Abhinav Bindra by Maxin Mathew

cmyk

sport

Halappa back in squad

Many in India had not heard of Abhinav Bindra, a bespectacled and polished fellow who lives to shoot, until Monday, August 11. With scores tied and a gripping climax prevailing over the Beijing shooting range, Bindra’s “goldfinger” triggered a shot that resounded all over the world, a shot that set a billion-strong nation free from an 108-year-old Olympian incompetency

NEW DELHI

Team: Goalkeepers: Baljit Singh, Adrian D’Souza; Fullbacks: Dilip Tirkey, Sandeep Singh, V.R. Raghunath; Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, V.S. Vinaya, Sardar Singh, Vikram Pillay, Prabodh Tirkey, Vikas Pillay; Forwards: Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandker, Prabhjot Singh, Deepak Thakur, Bharat Chhikara, Arjun Halappa, Shivendra Singh, S.V. Sunil, Ravi Pal Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Hari Prasad; Standbyes: P.R. Sreejesh, Bharat Chetri, William Xalxo, Samir Baxla, Ajitesh Rai, Ignace Tirkey, Senthil Kumar, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Birender Lakra, Bikas Toppo, Roshan Minz, Osaf ur Rehman

Hitting the bulls eye

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Dec. 26: Out of action for the last eight months, the Indian hockey team will finally get some muchneeded match-play as they prepare for a four-match test series against Argentina early next year. The Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee on Friday picked a 22-member team for the India-Argentina series, and the double leg four-nation Punjab Gold Cup that follows in Chandigarh. The shortlist sees the return of striker Deepak Thakur, as also midfielders Arjuna Halappa, and V.S. Vinaya, who often found themselves out of favour dring the K.P.S. Gillregime. The squad will leave for Argentina on January 11 and will play four tests at Mar de Plata, a city located in the Buenos Aires province. The Tests will be held on January 18, 19, 21 and 22. India will then take on Germany and The Netherlands in the Punjab Gold Cup from January 31. The ad-hoc committee is yet to decide on the fourth team, after the Pakistan central government refused to send their team owing to the strained relations between the two nations.

Bengaluru ● Saturday ● 27 December 2008

SHOOTING

BY MAXIN MATHEW

f Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s silver medal in Athens had brought shooting into contention, then Bindra’s first-ever individual gold medal has given the sport the boost that it was seriously lacking. So what if he didn’t whoop, beam and shout out in joy after realising his achievement? What if he didn’t somersault his way to the podium and shed tears of joy when the national anthem was being played? Every single Indian who saw the tri-colour being hoisted amidst the anthem and in the backdrop of a calm and composed Bindra leapt, clapped, wept and cheered wherever they were on witnessing this historical moment for Indian sports in the world’s biggest sporting extravaganza. The 26-year-old from Chandigarh entered as one of the youngest Indian competitors in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he missed out the finals by a whisker. In Athens, he reached the last eight. In Beijing this year, he fought back a niggling back injury to emerge the last man standing. Clearly, it was determination personified. Ridden with lack of government support and facilities, one would hardly expect shooting to prop up stars. But Beijing saw nine shooters clear the cut for

The year that was...

his year has been a great learning year for me. There are always ups and downs in the career of a sportsperson and he or she must learn to accept it. Beijing was one such event where I didn’t do well. From 2003-06, I was at my prime form and for four years had cemented my position among the world’s top five marksmen. There was never a moment when I experienced any setback, starting with my first-ever medal in the 2002 Commonwealth

the main event after surviving a strenuous qualification system, re-emphasising that India surely had talented marksmen. Not many had a good run as what Bindra got and the worst-hit among them was Rathore. With a billion hopes and expectations resting on him after his superlative Athens show, Rathore failed to deliver. Disarrayed marking and a below-par performance saw the lieutenant colonel shunted out of medal contention. The saddening image of a dejected Rathore with his Perazzi gun hung over his shoulders will take some time to fade away from our memories. Though other shooters such as Manavjit Singh Sandhu, Mansher Singh, Anjali Bhagwat, Samresh Jung and Avneet Kaur Sidhu too went out without a bang, Bindra’s gold perhaps will be the saving grace for Indian shooting. Another potential medalist could have been Gagan Narang, who too almost made it into contention but lost out on a final place in countback, a rule which has now been nullified. However, what has been striking about this 25-year-old has been his resilience. Biting back his Beijing disappointment, Narang shot a world record score of 703.5 to win gold at the World Cup finals in Bangkok. He won the event hands down, and what was more rewarding for him was to defeat Beijing silver and bronze medalists Chinese Zhu Qinan and Finn Henri Hakkinen. He shot a perfect 600 in quali-

fication, 60 successive shots that hit the bulls eye. If that doesn’t speak of his caliber, then perhaps nothing will. Moreover, in a perfect end to the year, the International Shooting Sports Federation named Bindra, Narang and Ronjan Singh Sodhi among the world’s top ten best marksmen. Back to back Olympic medals but still shooting is a struggling sport. With no proper system in place, shooters are up in voices against the inadequate facilities ranging from lack of equipment and ammunition to a helping hand from the government. One must also note that Bindra comes from a highly affluent family that can afford him an air-conditioned shooting range of his own, not to mention his training stints in Germany. Similarly, Rathore was a product of the army’s initiative to encourage talented sportspersons within the ranks. But things are set to change, if one goes by Bindra’s plans to set up a chain of schools across India where sports culture is spread among kids along with their regular curriculum. Narang too, is a beneficiary of Gold Quest Project, an initiative by Prakash Padukone and Geet Sethi, which nurtures bright prospects for future tournaments. Therefore if shooting gets the kind of backing that cricket gets in the years to come, then surely many more Bindras and Rathores will get the encouragement to go out all guns blazing.

It’s easy for people to say I buckled under pressure

In 2006, I lost my Perazzi (gun) which had won me Olympic quota a few days ago. Though I got it after nearly a month, it was difficult to Athens silver medallist get adjusted and catch my form again. Also, I had dedicated my two Games in Manchester, with the record years in preparation for the Olympics still remaining unbeaten. It was after and in 2007, withdrew from all major 2006 that a series of unfortunate events events so that I could concentrate more affected my performance in the events on it. But I took a risk; I thought of to come. bringing about a change in my tech-

Rajyavardhan Rathore

nique. That move didn’t pay off well. The new change was doing nothing to improve my consistency and I was not happy with it. With four months left for the Olympics, I decided to go back to my old technique. Technically, I had just four months to prepare, which was certainly not what I had planned. It’s very easy for people to say that I buckled under pressure, without knowing the intricacies of training.

Shooting is an amateur sport at the Olympics and does not have many professional championships. Recognition is the greatest motivation. We need more resources and opportunities to see an increased participation. 2009 is a year of training, in preparation for the 2010 CWG and the Asian Games. I have assessed myself in this short break I took and will start afresh aiming for victory. As told to Maxin Mathew

Hasan pegs back Bangla Gayle turns ‘eliminator’ as WI win

Ricky Ponting.

PHOTO: Reuters

Proteas strike after Ponting ton Melbourne, Dec. 26: Captain Ricky Ponting hit back at his critics with a rebellious century as Australia made 280 for six in the first innings on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa here on Friday. At close of play, vicecaptain Michael Clarke was batting on 54 with Brett Lee, who was yet to open his account after Brad Haddin (40) departed in the penultimate over of the day. Ponting led Australia with his classy 37th Test century as Matthew Hayden’s (8) poor form continued in the second Test as well. A century at his happy hunting ground would have stopped those who were doubting whether Hayden would

retire at the end of the series, but it was not to be. Ponting (101) and Simon Katich (54) then gave stability to the shaky start with their 107-run stand for the second wicket. Fast bowler Dale Steyn then struck to remove both Katich and Mike Hussey (0) in quick succession as Australia slumped to 143 for three. An injured Andrew Symonds (27), failed to capitalise on the good start and fell to Morne Morkel caught by a diving Jacques Kallis to leave the hosts at 223 for five. Brief scores: Australia I innings 280/6 in 90 overs (S Katich 54, R Ponting 101, M Clarke batting 36, A Symonds 27, B Haddin 40, D Steyn 2/61, M Ntini 2/71) vs South Africa.

—Agencies

Regd. No. SDHO/8/2006-08 Published by Raja Vishnu Mohan on behalf of Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited from 22, Campbell Road, Austin Town, Bangalore-560 047 and Printed by him at Deccan Chronicle Press at 177/178/179, Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore-560 099. Editor: A.T. Jayanti RNI Registration No.KARENG/2008/24762

Dhaka, Dec. 26: Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan claimed three wickets as Bangladesh left Sri Lanka stuttering at 172 for six before bad light stopped play early on the opening day of the first test Friday. Shakib added Tillakaratne Dilshan to his tally in the final session after scalping Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene before tea to return with three for 43, while Shahadat Hossain chipped in with 247. Sangakkara scored 43 runs before he

was caught at midwicket by Mohammad Ashraful ending a 95-run stand with Michael Vandort. Sri Lanka added two more runs before Shahadat removed Vandort for 44, the opener caught by Shakib after he had mistimed a pull shot. Shakib then bowled Mahela Jayawardene for three as a trio of Sri Lankan wickets fell for just 16 runs. Brief scores: Sri Lanka I innings 172/6 in 57.4 overs (M. Vandort 44, K. Sangakkara 43, Shahadat 2/47, Shakib 3/43) vs Bangladesh.

—Reuters

Auckland, Dec. 26: A Chris Gayle blast in a special “eliminator over” broke the deadlock between the West Indies and New Zealand to give the tourists the honours in the opening Twenty20 cricket match here on Friday. After two drawn Tests earlier in the month, the series moved to the limited overs segment with the first Twenty20 clash ending in a 155-all tie, resulting in the first use in a Twenty20

international of a one-over playoff. Gayle, who had the Midas touch throughout the match, taking two for 16 and top-scoring with 67, belted 25 including three sixes and a four in the eliminator over off New Zealand’s star bowler Daniel Vettori. New Zealand in reply had lost their two wickets for 15 by the fourth ball bowled by Suleiman Benn.

When Vettori won the toss he had no hesitation in batting first but apart from Ross Taylor who made 62, New Zealand’s big hitters were never able to control the West Indies attack. Brief scores: New Zealand 155/7 (Taylor 63, Styris 21, Baker 1/32, Edwards 1/28, Benn 1/20, Gayle 2/16) lost to West Indies 155/8 (Gayle 67, Marshall 28, Findlay 19, Mills 1/27, Patel 2/34, Vettori 3/16); Eliminator over: West Indies 25, New Zealand 15. —AFP