for the main event.

• Why was Atwal not eligible?
He “lost his Tour card” last month after a poor run. Earlier, a shoulder injury had prevented him from playing and earning prize money.

• Has the situation changed now?
Yes. The victory has earned Atwal his status on the US PGA Tour for the rest of this year and the next two years. He will now qualify automatically for Tour events.

• Is winning a US PGA Tour event the ultimate in golf?
It is a close second. Winning one of the four Majors is the ultimate. These are: Augusta Masters, US Open, The (British) Open and PGA Championship.

The state of the affairs in Hockey India a la Suresh Kalmadi. Even if you give and take Gurbux Singh's camaraderie with Pargat Singh from days gone by, there is enough ammo in the works to say ack thoo.
http://telegraphindia.com/1100824/jsp/s ... 847448.jsp
Meanwhile, a hard hitting comment from KA.

FIH says it has de-recognized both IHF and IWHF in 2000 in its logic to support Hockey India. Then how, the Hockey India Promotion Project penned by Bob Davidzon in 2006 says the following?:
Present situation: At this moment there are three National Hockey (Con)Federations.
• Indian Hockey Federation: IHF (governing men’s hockey in India).
• Indian Women Hockey Federation: IWHF (governing women’s hockey in India).
• Indian Hockey Confederation: IHC (founded in 2000, to comply with the statutes and bye-laws of the FIH as the sole body - for men and women - representing India internationally).
The separate structure of hockey for men and women in India has historical, demographic and emotional backgrounds. There is however also a financial benefit whereas the two original federations are both recognised by the Indian Olympic Association (lOA) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and subsidised on national and state level. Possible cost savings through complete amalgamation will certainly not offset loss of subsidies. However there are a growing number of areas of common interest that should/could be dealt with by the IHC and its members. Over time the co-operation will no doubt bring benefits and should be encouraged both on national and state level. We understand the Project is a FIH document. What the present FIH has to say on this? Kindly note the Project was written in the mid-2006 and was accepted by India and FIH in 2007.

POINT TWO: Recognizing existence of IHF and IWHF, the same report went on to quote this in the next para which is as follows:
Next Steps
1. The executive Board(s) of the IHC (IHF/IWHF) has/have to decide whether they recognise these “areas of the concern” and have to declare themselves fully prepared to work together with the project leader (and where appropriate specialized consultants) to further investigate some of the areas and to develop strategic options.
2. Where appropriate the solidness and feasibility of the options will be tested.
3. The Executive Board(s) of the IHC (IHF/IWHF) has/have to decide on preferred options.
It is matter that everyone of us know the FIH dealt with IHF and IWHF to implement its India Project, and it is well-evident in each sentence of the report. We don't know why all of a sudden the FIH closes its eyes and would like us to believe it has de-recognized IHF and IWHF. IHF bosses are also aware that in the internationals organized by India (Indira Cup, women, in 2005, Champions Trophy, men, in 2005 only IHF or IWHF was there, each one neglecting the other)

POINT THREE: If FIH has to go by the statues of its own -- which is a subjective matter as it involves interpretations -- Government of India also should go by its own statutes? Govt has been ordered by the competent court to recognize IHF. Govt has no other way than what they have done. Therefore, it is incumbent of the FIH to cooperate with the Govt. How can a government expect to co-operate with an entity that says it is private?

Elsewhere, the women are off to the WC in Rosario, argentina. However, HI has come up (already!) that not much should be expected of the team. Why? The coaches Sandeep Somesh, Khalid Modi, Sandeep Kaur and Pritam Siwach are new. Did someone notice the == in terms of men and women coaches in the wake of MK Kaushik episode. Dilli billi feminist cabal has struck at what was once a sordid affair. In any case, the itinerary and my predos:

Aug 30: vs The Netherlands -- draw 2-2
Sept 1: vs Australia -- loss 2-3
Sept 3: vs Germany -- draw 3-3
Sept 5: vs Japan -- loss 0-3
Sept 7: vs New Zealand -- win 2-1

Will end up in the 5th to 8th's somewhere depending on which side of the bed the team wakes up in.

Diju-Jwala advance to third round in World Championship
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... z0xYJBnZr6

The ninth seeded Indians now play Singapore's Chayut Triyachart and Lei Yao who beat the third seeds Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Zieba in another match. In their head-to-head against the Singapore pair, the Indians lead having played them only once. It was a tight three game affair that Jwala-Diju won at the 2010 Indian Grand Prix. "In mixed doubles or for that matter in any match, you can't take anybody for granted," says Jwala. "They have beaten the third seeds so they must be in form. But I am confident that if we play well and stick to our plans, we should come through."

Hahha, should I laugh at what is happening with the IWF? Buggers appoint shady coaches who encourage doping. Folks get caught, the world body bans them repeatedly, they have huge fines piled on their backsides. Wherever the folks go, they end up tarring India's name by getting caught with this type of doping and that type of duping. The latest fine amount is 375K US$. CWGF refuses to give the Indian body money so that the fines can be cleared and the weightlifters allowed to participate in CWG. The deadline to pay was July 31, they got it pushed to August 31, sat on their asses till like 10 days before the due date. And now ddm is crying all over cos the weightlifters cant represent India otherwise. Where is the long laundry list of folks who have gotten caught? Noone, including Mme. Malleswari, is spotless here. Meanwhile,

“We are not asking them to pay for us, we are asking for a loan and are ready to pay it back with interest,” Yadav told DNA. Yadav said that Kalmadi may refuse but the sports ministry has given the directive, so somehow they have to bail them out of this situation. “It is a matter of life and death for other innocent lifters,” said Yadav.

How easy it is to paint everyone except a few lost idiots as innocent? The whole cabal is effed up. The Egyptian coach who quit said that. Sure, one should nt get caught in the agenda of furriners, but eh, only the brave will blink and lie down at repeated lies. I am neither brave nor an idiot to believe in bullshit when I see one.

Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 25 Aug 2010 13:18

Good to see your continued strong presence here Stan.

Speaking of badminton, the media has been flashing since morning that today is Saina's first game. Go Saina!

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 26 Aug 2010 02:11

Rs 28,000cr Games expense sounds like wrong priority: Premji
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 435358.cms

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 26 Aug 2010 02:19

Why are people counting infrastructure costs into the CWG2010 cost ? They are NOT part of the games expenses. Even the games village will become residential quarters come November. If the games gave a fillip to getting those infrastructure projects, then so be it - I'm thankful it served as a basis to rapidly develop fixed asset infrastructure in New Delhi. People making claims like 'it was supposed to cost Rs.650cr but now costs Rs.25000cr! scam!' are just motivated.

negi · Post by **negi** » 26 Aug 2010 08:37

India's future in boxing is in safe hands

Boxer Thapa wins silver at Youth Olympics

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 26 Aug 2010 10:07

^^^ Suraj, there are a lot of vested interests -- ranging from the Mani Shankar Aiyar type doofusi to the green-nazi Medha Patkar brigade -- who voice rubbish on CWG. As always, the responsibility is the reader's to understand what the real issues are.
1) The CWG bid was won under the Vajpayee regime with the conduct of the initial Afro-Asian games being the "proof" that India could hold a Games of such magnitude. 1982 Asiad was considered too far in the back given the new found focus on terrorism these days. Sahib Singh Verma, Sushma Swaraj, and the current folk running the affairs -- Shiela Dixit -- were all a part of decision making. The only common fixture between then and now is Suresh Kalmadi, but then even when my grandkid comes around, he will still be there as the center of the sporting universe that is India.
2) As the INC government took charge in 2004, the baton got passed on to Mani Shankar Aiyar from Vikram Verma and Vijay Goel. MSA as MSYA sat on his backside doing zilch on infra for CWG. His prime ambition was to bring all the Panchayati Raj leaders to Delhi for a grand mela, an ambition that would have costed the taxpayer on the upwards of 10000 crore Rs. This is the same MSA who wanted a rain dance during CWG.
3) The projected costs in the CWG bid were never even close to reality. ~600 odd crores for doing all that they said was just rubbish. It was meant to win the bid from Hamilton as the lower projected cost would have won. The sitting on the backside ballooned the costs with china consuming so much steel that it did/does.
4) Just because MSA did nt do any, he is not the only one to blame. The whole system is fubar. Shiela Dixit, Rahul Gandhi, Suresh Kalmadi etc were all no-shows to CWG till late 2008 when in the post-26/11 phase people started wondering how 26/11 would impact CWG. In fact, MS Gill was sent with the express mission of holding a safe and well prepared Games in 2008 or so. Not like he has done much given the magnitude of shite that needed done. The whole apparatus needed to work in sync, and only now is it working in a war mode. Till then, everyone was sleeping at the wheels. Who pays: the taxpayer, as usual.
5) The airport building and highways laying were never really included (initially and even now) in the budget. Delhi would nt have got this world-famous T3 but not for CWG, that is the institutional inertia in India. And surely, in India, we need a world-class airport instead of paying through our noses to use Dubai, KL, Spore, HK etc. But what about infra in other cities of India. Delhi got the services of E. Sreedharan, now can Blore, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Shillong, Orissa, etc. get a hand on him?
6) The Games Village will be the only useable part of the CWG building efforts, if one goes by the 82 Asiad record of lethargic and shady building. After the games are done with, the Games Village will be sold to the highest bidder, literally and figuratively. Now you have to figure who has invested in these real estate building, and who gets to the assured profits. Most of the folks are in the nbjprie cabal. The stadia and fields will be stitched in the last minute with patchwork fittings, and noone will go back and fix them once the Games are over. And they will rot for ever in underuse given the no. of babu stamps from SAI one needs to get to use these facilities ever again. In India, we do puja to facilities. Like every Ayudha Puja, we take them out, do a puja and keep it back for safekeeping. Sports mentality is bullshit in India, now we cant blame people for lacking one given the plethora of daily needs they fight for. But when the nbjprie cabal wants a bullshit show, all at the taxpayer cash, because they can make moneys in different forms from it, should a responsible Indian sit and take the shit that is shoved in his/her direction?
7) We had a World Cup hockey in early 2010 in India, FIH ran away with 70% of that profits. The Indian hockey players got essentially zero. Even Hockey India got little. Now one can understand why FIH wants Champions Trophy in India and why it is supporting Hockey India to the hilt. HI is a pliable body that will bequeath its profits to FIH in return for the short-term pleasure of running hockey in India. Even GoI wants HI out, yet the HI will cite the Societies Act and do as it pleases, by holding the gun of "India will not get represented in world events unless FIH approves the team, and they wont till we are the only representatives." The CWG profits (if any!!) will be taken up by the CWG Federation under Mike Fennell for CWG camaraderie and bonding efforts. The losses (of which there will be aplenty) will be underwritten by the Delhi govt and the Union govt under various bullshit schemes that the taxpayer cant figure even by using the RTI Act. You need eagle eyes with a lawyer and an accountant in such shady matters to figure where cash is being stolen under fancy schemes.

We are already paying goras through the nose on "advice" matters. Why else are the goras not whining about coming to Delhi 2010? In early 2009, every TD&H was whining about lethargic. When it is so late, none of these morons are whining and are promising that the Games will be fine. Even if the Indians are wondering what fine shit these morons are smoking. Suresh Kalmadi & co has shut up a lot of the whiner bags with cash aplenty. That is you and everyone's taxpayer cash.

No, these are positively NOT the corruption that people are talking about. Cos people just dont understand the real issues. Everyone has a whinebag profile coming from his/her background, the real whines are hidden underneath a mammoth of emotions ranging from anti-national to concerned.