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SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA, BANGALORE JUNE 24, 2012
TIMES SPORT
‘India should win 5 medals at Olympics’ OGQ Founder Acknowledges The Progress Indian Sport Has Made, Says His Organisation Is A Catalyst TNN
Bangalore: Nine-time World champion and billiards legend Geet Sethi, who was in town for the G Raman Nair handicap billiards tournament here, spoke to TOI about India’s chances at the London Olympics and his brainchild, the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), one that identifies and funds the best and deserving medal prospects. Excerpts:
From the time when Olympics qualification used to be celebrated to the time when we are talking about winning medals, Indian sports has LONDON taken a giant stride... It’s a wonderful shift. From mere qualification to whether we will reach a final to winning medals, it’s a great progress. There is a strong correlation between the amount of money spent on sports, media coverage on sports and the number of medals we get back from the Asian Games. The sports ministry has also loosened its purse strings over the last decade and the results are to be seen. Of course, there are bureaucratic inefficiencies but that’s where organizations like OGQ and Mittal Trust come in. We are a good catalyst. For example, a thing that would take months to get cleared would be done by OGQ in a matter of days, sometimes within 24 hours.
What do you think will be our medal haul at the Olympics? We should come back with five medals and there is a technical reasoning behind it. If
TOI
you see our graph of our performances over the last four editions, we won one bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games, in Sydney 2000 (Karnam) Malleswari won a bronze, (Rajyavardhan Singh) Rathore clinched silver at Athens in 2004 and in Beijing (2008) we won one gold and two bronze. We are strong in shooting and I’m confident we should return with two medals from that discipline. We have a strong contingent in boxing. Mary Kom is a genuine hope. Shiva Thapa is a wonderful prospect. We have Manoj Kumar and Vijender too. We should win one or two medals from boxing. Saina CALLING (Nehwal), tennis and archers too stand a chance.
Sen and PV Sindhu. For someone just 10, Lakshya is an exceptional talent while Sindhu – at 16 – is the reigning national champion. London Olympics is pretty much over in terms of preparation and the next focus would be Rio de Janeiro. By 2016, we would like to have at least 50-70 athletes and by 2020 we would want to have 100. The primary task over the next 18 months would be to sign up athletes for 2016.
Athletes you handle are all big names, multiple champions, world No. 1s. How difficult is it for OGQ to handle them?
Saina had to endure a poor run for 7-8 months before bouncing back with two wins in a row…
Badminton is a physically DEDICATED TEAM: Geet Sethi (right) with Prakash Padukone (extreme left), Viren Rasquinha demanding game. Every (second from left) and champion discus thrower Vikas Gowda sportsperson goes through tough times and when things go bad it has a snowball You are a nine-time world champion and have to talk to all the 14 athletes who have qualeffect. Similarly, when things go well it has seen a lot of ups and down in your career. ified before they leave for the Olympics. a snowball effect too and therefore I’m hap- Have you ever had pep talks with the OGQ py she has returned to winning ways. In athletes? Fourteen of the 33 OGQ athletes have qualfact, even when she going through a bad We had organised a motivational session ified for the Olympics, are you happy with phase I kept saying she will come back be- in Mumbai where Prakash (Padukone) and the progress? fore the Olympics. She’s a strong girl and I invited hockey legend MM Somaya and We are pleased because we started just beshe’ll fight it out. asked him to get his Olympic gold medal. fore the 2008 Games. We signed on Gagan The athletes touched it and felt how great Narang just before Beijing and since then You rate Thapa highly. Why? it would feel to be wearing one of their we’ve got 33 athletes on board. We are a He’s just 18 and the best part about him is own. We told them they need to be zoned committed lot and know results will folhis mental make-up. He’s a kid who has in now. I advised them to read Gopichand’s low. We hope the team will be able to come not lost and has kept winning. He is very biography where he says he actually be- back with something. unorthodox and therefore people cannot came a monk and lived like a recluse to get read his style. The novelty factor is going back to the top after suffering a knee in- Have you started planning for 2016? to be his strength. jury. I’ve made an agenda where I’m going We have signed on two shuttlers Lakshya
We have got a full-time CEO in Viren (Rasquinha) and his job is two-fold. He liaises with the federations and is constantly in touch with the athletes, meets them and finds out what their mental make-up is and figures out what do they need. The moment an athlete needs something, he/ she just have to make a call to Viren and it is delivered. Our decision making is quick; if we don’t get a response within 24 hours it is treated as a yes.
The idea was mine and it came to me after the 1998 Asian Games – my maiden appearance at a multi-discipline event. It grew further when I went to Sydney Olympics two years later as a guest. I saw deficiencies and areas where our athletes needed support. I criticized the federations involved but realized that criticism does not change things and even if it does, it is an extremely slow process. So, I was determined to do something myself and approached Prakash (Padukone) with the idea, who instantly agreed to be a part of it. That’s how it all began.
17-Year-Old Pinky Karmakar To Carry Olympic Torch In Nottinghamshire
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: International Inspiration leader Pinky Karmakar trains children during her Sports 4 Development session in Barbaruah, Dibrugarh district in Assam
Bangalore: While most girls her age are busy figuring out the latest fashion fads and gushing over their first crushes, Pinky Karmakar (in pic) is ushering a change in Barbaruah village of Dibrugarh district, Assam. Pinky runs a daily sports programme at her school, advocates to her elders at village meetings on social issues such as child marriage, alcoholism and adult literacy and conducts evening classes for the women of her tea-garden community. And mind you, she’s just 17. Inspired by her dedication, the London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG) has selected Pinky to carry the Olympic Torch in Nottinghamshire
on June 28. Pinky is part of the International Inspiration Programme – London 2012’s sports legacy project which is run in partnership with UK Sport, UNICEF and the British Council. The programme involves nearly 12 million children in 20 countries through quality physical education and sports. One torchbearer from each of the 20 countries will be for the Relay next week. “I’m excited to represent India at the relay. Such privileges are bestowed on individuals who are exceptionally talented in their field and I am honoured that I have been picked to represent my country,” Pinky told STOI from Barbaruah.
Meghana, Sharan are on target Karnataka shooters Meghana Sajjanar and Sharan Gyanchand Susheel were on target at the International Meeting of Shooting Hopes Tournament in Czech Republic and the 18th Junior International Shooting Tournament in Suhl, Germany, held recently. Meghana won the bronze medal in the women’s 10m Air Rifle team event with a score of 1174 and clinched silver in the same category in Germany, notching up 1188 points. Sharan, meanwhile, eclipsed a 15-year national record (119) set by Manavjit Singh Sandhu in the trap shooting event with a score of 120/125 in the junior category.
Kamal is champ: Kamal Chawla ousted Sourav Kothari 6-4 to clinch the ASCA International Snooker Championship title in Chennai on Saturday. In the final, Chawla scored a 82-46, 100-9, 65(41)-64(49), 9-90(52), 95(36,59)16, 97(50,47)-4, 3-70(70), 2764(51), 17-53, 68-54(50) win.
What prompted youi to start the OGQ?
INDIAN TORCHBEARER OF CHANGE TNN
SPORTS DIGEST
Traversing in the southeastern state ridden by thunderstorms and heavy rains can be unthinkable for some, but for Pinky, it’s just another day at work. The tenth standard student, whose parents work as a tea-plucker and a painter in the community tea estate, never misses a ‘Sports 4 Development’ session with her primary school kids. After her classes, she dons the role of a community coach and speaks to parents about the importance of fitness in the academic and social development of their children. Later in the evening, 40-odd women, including her mother, shun their baskets for pencils and notebooks and sit around her at
the foothills of the tea garden where Pinky teaches them the alphabet. This daily ritual has made Pinky a role model for several other girls in her village. “It’s a great feeling to see that the work you’re doing is causing an impact. I hope more and more people get inspired and work together to bring about a change,” said Pinky, who leaves for London early Sunday morning. Pinky hopes her London sojourn will help her mobilize the authorities in her district to restart the night school in her tea garden which shut down more than a decade ago. Whether the plan materializes or not, Pinky knows that with her determination and never-say-die spirit, the job is already half done.
Kapur tied sixth: Shiv Kapur carded three-under 68 in the second round that put him in tied sixth place at the halfway stage of the BMW International in Cologne, Germany. Kapur, with a total of eight-under 134, is now three behind leader Joel Sjoholm of Sweden, whose rounds of 67 and 66 gave him a total of 11-under at the top. Two other Indians, Jeev Milkha Singh (72-72) and SSP Chowrasia (7569) missed the cut as they finished tied 71st for two rounds. Rahil Gangjee (tied 56th, makes cut). Himmat Rai (73-73); 1 -Chiragh Kumar (71-81). Both fail to make cut.
India breeze past Lebanon: India opened their campaign in the AFC Under-22 Football Championship on a rousing note, drubbing Lebanon 5-2 in Muscat on Saturday. Striker Mandeep Singh, who lost his grandfather three days back, paid the perfect tribute by opening the scoring in the 16th minute. India 5 (Mandeep Singh 16, Alwyn George 39, 55, Jeje Lalpekhlua 71, 90) bt Lebanon 2 (Omar Kurdi 48, Abdul Fattah 69). REGD. NO. CPMG/KA/BG-GPO-31/2003-05, RNI NO. 50523/91. Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., by R J Prakashan at S&B Towers, 40/1 M.G. Road, Bangalore - 560 001 (Phones: Office: EPABX - 080-42200000, Editorial: 080- 42200209 / 42200211, Fax : 080-42200100, Editorial Fax: 42200202) and printed by him at No.9/10/11-A, 4th Main, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560 099 (Ph : 080-42200500) and at Fourth Estate Ltd., No. 14, Phase 1,Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore - 560 058 (Phone: 080 - 40877888). Regd office: Dr. D.N. Road, Mumbai - 400 001. Editor (Bangalore Market): Vaman Vassudev Kamat - responsible for selection of news under PRB Act. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. No. 25 Vol. 21
Sahana books London Oly berth
I ’ll
High Jumper Eclipses Bobby’s National Record With 1.92m TOI
Biju Babu Cyriac
TNN
Hyderabad: After battling her nerves to clear 1.88m on her third and last attempt, high jumper Sahana Kumari soared over the bar set at 1.92m on her first try to join the Indian squad for the London Olympics on the opening day of the 52nd National Inter-State athletics here on Saturday. The effort not only booked her the London ticket but also got Sahana the national record and meet record. The
ATHLETICS previous national mark was 1.91m set by Bobby Aloysius set in Chennai in 2002. After missing the B mark (1.92) at the Asian GP series in May, when she got stuck at 1.89m, Sahana reaped the rewards of her hard work and determination as she cleared the qualification height with some more to spare at the GMC Balayogi stadium. It was a pity that Sahana’s effort came in front of an empty stadium after the start of women’s high jump got delayed by almost two hours. In the end, she did her Ukranian coach Nikitin Evgen proud by her superb leap. “India is sleeping when Sahana is jumping,” Evgen told reporters after her feat,
ATP outlaws Madrid blue clay
SOARING TO A NEW HIGH: Sahana Kumari
referring to the late start. “I got a bit tense when the start was delayed but I’m happy to qualify. It was a sevenyear wait for me to qualify for the Olympics. I should thank my coach because after a long time we have got an excellent coach,” the 31-year-old Railways employee said. Married to sprinter BG Nagaraj, Sahana has a seven-year-old daughter Pavana.
Fastest man disappears The fastest man of the meet Dharambir immediately ran into controversy when he disappeared after beating the big names in the 100m final.
The Haryana athlete clocked 10.51 seconds to push Md Abdul Qureshi of AP (10.59s) and Krishan Kumar of Maharashtra (10.60s). Apparently, Dharambir, who was not in the camp in Bangalore, didn’t figure in NADA’s list of athletes to be randomly tested. NADA project officer BJ Verma, who headed a team of 10 officials, admitted that in all the events there would only be random testing. But Verma couldn’t confirm whether Dharambir was tested. There was drama in the women’s 100m final too with Federation Cup winner Man-
(Pun, 15.90s), 2. Saurabh (UP, 15.79m), 3. Rajasekar (TN, 15.69m). Discus throw: 1. Dharam Raj Yadav (MP, 51.62m), 2. Susheel Kumar (UP, 50.61m), 3. Binoy CG (Ker, 49.39m) Women: 100m: 1. Satti Geeta (AP, 12.00s), 2. Anchu MM (Ker, 12.18), 3. Ruma Sarkar (Ben, 12.37). 5,000m: 1. Sahanara Khatun (Ben, 17:58.56s), 2. Monika Athre (Mah, 18:02.78), 3. Archana Pal (UP, 18:09.51). High hump: 1. Sahana Kumari (Kar, 1.92m), 2. Mallika Mondal (Ben, 1.79), 3. Siji NK (Ker, 1.76m). Pole vault: 1. VS Sureka (TN, 3.60m), 2. Khyati SV (Kar, 3.50m), 3. Remya R (Ker, 3.40). Javelin throw: 1. Anu Rani (UP, 53.95m), 2. Suman Devi (UP, 53.61m), 3. Ru-
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pinder Kaur (Pun, 47.01m).
Gopi stars for five-star Postal TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Bangalore: A second-half surge from Postal, led by a hat-trick from Gopi, helped them rout Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) 5-1 in their Super Division league match at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Saturday. A big advantage to favourites Postal was a display of shoddy defending from BEL, which worsened after the break, leading to their eventual defeat. Gopi’s ball control and Sharath’s overpowering runs down the flanks created havoc among the BEL ranks and played a key role in all the goals. BEL’s dismal defending touched the epoch when Postal notched their second goal. Poor ball management between custodian Hariharan and defender Yesu Raja saw them collide dangerously on the edge of the box and the loose ball was calmly slotted into the empty goal by Gopi in the 20th minute. BEL struck their solitary goal off a superb 15-yard strike
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Results: Men: 100m: 1. Dharambir (Har, 10.51s), 2. Md Abdul Qureshi (AP, 10.59), 3. Krishan Kumar (Mah, 10.60). 5,000m: 1. Indrajeet Patel (UP, 14:21.44s), 2. Man Singh (Del, 14:24.95s), 3. Nitender Singh (Utr, 14:25.36) Triple jump: 1. Arpinder Singh
Syed Asif
The controversial blue clay used by the Madrid Masters was banned by the ATP on Saturday, a move which will head off a potential boycott by top players of the crucial French Open warm-up event. The surface, which was introduced at this year's tournament, was widely condemned by Rafael Nadal who insisted he would not return to the event in 2013 if the blue clay remained. “I have decided that blue clay courts will not be allowed next year,” said ATP executive chairman and president Brad Drewett. “Regardless of colour, we must first ensure that courts are safe and fair for players.” AGENCIES
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isha jumping the gun. The restart saw seasoned campaigner Satti Geeta winning the first gold for the hosts clocking 12 seconds. Rising Kerala athlete Anchu MM took the silver in 12.18 seconds followed by Ruma Sarkar of Bengal in 12.37s. National record holder VS Surekha made a triumphant return after a gap of two years winning the women’s pole vault title clearing 3.60m. For the Tamil Nadu athlete it was her seventh inter-state title. Karnataka’s Kyati SV (3.50) and Kerala’s Ramya R (3.40m) settled for the silver and bronze respectively.
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ON A ROLL: Gopi of Postal (left) scores past goalkeeper Hariharan of BEL on Saturday
from Mohan in the 44th minute. Results: Postal: 5 (Gopi 6, 20, 73, Arun Pondey 76, Sharath 80) bt BEL: 1 (Mohan 44). ‘A’ Division: Bangalore Mars: 3 (U Babu 16, Sarath 19, 64) bt Dharamaraja Union: 1 (Gilliet 69). Today’s matches: ‘A’ Division: AGORC vs RBI (2pm). Super Division: KGF Sports Academy vs KSP (4pm).
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