Sunday, April 20, 2008
INTERVIEW - Karan Rastogi
Somdev Dev Varman and Yuki Bhambri may be gathering all the accolades but this week Karan Rastogi showed he's still in the reckoning as far as Indian tennis is concerned.
The Mumbai lad beat three Chinese players in straight sets to reach the semifinals of the $15,000 TCL Futures in Taizhou, China -- his best performance since winning the Morocco F5 Futures claycourt tournament in July last year.
The 480-ranked Rastogi fell to Zhe Li, yet another Chinese player, in the last four of the hardcourt tournament --- but not before showing glimpses of the form that have made him one of India's best prospects in the sport.
The 21-year-old also teamed up with Ashutosh Singh to win the doubles event in Taizhou, his first doubles title since triumphing with the same partner in the 2005 Chandigarh Futures.
Rastogi's semifinal run in China is expected to get him closer to the Top 400 in singles and a few consistent performances may see him cross his career-best ranking of 327, which he achieved as a 19-year-old in June 2006.
In this exclusive interview, Rastogi told The Indian Tennis Blog it's good to finally get some wins under his belt.
This is your first foray in the semis of a tennis tournament since winning in Morocco. Was reaching this far a confidence-booster for you?
It's always nice to win some matches. In the past I have been playing good matches but been a little unlucky not to win some - losing in third set tiebreakers and close matches. So it's good to get some wins under your belt.
China hadn't been too nice to you this year (losing opening round matches at both Futures in January) so did you enter this tournament hoping to live up to your seeding and get this far?
I really didn't think about winning or getting to the semis, finals... when I came here. I had my own goals in mind and I just wanted to enjoy my tennis and be happy at the end of the day with my effort.
You played four Chinese players at Taizhou - did the home crowd support put you under pressure? Was Zhe Li one Chinese player too many?
I've been playing a lot of matches where there has been home support against me so that really didn't have any effect on me. Saying that, Chinese players are tougher to beat in their own backyard.
What is your tennis schedule for April-end and May?
There is another $15,000 event next week in Taizhou, after that I play two more $15,000 events in Korea and then the two challengers in Delhi.
[Posted by T]
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Grand Slam dreams for Yuki Bhambri
Teenage prodigy Yuki Bhambri, considered by many to be India's next tennis great, is eyeing a junior Grand Slam title this year.
The 15-year-old's dream run in the 2008 Australian Open Boys' Singles in January ended in the semifinals, where he lost in three sets to eventual champion Bernard Tomic of Australia.
But his exploits at Melbourne Park gave Bhambri the impetus he needed, with another semifinal showing at the Asian Junior championship last week helping him rise to number 5 in the ITF Junior rankings.
"Reaching the semifinal at the Australian Open does give me a lot of confidence going into the next three Grand Slams this season," Bhambri told the Indian Tennis Blog.
Last week, American Ryan Harrison became the third player since 1990 to win a ATP main draw match before the age of 16 and Bhambri said he would have liked to join that group. But time is running out.
"I'm not sure if I will be able to participate in an ATP tournament before my birthday in July this year as my schedule is extremely busy," he said.
Currently at a career-best ranking of 1205 in the men's singles, the Delhi lad's quarterfinal run at the Chandigarh Futures event this month surprised many. Bhambri said he hoped to dominate the Indian circuit next year although juniors would continue to be a priority till the end of 2008.
But first he has to conquer a tough opponent -- his class X Board exams.
Once his exams get over this week, Bhambri is set for some junior Davis Cup action and the Delhi Challenger before heading to Europe for claycourt events in the run-up to the French Open.
[Posted by T]
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Indian motorsports all set for a change
A1 Team India CEO Andaleeb Sehgal is hell-bent to make India a prominent destination in the world of motorsports and he has some big plans to achieve that -- by developing the grassroots.
"We have started the programme of building Team India. We have a drivers and engineers development programme, we have the youngest and eldest drivers. 
Unfortunately Aditya (Patel) is not here, he is driving somewhere else. We are in talks with Armann. We want to pick up seven or eight drivers. Should Narain be far ahead on points and can skip some races, we can introduce some drivers. We want to run a bouquet of drivers," Sehgal said.
"Spice Group has launched its Team India Motorsports, we are an NGO of motorsports though it's open to a vibrant debate. We have an ambitious plan, we want to introduce as many formats in motorsports as possible."
He said this year a home series will be launched which would change the scenario of motorsports in India.
"We are conceptualising a series in India which will allow home drivers to drive in India than drive outside the country. We are in talks with partners for five-six venues for a seven to eight race series. The blueprint is ready, the roll-out plan is in play. I think early June will be a good time to launch it."
Sehgal said the series would provide the Indian drivers a first-hand experience of competitive racing and mould them for bigger events.
"We have zeroed down on five venues. It could be roads, a piece of land or an unused airport. The constructors are coming forward. The budget is not heavy like F1 or A1. These tracks will give exposure to our drivers who come from protective environments. In bigger places like Sepang they lose out and the European drivers' mental strength
demoralises them."
About A1 GP coming to India, Sehgal said, "We are trying very had and A1 GP is also trying very hard. But there are many protocols while bringing an event of this kind. But we have a very good chance of putting a race next season.
"Several Indian bodies, like Incredible India, airport authorities, construction companies are keen. It has been on fast track in last six months, the hype has started. And there are no hurdles, leaving aside matters related to logistics."
He said a few venues were being studied where the A1 GP could make its debut in the country.
"We have zeroed on in two-three venues. It could be Gurgaon and places around New Delhi, Goa and Jaipur. But nothing has been finalised," Sehgal said.
[Posted by Y]
Monday, April 7, 2008
Whom to blame....
Even as the players are being held responsible for the defeat in Ahmedabad, there are some important factors that point out that the selectors are equally to be blamed for the debacle.
The Indian team is fighting to put up XI fit players for the crucial second Test against South Africa but it is more baffling as to why the selectors picked a squad full of injured players.
Do we need stars or eleven players who can compete for five-days. It defies all logic as to why the five wise men decided to expand the squad to 16-members for the Kanpur match and brush off the injury concerns till the last day. A fully-fit 14-member squad would have enhanced India's chances to square the series.
Skipper Anil Kumble is struggling with a groin injury since the first Test in Chennai and it was no secret that he was not at his full strength in Ahmedabad. Yes, Kumble is must for India's chances but an unfit skipper will be a burden to the side. The story behind Ishant Sharma is bemusing. Time and again he was called for fitness tests in past two weeks. He failed the tests but was still retained in the squad and will go through another asessment on the match eve.
Our team boasts of a quality support staff. The team physio must have tabled fitness reports on individual players and that was enough for the selectors to take into account while naming the squad.
After the Australia series, some players were called for fitness tests in Bangalore for the current series but many did not turn up. It was very clear that they are trying to hide injuries and with the Indian Premier League round the corner, nobody wants to sit out.
Had there been enough time between matches in the South Africa series, the decision to retain the unfit players and give them time to improve would have had some logic. But there are hardly two days between the Tests and the selectors should have been alert and given the right message to the players.
India faced a selection dilemma before the Ahmedabad match and there is more trouble this time.
R P Singh was totally out of sorts in both the matches and the result was for everyone to see. We are looking to give South Africa a turner in Kanpur but will there be any bowlers to exploit it. South Africa might have the last laugh.
Mahesh Bhupathi gears up for French Open
A straight-set loss to the Bryan siblings must rankle - especially when it comes in the final of a Masters tournament. But Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles need not despair. There are plenty of opportunities ahead as the ATP Tour moves inexorably towards the second Grand Slam of the Year.
The Indian doubles specialist has a lot going for him. This is Bhupathi's best season-opening performance since 2004 when he and Fabrice Santoro of France annexed titles at Auckland and Dubai in the run-up to the French Open.
This time around, Bhupathi and Knowles laid claim to back-to-back titles at Memphis and Dubai without dropping a set, racing to number two in the ATP Doubles Race.
They won 14 of their last 15 matches - until they ran into the Bryan brothers. And it took just 53 minutes for the Americans to carve out an emphatic 6-2, 6-2 victory in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open.
So is winning the doubles crown at Roland Garros still on his wishlist for 2008?
"Of course it is," the 33-year-old Bhupathi told the Indian Sports Blog.
It's not an impossible task. Bhupathi won on Parisian clay in 1999 and 2001 (both times with Leander Paes). And he may win again. It's just a question of peaking at the right time.
[Posted by T]
Friday, April 4, 2008
Lessons to be learned from Santiago
(by Bob Davidzon , project leader Promoting Indian Hockey)
With reference to the criticism expressed by the coaching staff of the National hockey team (men), after missing the qualification for Beijing, the following may be of interest to your readers :
Besides the “National Game of India “, hockey is an international game, with international rules both for playing the game and conducting the tournaments.
Code of Conduct
At international tournaments, team managers take the responsibility by signing the Code of Conduct on behalf of the team assuring that their players and their staff will adhere to it.
Clear rules about disciplinary consequences of awarded cards are spelled out to them as well.
It is in the power of the manager to agree with the Tournament Director on a time and venue to have the compulsory “reading out” of the sentences to the players involved in an incident and that does not have to take place “in the middle of the night “…..
The Code of Conduct is also very clear that all participants in a tournament ( officials and players ) undertake that public statements at home or abroad ( be it verbally or in print ) must be “fair, constructive and reasonable and must not involve a personal attack on another player, umpire, appointed official or administrator “ Non adherence can lead to sanctions by the FIH for the persons concerned and the utterances by the coaching staff of India upon its return are at the moment under review and sanctions may apply .
Rules knowledge
The knowledge of the rules and the tournament briefing for the team and its staff was ( as with some other teams ) well below par , which leads to unjustified criticism on and appeal to the umpires and possibly “human” reaction from their side.
The level of abuse and criticism of umpires that seems to be acceptable in India is certainly not the international standard. It is not only the players that are at fault in this respect. It starts from the top of Federations, through dignitaries and team management downwards. Players should not be given the excuse to refer to the attitude of those who should be role models in this respect. .
Tournament composition
New formats of (qualifying) tournaments are widely circulated to member countries for consultation well in advance before a decision is taken whether they come into force or not. That is the time that input should be given . It does help the concentration of the players to query the format after the decision has been taken.
Match schedule
Match schedules for (qualifying) tournaments are circulated well in advance to the participating countries. Then is the time to put in any requests that may be accommodated or not. Once participating in the tournament it does not help to put doubt in players’ minds that they are faced with an “unfair” schedule.
Acclimatization
The ( medical ) standard rule for proper acclimatization is 1 day per 1 hour time difference. Falling short on this rule for whatever reason ( finance, planning ? ) is running a risk with a price tag that can be high.
Travel arrangements
Athletes deserve proper attention. Airlines should serve the players at their reasonable convenience and athletes should not be used to fill various cheaper flights. Proper and timely planning is a MUST . Clear job descriptions for Team managers have been made available by the FIH ( including travel arrangements) but unfortunately have hardly been applied.
Help
Any coach in charge of any national team should select the best players available
and surround himself with the best staff specialists, selected on merit only . He should apply the latest knowledge regarding physical training, video analysis of games and training , mental training, medicals, competitor analysis etc . and in case not mastering any of these areas himself , take all the help available to achieve the maximum result .
May these (free) lessons learned from Santiago help the Indian women team to qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing at their upcoming tournament in Kazan
[Posted by Y]
Batra questions Mani, Randhir, IHF
Sirs,
This has reference to statement made by Honorable Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Government of India ( Ministry ). Regarding Indian Hockey Federation ( IHF ) after the defeat in Pre – Olympic Qualifier of Men’s Team. ‘ His Statement was ‘ – “ That he is helpless because of the Olympic Charter”.
And Mr. Randhir Singh – Secretary General Indian Olympic Association ( IOA ) said – “ IHF is a Democratically Elected Body and Hence IOA cannot do anything “
My contention is that both the Minister Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar and Mr. Randhir Singh ( IOA ) Have Misinformed the Nation about Our National Game, and My Questions to Both of them are as below.
Q:1:-Indian Hockey Federation ( IHF ) Ceased to Exist form 2001/2002, to be the National Sports Federation ( NSF ) to represent India Mens in International World Hockey. Because FIH the World Body for Mens & Women Hockey, informed IHF & IWHF that in Olympics only One Body represents both Men & Women and If in India Both of them do not merge, Then FIH will De-recognize both. It was then in 2001/2002, the same Mr. Randhir Singh of IOA gave Recognition to IHC in India to Represent both Men & Women Hockey Teams in World Events and FIH then Recognized IHC and Disaffiliated IHF & IWHF. Are Minister & Mr. Randhir Singh ( IOA) aware of it or not ?
Q:2:- If IHF has ceased to represent India in International Tournaments since 2001/2002, then how is it a Democratically Elected Body and how is Olympic Charter applicable on a body which is not Recognized by Federation of International Hockey ( FIH ) and which ( IHF ) does not anymore represent India in World Hockey Since 2001/2002 ?
Copy of the FIH Statutes & Bye Laws enclosed from Page No 4 to 34 and approved list of National Federations form Page No 32 to 34 and approved National Federation of India by FIH at Page No 32 known as Indian Hockey Confederation ( IHC ), at S.No : 43 in the list.
Q:3:- IF Indian Hockey Confederation ( IHC ) is recognized by FIH, then who is Indian Hockey Federation ( IHF ). Can both Minister & Mr. Randhir Singh clarify the same ?
Q:4:- How Many National Sports Federations Per Game can Ministry and IOA recognize. As per law only one. Then how have Ministry and IOA recognized 2 bodies i.e. IHF and IHC for Mens Hockey. Which is against the MOA of IOA enclosed from Page No: 35 to 71 and guidelines of the Ministry from Page No: 72 to 122 would the Minister and Mr. Randhir Singh IOA kindly clarify the same ?
Q:5:- As per Ministry Guidelines, they can only give Grant to that Recognized NSF which represents India in International Tournaments as given in Guidelines at Page No: 73 to 78 The details of grant given till 2004- 05 given at Page No : 123 . Can Minister clarify this Generosity by it to IHF out of Tax Payers Money ?
Q:6:- Can People Convicted in Criminal Cases be Part of Sports Bodies, will Ministry & IOA clarify , and also IOA to further clarify that does FIH & IOC also Permit the same under Olympic charter – ( Olympic charter enclosed form Page No: 124 to 192 ) ?
Q:7:- If I propose to make ‘ Batra Hockey Federation ‘ and decide to send Indian Team, will I have given permission by IOA & Grant by Ministry in the same manner in which IHF is being given ?
Q:8:- If no one is declaring Himself / Herself as President and Other Office Bearers of IHC, Then can Ministry & IOA Accept Me as Self Declared President of IHC, the NSF of India Recognized by FIH. Constitution of IHC enclosed from Page No : 193 to 209 ?
Q:9:- Enclosing letter from IHC to FIH, IOA and Asian Hockey Federation at Page No : 210, Also enclosing Invitation for 7th Indira Gandhi Gold Cup Hockey Tournament on 1st October 2005 from Page No : 211 to 212. Are both Minister and IOA aware of IHC existence ?
Q:10:- Who is Mr. K.P.S. Gill and in What Capacity is Minister, Ministry and IOA Dealing with Him Regarding Men’s Hockey In India ?
Q:11:- Since Ministry & IOA both have to send Representatives in Elections of NSF’S, can both Minister and Mr. Randhir Singh, confirms if they have knowledge of any election having taken place in IHC, since 2001, ( The time when IHC came into being).
Q:12:- Are the Minister and Mr. Randhir Singh willing to Admit Before the Nation that they have Together Misled and Misinformed the Nation, Regarding affairs and existence of IHF in India and IHC ?
If Ministry & Mr. Randhir Singh ( IOA) do not clarify within 7 days of this e’mail, then I Reserve my Right to Avail all Recourses Available to Me as Citizen of India to Make the Public aware of the same, and get the correct facts before the Nation about its National Game.
And If the Same is not Clarified in 7 days, then I will Assume that my Facts are Correct and as First Measure will Hold a Press Conference after 7 days, to bring True Facts Before the Nation.
Regards
Narinder Batra.
Former Sr. V.P. IHF ( Not Recognized Body )
Note : I Assume Since Below are Basic Documents and Hence Ministry and IOA both
must have :-
(a):- Statutes & Bay Laws of FIH.
(b):- MOA of IOA.
(c):- Guidelines of Sports Ministry.
(d):- Constitution of IHC.
(e):- Olympic Charter.
(f):- Correspondence of / by IHC.
In case you still require all the above , I can send the booklet. Please send your request mail with address at (a):- baltic@bol.net.in
(b):- baltic@baltic.in
[Posted by Y]
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
IHF set to get a tight slap
For all their crazy ways of functioning and ill-treatment of a great like Ric Charlesworth, the Indian Hockey Federation top brass have got a good snub from the Aussie. A classic case of having received a dose of their own medicine.
The fact that Hockey Australia is keen to hire Charlesworth as the head coach of their men's team and the multifarious genius is willing to apply for the job is not a trivial issue. This clearly shows the disgust of the Aussie with the state of affairs in Indian hockey and his sense of urgency to run away from such a corroding system.
India's coach Joaquim Carvalho claimed that Charlesworth is dying to take over the charge of the men's team. And unfortunately his fellow Mumbaikar the great cricketer Sunil Gavaskar backed Carvalho saying the Aussie should work at the Indian's salary if he wanted to help India out.
But with his records as a player and a coach, Charlesworth would definitely take it as an offence to be compared to any Indian coach. And, strangely, why Gavaskar did not propose the BCCI to hire an Indian coach for Indian cricket team or pay Gary Kirsten on par with an Indian?
Considering Charlesworth's experience, expertise and credentials, it would be an offence for the Australian to be compared to any Indian coach.
Coming back to Charlesworth's possibility to go back to his homeland, it's most likely that the Aussie would prefer to work with Hockey Australia than sticking to the politicking Indian officials, who love to disrespect the legend.
The Australian has given enough indication that he would apply for the job and considering the fact that he was in the reckoning for it twice before, he stands a good chance to take over as the coach of his national men's team after the Olympics.
And that would be a tight slap on the Indian hockey bosses face. Of course, it is another thing whether the IHF guys take it as an embarrassment.
[Posted by Y]
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Anxious wait for Mohammad Yousuf
The hearing in the matter of Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf's dispute with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) was concluded on March 29 and the Arbitrator Dr. Saraf (Retd), Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir High Court, reserved the judgement after hearing both parties.
In the meanwhile, the interim injunction restraining Yousuf from participating in any rival league of the ICL, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), still stays and he cannot play for the BCCI-backed venture just yet.
[Posted by Y]
Friday, March 28, 2008
How to treat your guest? IHF shows the way
How do you treat your guest?
If you do not know, then follow in the footsteps of the Indian Hockey Federation.
Ric Charlesworth is one of the legends of the game with the experience of five Olympics and coaching the Australian women's team to two Olympic golds. Besides, he is a doctor and a former domestic cricketer of Western Australia. Moreover, he was a High Performance Manager with New Zealand Cricket, an ex-MP and a motivational speaker.
He was appointed as the Technical Advisor of Indian hockey. But the IHF snubbed him, treated him like an untouchable. He roamed around the country for four months to assess the situation.
Then, on the insistence of an insecure Joaquim Carvalho, the coach of the Indian team, the Aussie legend was not given a ticket to Chile to accompany the team for the Olympics qualifiers and was left stranded in Perth.
After India missed out on a berth in the Olympics for the first time in 80 years, the IHF started to lick its wounds and under the heavy media scrutiny finally gave a ticket to Charlesworth to come back to India.
But his plight was not over. He was stationed at Hotel Rajdoot -- a well-known shady joint in Delhi -- and was kept on tenterhooks by not being invited for a proper meeting for long hours.
The IHF preferred to talk to the Sports Ministry officials and unilaterally decided to keep Charlesworth away from the men's senior team. It was decided that he be given the charge of only the junior sides.
Later, when Charlesworth said no to the offer after learning the news from the media, IHF invited him to Gill's house after being "arm-twisted" by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
And what did they provide him for conveyance? An old Maruti Omni, into which both Charlesworth and FIH's Bob Davidzon squeezed themselves to travel for the important meetings. It's an irony because a few comfortable vehicles were parked at Gill's house round the clock.
All this go on to show the mean attitude of the IHF towards a foreigner and above all a guest. At least, they should nurture the commonsense that they are representing the country and by such foolish acts they are only depicting a poor picture of India to the world.
[Posted by Y]
Thursday, March 27, 2008
India gives up 2011 World Junior TT bid to Bahrain
Bahrain is to host the 2011 World Junior Table Tennis Championships after India withdrew from the bidding proces on the request of the Asian Table Tennis Federation (ATTF).
"On the request of the ATTF, we withdrew from the bidding process and unanimously decided to give Bahrain the chance," said Dhanraj Choudhary, Technical Committee chairman at the Table Tennis Federation of India(TTFI).
"It was our goodwill gesture towards ATTF as the federation had earlier helped us in getting the 2009 Asian Championships over Kuwait," he said.
Choudhary also said that the venue of this year's Indian Open Table Tennis Championship, to be held between October 29 to November 2, had been shifted to Indore.
The inaugural Indian Open had been held in New Delhi last year.
"There is hardly any place available in Delhi as all the stadiums here are under renovation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games," Choudhary said.
[Posted by S]
Bad wrist ruins Sania Mirza's outing at Miami Masters
Just when it seemed Sania Mirza was back on track to zoom up the rankings, the tennis ace has been laid low by a chronic wrist injury.
Mirza, 21, withdrew from the $3.7 million Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Wednesday after being troubled by a wrist injury she sustained at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells last week.
The Hyderabadi player, seeded 29th in the second Masters tournament of the year, had been handed a bye in the first round with a potential showdown against nemesis Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in the third round.
Mirza's pullout was an opportune one for lucky loser Mariya Koryttseva of Ukraine who won her place in the main draw.
[Posted by S]
Rohan Bopanna learns the ABC of ATP
Well, it's back to school for Rohan Bopanna. He joined 20 other tennis players including American John Isner and Thailand's Ratiwatana siblings for a 3-day ATP workshop (March 19-21) in Orlando.
The workshop covered topics including the history of the ATP, how to control personal finances, and the importance of media and promoting the sport.
ATP University has now celebrated its 700th graduate since the program began in 1990. In fact, all Division 1 ATP player members are expected to pass through the University.
But the 28-year-old Indian now has to do more on the tennis court to salvage his singles career - he's currently ranked only 328 and lost his status as India's best male player to Prakash Amritraj.
That's more than a 100 positions below a career-high of 213 achieved in July last year.
His doubles record is sparkling though and he's back at a career-high 54 on the ATP list, thanks to a quarterfinal spot at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships earlier this month partnering Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.
[Posted by T]
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Australia risk losing face in cricket
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