tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32157534142746943772024-03-13T04:52:50.148+05:30Rajyavardhan Rathorechillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-47795398184554355762012-04-03T04:06:00.012+05:302012-04-04T19:27:18.943+05:30Let Your Mind Takeover<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); white-space: pre; "> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">With the London Olympics around the corner, the questions in all of our mind is, "How many medals is India going to win"? Being so close to top competitive form myself, fresh off the 2 Olympics that i have competed in and having the experience of both winning and loosing, i can actually feel myself get into the skin of every Indian athlete bound for the mega sporting extravaganza. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>There are four months to the opening ceremony and here onwards, the mind takes over. The competitions prior to the Olympic Games can be extremely important. Every sportsperson will sensibily use these opportunities to be in top competitive form by Jul/Aug at the time of the Games. Like a Tiger in sight of the prey in a herd, instinct will tell him when to launch, provided he has had the experience to have built one and trusts his instinct.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Who you win against, how you win, or how you have played even if lost, the ability and the confidence to re produce the moves, or the small errors that you are happy to have noticed now rather then later, the feeling of conserving the hunger to win- to let a weaker player win prior to the Olympics and smile within. The continuous tempering of your mind, like a guitar that is being tuned to play the perfect note when called upon; the feeling itself is sheer magic. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Just like being in the thick of anti terrorist operations- heightened senses, ready yet relaxed muscles, eyes watching in peripheral vision, listening in to the people and sensing their emotions for a give away, the feeling of being hunted while hunting. Such moments are pure magic, off course, only later. At that moment, you are zoned, too involved to feel pleasure or fear and if you do feel either, you are close to being dead, be it a soldier or a sportsperson (figuratively).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>I have a good sense of how each of our athletes and sportspersons will fare. Its also time to leave them to do what best they can do. The unpredictability is the spice of life and hope keeps us going, the mind is so powerful that it maker turn dreams into reality. Lets watch them closely from now to the Olympic Games and may the best player win. Sports to look out for- Boxing, Archery, Shooting, Badminton</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre;font-size:130%;color:#993399;" > </span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-13274493620904569602011-11-25T17:53:00.001+05:302011-11-25T17:57:07.879+05:30A Life Saving Intervention to Resurrect Sports<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>667</o:Words> <o:characters>3806</o:Characters> <o:company>army</o:Company> <o:lines>31</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>4465</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> 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style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">We are living in a world that is constantly changing. Yet, ironically, India’s Sports bodies do not want to change. Implying that either our present sports administrations are much superior to that of other countries or that we have interests other then sports and prestige of our country guiding our actions.</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Why are sports important? Why should WE as a Nation bother?</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">We bother because we take pride to be Indians and sports is directly linked to national pride.</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Sports are a part of any countries ‘soft power’ projection and to take charge of our own destiny in the arena of sports, we need to involve all stakeholders right from stage of preparation to celebration of victories. It’s time that positive changes were introduced in the functioning of Sports bodies.</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The onus to bring in the change thus falls onto the ‘Ministry’ that deals with Indian sports. It is here the surgeon’s knife, which cuts to heal is required. If this is termed as ‘intervention’, then it is life saving intervention. In short, we have to rescue sports from administrative apathy and lethargy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The sports bodies are crying foul about infringement of autonomy. The writing is on the wall, the <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>governments that have set their houses in order are of major sporting nations- USA (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ted Stevens and Amateur Sports Act 1998)</i>, South Africa (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">National Sports and Recreation Act 1998</i>), France (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">France Code of Sports)</i> last amended in 2006, to the extent our neighbours too have kept pace, Sri Lanka (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Sports Act 2005</i>), Malaysia (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Sports Development Act 1997)</i> to name a few.</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Lets consider the key issues being introduced via the bill:-</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Sports persons to be part of governing body</span></b><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">: A governing body is the highest decision making entity in sports bodies. Consider this, you go for an emergency operation in a hospital and find the team about to operate on you is that of MBA’s; would you let them operate just because they partly administer the hospital. Why is result so important here and not in sports; because here the pain is part of us, however in sports we can get into denial mode and look the other way. The presence of sportspersons will provide the much-needed technical expertise while taking important decisions in the interest of the sport. The sportspersons, to be on the board, will be elected from amongst themselves.</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The sports bodies to come under ‘Right To Information Act’</span></b><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">: Administering sports for a country is a public obligation not a private business. It gives the administrators privileges and also shoulders them with certain responsibilities -being answerable to the citizens of the country. RTI is however applicable for only a part of the functions of the sports bodies and not with team selections and personal information about the athlete. Coming under the purview of RTI Act has a big pay off too; transparency in the functioning of the sports bodies will encourage corporates to extend financial support, something that is lacking in present sporting environment. The present decadence in our sports bodies and the way they are perceived is a direct result of lack of transparency and application of RTI Act will go a long way in ameliorating the situation.</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The age and tenure limit</span></b><span style="font-size: 21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">: Now per se, I agree that age and efficiency are not indirectly proportional. There are a few good workers in our existing sport bodies. The exceptions however prove the rule. A sports body ought to be quite the opposite of a permanent residence; it should be the active grounds for bright ideas, administrators on their toes just as the athletes are, that’s when you are poised to perform. The occupants state a counter charge, “the prime minister does not have an age or tenure limit so why should we”. This only suggests the absurdity of the argument. The closest example should have been the charter of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) itself, which limits the age and tenure. It is followed in many countries including USA and China yet the IOC does not recommend it for India. 12 years, as the suggested tenure cap, is a time long enough for policies to be implemented and their results to be seen. For the efficient, it is enough and for others it will never be enough.</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The ‘mantra’ to success in any field is adaptation and innovation, infusion of new ideas and good doze of young blood. In sports too this is the path to follow and the road to success has to begin by changing the way our Sports bodies are organized and the way our sports mandarins work.</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-61074140251482475402010-10-18T22:15:00.005+05:302010-10-18T22:23:33.844+05:30Life's A Race, Is It Really!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span >I received this as an email. I found it inspiring and thus have put it on my blog for you to read:-</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span >It was a Sports Stadium.<br />Eight Children were standing on the track to participate in a running event.<br />* Ready! * Steady! * Bang !!!<br />With the sound of Toy pistol,<br />All eight girls started running.<br />Hardly had they covered ten to fifteen steps,<br />when one of the smaller girls slipped and fell down,<br />Due to bruises and pain she started crying.<br />When the other seven girls heard the little girl cry they stopped running, stood for a while and turned back.<br />Seeing the girl on the track they all ran to help.<br />One among them bent down, picked her up and kissed her gently<br />And enquired as to how she was..<br />They then lifted the fallen girl pacifying her.</span><span style="color: blue; "><br /><span >Two of them held her firmly while all seven joined hands together and walked together towards the winning post........ </span></span><br /><span >There was pin drop silence at the spectator's stand.<br />Officials were shocked.<br />Slow claps multiplied to thousands as the spectators stood up in appreciation.<br />Many eyes were filled with tears<br />And perhaps even God's!<br />YES.!! This happened in Hyderabad [INDIA], recently!<br />The sport was conducted by </span><span style="color: rgb(191, 0, 95); "><br /><span >National Institute of Mental Health.</span></span><br /><span >All these special girls had come to participate in this event<br />They were <span style="color: rgb(192, 0, 0); ">spastic children.</span><br />Yes, they were Mentally Challenged.</span><span style="color: blue; "><br /></span><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 127, 64); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span></span></b></span></div>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-53144031642575355012010-08-31T19:01:00.008+05:302010-09-01T18:55:40.850+05:30CWG Selection Trials<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">I think, as sportsmen, we all go through the adversities created by our sports officials some time or the other.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><b>Basically</b> - our previous selection policy was- </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">selection trials are held for competitions in the forthcoming 2 months calender (and if someone has won a medal in the immediate past or had an exceptional performance then he is excused form trials, if he so desires with permission of Federation)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Hence after taking 2009 off I planned to start training by Jan 2010 and be in form by Jun 2010 for World Shooting Championships (WSC) 2010.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />However in Mar 2010, we got stumped by the Federation when they announced a new selection policy. The new policy was to follow a system of adding up all scores shot by shooters and averaging them out. The highest aggregate gets selected.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><b>The problems</b>- </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><b>1</b>. The policy was implemented in Mar 2010 but scores were retrospectively taken from previous months like Feb 2010...giving rise to prejudice and bias</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><b>2</b>. Scores shot by Indian shooters abroad in different (mostly better) conditions were to be compared to scores shot in humid, hot and windy conditions prevailing in the summer months in India.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><b>3</b>. Taken by surprise, since i was not in form in early 2010, i was left with a huge score deficit to catchup in the later selection trials (in Indian conditions)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><b>4</b>. Interestingly the same policy was for Rifle and Pistol shooters too but was amended for them but not for Shot Gunners. So we had a situation; one federation but different selection policies. Again, revealing bias.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><b>5</b>. The whole atmosphere of Vindictiveness, created by the sports administrators did not leave me or some of the other shooters with a positive frame of mind to overcome the odds stacked up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><b>6</b>.The policy laid down some grace marks for Olympic/WSC medalist but decided that 2004 Olympics being in distant past did not warrant grace marks (as if the experience is limited by 4 year life cycle of each Olympics)<br /><br />Its now interesting to hear the officials say that the matter was never brought up to their notice, was it not, really!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Interestingly, I was in Italy in Jun 2010 where the World Cup Shooting (WCS) was scheduled. In a WCS if there are inadequate number of shooters then the vacancies in the shooting squad have to be filled up by a zero shooter (his scores are not officially counted towards the medal prospects for that competition). So, I got the opportunity to shoot as a zero shooter there. However, upon learning of this the Indian federation, immediately issued a verbal diktat to all shooters that no one is to take part as zero shooter, without the permission of the federation. A permission that they would not give. Normally, I would believe that a federation promoting sports and its sportsmen would want its shooters to get as much opportunity as is possible to shoot and demonstrate their caliber. Or was it that, the federation did not want any anyone other then those selected to throw up a brilliant performance. Why should actions of a sporting federation raise questions.<br /><br />I have tried to maintain as positive an attitude as is possible, even today as the news is breaking out on the TV and other Media. I do believe there is a higher good for me despite these troubles. I know the strength of the Indian Shooting Team and hence am looking confidently at all those selected to win at the CWG Delhi. By all accounts, the shooters are only growing stronger. </span></div>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-66522840813997231712010-03-17T23:16:00.000+05:302010-03-17T23:19:15.726+05:30WANTED a fair policy for selection<p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Every professionally run sports federation must have a simple and transparent system of team selection that serves the aim of selecting a winning team.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A good selection policy comforts the athlete by providing clear and justifiable benchmarks. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">You would think such an important policy would be discussed among current top athletes’ coaches and experts on the sport, well not so in some cases, such as the NRAI.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Undue haste to pass flawed policy: <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) formulated a ‘New Selection Policy’ and put in into effect from 13<sup>th</sup> Mar 2010 after only 2 days of public scrutiny. Was this the intent of the policy makers or was it a mistake? </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Most shooters were just too shocked and dumbstruck by the contents of this 16 page legally-worded policy that showed no understanding of the sport of shooting, to even react in the given time frame. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">India has incredible depth in shooting – this policy was formulated without taking into confidence the wide array world-class shooters from rifle, pistol and shotgun. Two Olympic medalists, two World Champions, multi Asian Games Gold medalist, 3 world record holders and yet for the promulgation of a far reaching ‘new selection policy’ the NRAI consults none of the above.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But it was not just the shooters who were taken aback. This new policy was a surprise to many members of the governing body of the NRAI too, as reported in the TOI. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What are the flaws in ‘New Selection Policy?’<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">1] Disrupts training in a critical year: <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For India, 2010 is a very important year because of Commonwealth Games Delhi. Every Indian shooter wants to deliver an outstanding performance in front of a ‘home crowd’. Tragically for shooters, the year has been a chain of fiascos that has now led up to the biggest one of all. It remains to be seen is whether the NRAI is willing to make amends and correct the policy by deliberations on it or will it stand by its flawed policy like a totalitarian regime.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">2] Aggregate scoring system worse than school exams<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The basic premise of the ‘new selection policy’ is to have a starting line (base line) score from whereon the aggregate scores will keep adding on – from the National Championships, trials I and trial II and for some, a different event score could be substituted for the trials. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The policy also does lip service to giving merit points for those winning top level competitions and an Olympic quota place. The aggregate points of each trial will add on through one calendar year against each shooter and finally the one that has higher aggregate gets selected to the team. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sounds quite okay, you might think? Sounds more like a grading system for class eight students. Exam 1 + Exam 2 + an alternate exam substitute for marks. Deduction of marks if you question the system and whoever has the highest marks gets selected. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">3] No level playing field for trials<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For 2010, the base line scores taken by the NRAI are from trials that were held in Feb before the Policy was made. Why? Was it done to accommodate someone? Does this decision not create a condition of prejudice? </p> <p class="MsoNormal">To stay above-board, shouldn’t the policy have been announced first and then a base line score be taken (if at all). To make matters worse, all shooters could not participate in the trial in Feb 2010. So some shooters had scores counted from the Commonwealth Championships which was 10 days apart.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In fact, it is on record that some shooters who had initially agreed to take part in the trials, pulled out hours before the trial to be tested later and they were allowed to do so by the NRAI. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Climatic conditions play a big part in shooting and bad conditions influence the game and thus, scores. Did the weather forecast have anything to do with it? It was cold cloudy and rainy that day. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So is this trial fit to be counted as baseline score? No! If the baseline is flawed, how can the outcome be considered valid? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">4] No recognition for ‘winning form’ closer to big competitions<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Why should this policy require aggregate scores through the year? How can a score shot in Feb 2010 be considered for team selection for an event that’s scheduled in October i.e. the Commonwealth Games?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This aggregate system is like a deficit system (and ironically the policy too calls it a deficit system). For example if a shooter has poor form at the start of the year, and hopes to get into the Indian team by June, he must first shoot a high score to fulfill the deficit score of Feb and still score higher than what others have scored in June.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Simply put, at the selection trials in Patiala scheduled from 18th Mar 2010, some shooters have to shoot just 160 targets out of 150 targets to make it to the Indian team, yes 160 out of 150. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">5] Pruning shooters, or pruning India’s medal winning pool<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This deficit scoring system further states that shooters are required to notch up the aggregate score to prevent being ‘pruned from the core group’ and losing any chance of even being a part of the selection process for the Commonwealth Games New Delhi 2010.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Even shooting a new world record of 150 out of 150 will not count as it does not fulfill the deficit of low form in the beginning of the year it has to be 160 out of 150. Is this a sane policy? Have these people ever played sport to understand that there are good days & bad days, periods of bad form and good form?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And why prune the list of probable from 6 shooters to 5? Countries like China are doubling the strength and depth of top shooters so that they have a world-class and large pool to choose in-form shooters before a competition? </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Why are we axing a pool we have developed, seven months before the Commonwealth Games? Shouldn’t we have the full strength of our current core group available to us till it’s time to announce the Indian team for the Commonwealth Games 2010? As the host country, do we want to create a position of strength or dilute our chances even before the competition?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">6] Discouraging younger talent<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The new policy says, “At any point of time in a year the national pool of 12 shooters will be considered in each category and event for the National Team selection”. Its also mentioned that this pool will be selected from the National Championships. What this implies is that the difference between 12<sup>th</sup> and 13<sup>th</sup> may be in decimals but shooters from 13<sup>th</sup> onwards can pack their guns/rifles and wait for the next year. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Their hopes and desires all crumpled and their motivation down in the dumps.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Meanwhile the top 12 shooters will continue training as they have competitions to look forward to and keep getting better with match practice. So probably the same people will retain the top 12 slots the next year too. The development of the sport of shooting could do with a little more foresight. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">7] Flawed system of taking International scores<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The system of taking international scores is flawed. Its well known in shooting circles that some ranges afford good sighting of targets and are thus high scoring ranges and then there are others that are low scoring ranges. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Competing and coming good in tough conditions should be applauded but instead will be penalized by taking into account the low score registered as the policy has dealt with the matter very mathematically. In some cases the last international score will be counted and thus even a one point margin score over your own team mate will be rewarded by a place in the team despite the high margin of lower score as compared to the same team mate at a just concluded competition of the same level.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">8] Gross under utillisation of foreign coaches<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are paying thousands of dollars to our foreign coaches. They are specialists in leading sportspersons to high performances? Above all they are professionals who work closely with sportspersons, and can make a huge difference in physical and mental conditioning. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Yet the policy states: “role of foreign coaches is restricted to technical training only” Why prescribe such a limited role? Shouldn’t we be taking advantage of their ability to understand the sport and the sportsmen and thus play an important role in team selection. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We don’t go to the best doctor and tell him what to do?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Opportunity wasted by NRAI<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">These are just a few of the drawbacks of the New Selection policy. It pains me to say there are many more but do not find a mention here since I am just driving home the point. The NRAI has wasted an opportunity to create a policy that would attract more people to the sport of shooting and encourage shooters. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Big match temperament cannot be mathematically calculated by the scores shot and added over the year like a school mark sheet but composite in the medals won under good and bad conditions and importantly, current form. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In India, sports federations are private societies. But since they represent India, their actions reflect the collective will of the country. How many sportspersons will suffer before someone recognizes the injustices being done under the garb of autonomy?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Let the sports federations work with sportspersons and not against us. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s not easy for a competing sportsman to talk and if I have spoken, I do hope people of India realize my deep anguish. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I appeal to the Sports Minister of India and the fair minded souls of NRAI to immediately withdraw the flawed ‘new selection policy’ and open it up for deliberations transparently before the sport of shooting is irreversibly damaged.</p>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-9586447062476816822009-08-07T15:10:00.018+05:302009-08-08T11:13:17.152+05:30WADA and the ‘price’ sportspersons pay to compete<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >The Indian cricketers’ stance on WADA compliance has drawn a lot of comment, both positive and negative. I’d like to look at this issue another way: does the Indian cricket team need to comply with a standard WADA-directive? </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Instead, why can’t ICC and BCCI and other notables from the cricket world formulate a dope testing norm that is better suited to the sport and ensure regular testing to keep the sport free of dope-criminals?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><br /><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style="font-family:'';">Why did IOC set up WADA to put an end to doping?</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Before I get into that, let’s take a step back. WADA was established around 1999 to prevent doping in sports. Though WADA is an independent body, it was raised by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). </span><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Performance-enhancing drugs were tarnishing the glory and prestige of the Olympics and more importantly, the use of such drugs is detrimental to the health of sportsmen. </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >The Olympic Games are among the most prestigious brand of global sport, and a mega marketing opportunity [just like the IPL]. The IOC markets various rights related to the event, ‘owns’ athletes while they compete; and all event-related performance and images are the property of the IOC forever. </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >WADA is an important initiative that <u>protects</u> the brand and marketability of the Olympics.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style="font-family:'';">Why have international athletes complied with an invasive whereabouts clause?</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >So now to come back to the contentious whereabouts issue which states: "every sportsperson must declare his/her whereabouts for 1 hour of every day for the next 3 months" and 'if the sportsperson is missing 3 times in a period of 18 months from the declared location, he/she will be banned from competing for a certain period". </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Athletes who compete and hope to compete in the Olympics have signed it. Tennis pro's and FIFA initially objected, but then signed it since it is a pre-requisite for competing in the Olympics. </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style="font-family:'';">What is the ‘price’ every sportsperson must pay to keep sport drug-free? </span></b></span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Most of us (and that includes me) firmly believe that sports must be rid of doping and all efforts must be made to prevent manufacturing, trafficking and finally usage of performance enhancing drugs. Out-of-competition testing is an effective means of ensuring this. </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Some of us, as the numerous public comments show, also feel that giving our location for 1 hour everyday for the next 90 days <u>is a price we willingly pay</u> to help rid sport of this malaise. </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >All Olympic athletes have signed on also because they have no choice and yes, they conscientiously update their locations on the WADA site.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Their passion for sport and pride in representing their country is, in this context, ‘controlled’ by the Olympics committee. This organisation can bar any athlete with adequate reason. [On another note, I hope this post will be received constructively, and not be seen as a ‘borderline infringement’ of any sort! </span><span style=";font-family:Wingdings;font-size:100%;" >J</span><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >]. </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >I must emphasize, I believe WADA serves a great cause. However, that in itself must not give anyone unlimited right over others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >WADA spends millions of dollars on research. So why isn’t it possible to come up with an alternative way for out-of-competition testing?<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >The practical issues around administering out-of-competition testing are also amusing, considering many of India's sportspersons have their roots in villages and often visit them, the addresses given out could be as unidentifiable as taal no 3, or quila no 6, near jhulli walan gali, Gandhi Nagar. Indian villages are not completely mapped or on GPS like the western world and finding such locations is quite impossible without the entire village knowing about outsiders looking very lost.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style="font-family:'';">Can the discussion with BCCI & Indian cricket players help improve the system?</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >We should accept that Indian cricketers and the BCCI don’t ‘need’ brand Olympics to grow [neither did FIFA] and hence they are in a strong position to negotiate.</span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >I don’t think we should put aside the very valid invasion of privacy and security-related issues the Indian cricket players have raised, until the BCCI and WADA can convince the players there’s a fool-proof system that will not let them down.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >The risks arising from a leak are much too real and personal, for a sportsperson to ignore.</span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Let’s look at this issue another way: We all want to rid our country of crime. As conscientious citizens, are we willing to report to the police, for instance, our location for 1 hour (in daylight hours) everyday for the next 90 days? And will anyone not found 3 times at those locations be labeled a suspected criminal?<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >So, should the cricketers comply? Why should we sit on judgment if we are not willing to accept the same principle to rid our country of crime? </span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >The cricket establishment has a unique opportunity to help improve a system that has worldwide compliance and protects athletes who commit years of training to compete at the highest level, from being cheated by dope-criminals.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" style=";font-family:'';font-size:100%;" >Yes there is the issue of cricket being included as an Olympic game: lets not ignore this is also linked to marketing the Games and hence IOC’s need to control the process - besides the absolute need to keep the Games dope-free.</span><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:'';font-size:100%;" roman="" new="" times="" serif="" gb="" >As an Olympic athlete, my humble view is: this is a case of the level of intrusion you are willing to accept to live your passion, to represent your country and for that ‘big opportunity’ to bring your dreams to life!</span></p>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-59234649144828643442009-08-01T16:20:00.012+05:302009-08-01T18:14:33.232+05:30Inspiring Indian Sportspersons With Awards And Recognition<p>The National Sports Awards are meant to be a recognition of the sporting achievements as also an inspiration for the awardees to do better and for others to achieve similar standards. India has mainly 3 such awards:-</p><p>Arjuna Award- to be eligible for the Award, a sportsperson should not only have had good performance consistently for the previous three years at the international level with excellence for the year for which the Award is recommended, but should also have shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.</p><p>Khel Ratna: is given as award for the most spectacular and outstanding performance in the field of sports by an individual sportsperson or a team in a given year</p><p>Special Awards for International medal winners- Cash Awards ranging from Rs. 30,000/- to Rs. 50,00,000/- are given for winning medals in the Olympic, World cup/world Championships, Asian and Commonwealth Games/Championships. </p><p>Though Indian government has certainly moved ahead in the direction of making these awards more transparent in terms of selection process, further corrections/additions in policies will be prudent in making the system better.</p><p>Here are a few things that needs thinking:-</p><p>1. What happens to a World record breaking/equalling (in certain sports it can only be equalled as its already at 100%) in an recognised Sport. It is obviously a very high performance and not just limited to a particular competition. Would this not be what these awards are meant to do, promote world class performance?</p><p>2. Khel Ratna award says "the most spectacular performance"- for making an event/performance spectacular or not spectacular the MEDIA might play a major role. Spectacular is what is spectacular to the people of the country and thus it also matters on how it is presented. Can we define spectacular? Can we place a policy that can look beyond the hype, on just the sheer magnitude of the performance? What must be included to make the performance spectacular-sex, religion, region, economic background, being differently abled, level of competition, etc etc?</p><p>3. The Cash Awards- The Olympic Games are Amateur Sports (no money as prize) but it would be foolish to even contemplate that the sportspersons are anything but the top professionals in their sport. The competition demands such a commitment and given the years of training involved, its a welcome move by the Indian Government to include Cash Awards for certain competitions but (again BUT, but this is all in the hope to improve the system) a few things worth thinking about:-</p><p>(a) Again the WORLD RECORDS are not part of the performance to be rewarded. </p><p>(b) The State Governments (who incidentally have 'Sports' on the State list of Subjects) have different views and policies on the awards. Most States do not find a sporting achievement worth recognizing unless the elections are around the corner. And if they are, then they can easily out award the Centre. Some States having awarded once actually complain if the sportsperson happens to win the event again (once is enough for them). Should a sporting achievement not be a feather in the cap of the State. Should the State not at the least equal the Award to the Central Government (which actually is not responsible for Sports, Constitutionally that is). When the Sports Ministers of India meet tommorow, they might like to consider this issue.</p><p>We, as citizens are increasingly participating in how our country is faring both nationally and internationally. Sports, with its enormous benefits has helped communities, children, people of all hues worldwide, fare better. It has helped nations spread their culture, reflect their might to the rest of the world in a manner thats appreciated. India has enormous talent but who would take to this profession and be the iconic ambassadors of this country to the World unless we Indians push for greater recognition of SPORTS IN INDIA.</p>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-41408058649845269592009-07-26T20:31:00.000+05:302009-07-28T01:59:12.643+05:30Much Ado Abt SPORTS<div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Hey, I hear this all the time, "I am a good swimmer, golfer, shooter etc etc, I want to do better, how should I go about it, I dont have any idea/ there is no help around". The story of our life in India.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I wish there were answers for all of us struggling to make something out of ourselves in sports. Why should academics be the only field where the young can achieve something. Why cannot sports become a part of our lives or for some, why cant it become a lifestyle, a profession. Arts, painting, craftsmanship, acting, singing are all professions that people have opportunities in, building a career in sports is more difficult and with fewer examples around.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I guess it needs a change in attitude towards sports, we are a long way from playing sports for recreation. And that puts us away from having sports clubs etc which we could support and thus encourage talents in our own neighborhoods. Even Inter-school tournaments, I am not sure if they carry with them the required support from the parents/school authorities. But if you have the talent and you want to do well despite the limitations around you; GO TEACH YOUR SELF.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Self teach yourself, yeah.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I know its not Simple as in Simple but then when you have 'fire in the belly' and no one to show you the path, dont let that turn into frustration. Start educating yourself about that subject, its going to take a longer time to accomplish results but the fire will keep you going and at least you are doing what you love. Educate yourself from the books (there are enough on every subject) or from being in the company of those who are achievers in that field or hear their experiences. Start absorbing. Replicate success stories, it works.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This can work for everyone and in any field. Typically I hear of the problem of the lack of coaches in sports. You can make the best of the 'bad' situation by becoming your own coach. Its possible. I know of succesful sportsmen who have done it at some point of time or the other. I have done it in the initial period of my life and won medals. </span></span></div><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Its also important to know how to get help. Understand your situation, find out who can help or who can get help, communicate the problem precisely to get the correct solution. People who can help are generally short on time so be precise in your communication. Internet is a great resource for information. Bottom line- IF YOU REALLY WANT TO DO IT YOU CAN DO IT.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I have also seen plenty of guys take to drinking, smoking. Thats the elevator that goes down. If your friends do it, fine but if they ask you to do it- SAY NO. You don't need the support of a crutch (smoking/drinking) to appear cool, its your attitude(your knowledge, communication skills, your principles/values) that counts.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">BEST WISHES</span></div></div></span></p>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-44715849227047208202009-07-11T21:27:00.000+05:302009-07-11T21:30:09.922+05:30Bangalore TimesCongratulations to the Indian Shooting Team competing in the South Asian Federation (SAF) Shooting Championships at Bangladesh. It’s literally a clean sweep of the Gold Medals. In the Indian Sub Continent, Indians are far too strong a competition for countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. How ever it’s a good competition to taste victory and then to strive to achieve similar victories in the next higher level of competition. Though one need not follow this pattern; for example, my very first International medal came in the form of Gold after 4 years of very hard struggle and that too in the big league competition like the Commonwealth Games Manchester in 2002.<br /><br />To take you to an altogether different topic, I was in Bangalore for a day having been invited by a leading corporate company to be part of their in house corporate training/ competition as a judge. It was great fun and very educative for all of us. Apart from the content, it was very similar to some of the war gaming exercises that we do in the Army. Off course, instead of having enemy locations to capture, they had marketing goals to be achieved. Instead of minefields and obstacles laid out by the enemy they had financial and other market related obstacles to be cleared. And here I was to cross question them on their subjects! I have never been more attentive under closed doors.<br /><br />On numerous occasions I have realized that high performance philosophies that we have applied in the Army, either while training or in active service or mental solutions we have had up our sleeves during high stress levels in competitive sport can all be applied to the corporate world to solve their problems. The more one thinks about it, the more parallels can be found. For example, the biggest issue as of now that the corporate world is facing is that of a financial downturn for the first time in many years. So in layman terms, it’s a difficult time to perform and show results. Ask a top level sportsman, how many times would he have faced such a situation? At the mental level the answers are the same. Once the mind is taken care of, the rest falls into place. Easier said then done. But then when had achieving excellence been easy.chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-86923342739772823552009-07-06T22:57:00.000+05:302009-07-07T00:24:02.202+05:30Lets Communalise India<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Its been a long while since i had the pleasure of talking with you. I was on an extended sabbatical, a gap year (if I may say). To tell you the truth, this break that i had has been...well...very different experience for me. I was like a machine in the last 9 years, observing only what was good for me, cutting off everything that was not helping me move further towards my aim/goal.....simply put, a programmed machine. It surely had its pleasures, m not complaining at all, just talking.</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">The last couple of months alowed me to experience life from a different perspective and the pleasures thereof. In my interaction with a lot of you it was very nice to know that there were a quite a few people following my blog. Well its courtesy all of you that i have started writting again ( I have to stick to a few topics as I dont enjoy the freedom of speech unlike most of you; upon joining the Army we have to surrender this civil liberty).</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">In this blog, let me communalise India.</span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have to admit, sportsmen/sportswomen are an altogether different community. You could belong to the Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Bengali, Punjabi or any other community or you could belong to the sports community (only entitled for sportspersons, not officials). What a pleasure it is to talk to people who have been sportsmen/sportswomen in their life. To hear about their difficulties or the sheer uninterupted pleasure of playing back then without the weight of studies/exams. All the "badmashi" that they did together (this community seems to be having all the fun). Listening to how, while representing India as latest as 1992 Olympic Games at Barcelona, one of the federation was receiving fax all the way from the Olympic Games through a paan shop, needless to say, the federation was housed in a shop too. Some things dont change much. Talking to people, its interesting to hear of their ability or the inability to play now and fresh vows to start again no matter what. Like me, I am sure a vast majority of sportsmen, find themselves amidst sports community (people who have been sportspersons in their lives) at common places be it at airports, parties, parks, hotels lobbies etc. Believe you me, there is no community like this community, there still is time, join this community: it has the power to change your life and the people around you.</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><p align="justify"><br /></p>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-15978351678146581612008-08-28T17:40:00.000+05:302008-08-28T18:43:43.247+05:30chillin out<span style="font-size:180%;">on a different front; I have been chillin out, i love working out so spend high quality time at the gym with weights. And when i am in fitness mode, which incidentally i had been for a good year and half since 2005, i eat healthy and actually eat about 7-8 meals a day ha ha. I had been off weights for a long time due to the exhausting preparation for Olympics, I am happy that i have time now for some indulgence. I now weigh 84 kgs with 13% body fat (I am 6.2 feet), my target is to be 90 kgs with 10% body fat. which means an increase of approx 7 kgs of muscle mass, wow, that might look nice.<br /><br />I have just come back from attending a military function at Pathankot. It was great to be back to the simple fauji life. The soldiers, with whom i had operated in anti terrorist operations in kashmir, dressed in combat uniforms, had made a little paradise of the wilderness. We sat, eat and competed together in various games to re-live the old camaraderie. Sometimes these simple pleasures of life bring us lots of happiness which lasts a much longer time. Incidentally, very close by, in Jammu city, the nation was witnessing a hostage crises where some of my military friends were combating the anti-national elements at the risk of their lives. Everybody has fear but only a few overcome it.<br /><br />I am taking this time off and looking at life from another perspective. I am sure, it will give me some insight as to what i really want in life and start with re-newed energy. To all those who are pursuing a dream; if you believe in yourself and you want it more then anything else in your life, then YOU WILL LIVE YOUR DREAM.</span>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-91948921892574062242008-08-21T11:52:00.000+05:302008-08-21T12:18:00.948+05:30your support; a life line for us<span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong>Hi Friends,</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>I wish to thank all those who have supported me during the preparations and after the Games. I have read all the comments that you have posted. In simple words, you guys are great, very sporting and am proud to have fellow Indians like yourselves. Your support is very important for us, especially the Olympic Sportsmen, as we usually get very little of it.. ha ha. </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Am sure what you say will play an important part in whatever I do ahead. It reminds of the line," why do we fall- So that we can learn to pick up ourselves".</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;">Wish you guys all the best.</span></strong>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-85662328696679604912008-08-21T11:30:00.000+05:302008-08-21T11:42:51.537+05:30The Writting On The Wall<strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">Aptly put by a journalist, I truly feel like an Alchemist turning silver into gold and now hopefully more then 1 gold (with Vijender, our boxer in the semi finals). I have off course been with the shooters and seen the resolve of Abhinav, Gagan (watch out for him) and others but as i see some of the Indian Team members, I see so much of myself before I won the Silver. I Can see the fire burning in their belly. I feel proud as a person who provided the spark to the explosive potential that I have always believed and expressed that all Indians possess.<br /><br />When i won, there was cynicism not only outside but within India on an Indian winning at the Olympic level. Only I know how I overcame the hurdles that were put in front of me at each and every stage and I had nothing to fall back on. Contrary to what people believe, way back in year 2000, I had already accepted an adverse career in the armed forces so as to pursue with my belief that India will win Olympic Medals and I wanted to prove that myself. Now when I see the TV channels, the Magazines and see the press writing so hopefully and positively about the new Indian attitude, I have 2 kinds of feelings, one, that wow, this is my India and two, this is what I always believed when few others did.<br /><br />Prior to Athens, there was not a single corporate backing the Olympic sports and post Athens Olympics 2004 there are Hero Honda, Sahara, Mittal Steel, the Mission Gold through Geet sethi and Prakash Padukone. They all needed a belief and India's Silver at Athens gave it to them. I am sure the involvement of corporates will only increase now. I dream of a fund that allows us to nurture select talent amongst juniors/promising youngsters, a fund that allows us to provide contemporary training facilities to our medal hopes, to have access to best medicinal/nutritional supplementation. We cannot really depend on the government which has other basic and primary issues to fulfill. I dream of Indian corporates ready to pitch in their might into a single fund managed by sportsmen and sports administrators to give hope to the young India, their help will provide mortar to build a new India, a bold India. And the new confident attitude will be visible in all walks of life. At the end its India that will stand tall.<br /><br /><br />I believe this will come true.<br /> </span></strong>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-16961692089514664032008-07-30T14:19:00.000+05:302008-07-30T14:40:17.410+05:30Join The Action<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw44Z-vZ7tKyMAXe4y3ES0V4YR1b74txu7IDBFzCBFjPm5oPeVVurM16R5oiSXN1Zw953cdKHg7Tuu1QMLazQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxMIMXMlI_N5GmOmE1x-4GHWVa2jPEakgNZbMqeDrhBXJEKEBKikx5Lwn-A08mSc8JWSftvTDMiW7u-C47DsA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzxKoSN9v65hJfh6UIfyv9UrTHwHm7sg5TIqw-q0Y_G_Ow0-ESWojbFoiGu4bmPuF6BOX5wFNh_y4w2YjHwXw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-69517775791340320622008-07-28T15:38:00.000+05:302008-07-28T16:03:23.537+05:30Olympic Village<span style="color:#ffffff;">Hi Guys, reached the village yesterday night, late night. The first thing that we did here? Walk into the dinning hall ( i guess the size of 3 football fields put together), mind you we had been at the security check area of the village for 6 hours (unusually long) waiting for India's Delegation Registration Meeting with the organisers of Beijing Olympic Games to be finallised so that we could get into the village as residents.</span><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">Morning was at 7.30 am and we headed off to the shooting range. I had an italian shooter, Daneillo Francesco to give me company and we did a bit of training. </span><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">The targets seem fine, not so hard as last time that we were at Beijing for the test event. They were flying pretty smooth. The humidity is really something here, you are dripping of sweat in a few minutes, got to watch for our hydration. I guess i should not be complaining at all about humidity, being from Delhi, India. Cool, no probs, we'll handle all this... and more. Adios Amigos</span>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-48258243072026940312008-07-20T18:39:00.000+05:302008-07-20T19:08:04.516+05:30Jet Set Go<span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Hi, I have about a week to leave for beijing. We are now doing, if i can say, the last minute nuts and bolts check of the equipment and shooting style. All this is happening in Brescia, Italy. My gun manufacturers, Perazzi, are based in Brescia and so are a couple of shooting ranges where we train. Since I am travelling straight to Beijing, I will miss the fanfare send off to the Indian Olympic Team which i guess would be around the end of Jul 08. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">I am looking forward to the Olympic Games. In the last four years i have been training very hard, its not been physically hard always but it sure has been mentally very tough coping with the training and life becasue of variety of reasons but then difficulty, hurdles, challenges come to face all of us in diffrent forms and to face off with them with a will to overcome them is part of the winning. And it goes for each of us. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">I look forward to being part of the largest sporting meet. I also wish the very best to the entire Indian Olympic contingent.</span>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3215753414274694377.post-39522612265490003722008-07-13T22:39:00.000+05:302008-12-13T16:17:04.262+05:30<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSON8NGbU6fFUUmP81LTwpQ8s2W-LLdScOjx1GyUZ9nGGkkXVt_Vk2sG_Rx04vhMLpsmaGCQ-fM0_4U-qf25EWqSgFu0wGt2-e16brxfY_3URjZsTVvwYrRi7dib8mwes6pDHou4QcerM/s1600-h/_41258916_rathore203.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222810625306036146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSON8NGbU6fFUUmP81LTwpQ8s2W-LLdScOjx1GyUZ9nGGkkXVt_Vk2sG_Rx04vhMLpsmaGCQ-fM0_4U-qf25EWqSgFu0wGt2-e16brxfY_3URjZsTVvwYrRi7dib8mwes6pDHou4QcerM/s320/_41258916_rathore203.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>hi all</div><br /><div>with the olympics just round the corner i guess everyone gets curious.. the players, the training, the jitters everything suddenly becomes super important...</div><br /><div>this blog would be a snapshot of what i am upto:)</div><br /><div>chilly</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>chillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03751985459222139444noreply@blogger.com2