A BLUE-PRINT TO MAKE INDIA A SPORTS GIANT!

Today, our children are unhealthy, have hidden diseases and injuries - which come to the forefront as soon as they enter their middle ages. The quality of life they lead is very very bad. AND IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF MIDDLE CLASS TABOOS - which rule the roost. Every child is expected to become an Engineer, Doctor or etc. etc. The only health sought is financial health - unfortunately, even that is drained by their poor health. THE PLAYGROUND IS FOR FREAKS - normal children are supposed to study and `burn the midnight oil' to get ninety plus percent marks. The golden periods of developing healthy bodies and minds is lost in the pursuit of `money'. SPORTS CULTURE doesn't exist - is not allowed to exist! A nation of coolies - CYBER COOLIES to be precise that doesn't even have the shame to accept the fact that INDIAN SPORTS has a noose around its neck. The parents, the school managements, the sports associations and the players continue to pull at it!

PARENTS are the creatures of a social system - they will accept whatever the environment around them is. Creating the environment - in which sports is held in high esteem isn't difficult. Special privileges are to be provided to the SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS - who doesn't want to wear the HOUSE OR SCHOOL colours. And when the parents see their wards `lighted up faces' - they then are easier to educate! A sports counsellor [OH MY GOD - DON'T START CALLING YOUR P.T. TEACHER THAT!] could be a `player' or a highly motivated sports promoter who could then work with players and their parents - and maybe go a step further by interacting with the academic teachers too! I have donned the role of sports counsellor in many schools and it is exciting to see parents willing to provide permissions and facilities to their children - after having attended my sessions.

SCHOOL MANAGEMENT too have a very hazy idea of how to develop `sports education' in their schools. They think by paying a very nominal salary to a person who has done his diplomas or graduations in physical education their TASK IS OVER! Their myopic time table is the culprit which has histories and chemistries all over the day and a measly one period sneaked around lunch is the SPORTS PERIOD [this too very grudgingly allotted to fulfill the school norms. AND WHEN I LAND UP IN THEIR PLAYGROUNDS demanding the last two periods of EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK for practice - they almost faint! No, Mr. Mahajan, it is not possible! I ask them to try it out for one month - and after one month they start seeing the possibilities - the joy on the faces of the children, more parents coming to the school to ask about `team selection'. A blue-print to make India a sports giant needs school managements to stand on their toes!

SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS must take the maximum blame. The greed of being in `power' is so much that most of the officials are political animals [like many other things in our country] and it is very difficult for others to interact with them - with the result that many ex-players become full time politicians. It is not SPORTS that they are interested in - it is the GAMES that they play! The mockery of hobli level, taluk level, district level, state level and national level is seen to be believed. 99% of these matches are only for `cosmetic purpose' - completion of which is like a piligrimage to holy places. The unholy nexus of referees, officials, PT teachers has us believe that the `winners' in these levels are the best that India can produce. So what, if most of the players are friends or relatives of some politicians. Many tournaments are conducted with the sole purpose of getting some `benefits' and it brings the ugliness of Indian sports to the forth. I have seen too many - and now I don't go to any. So what is the solution!

CREATE YOUR OWN TOURNAMENTS without any bias. Bring forth the real players - create in them the discipline to excel and develop their skills on a life-time basis. Create `love of the game' without expecting jobs in Banks, Railways or other public sector outfits. Whatever small level it may be - take the first step - the students will enjoy these matches. Having seen the `suffering of my players' at the hands of `fixed' referees I refused to accept their methods. I have never been part of their system - I still refuse to - the bonus is that many coaches pick my players to win matches! The funniest thing is - EVEN MY TEN YEAR OLD can tell now when the referee is not being FAIR!

TAKING PIONEERING STEPS IS VERY HAZARDOUS - everyone gave up on me - I survived a five year wilderness `in coaching' - but now that I am back - I AM BACK with a motive. I have A BLUE-PRINT TO MAKE INDIA A SPORTS GIANT and to that end I shall strive till my last breath!

DON'T MEDDLE WITH ME - I CAN STILL WEAVE MAGIC!

Why am I so confident on the basketball court? Who gives me this feeling that I am the lord here. Touched and blessed by thousands of my students - sometimes I weave magic on the court - spectators stop breathing, the opponents just hang up their hands by their sides. IT HAPPENED TODAY AGAIN!

Some senior players were playing when I realized they were playing TWO on THREE. I volunteered to square up the number THREE on THREE. The game went well, the opposition too played very well. Then something happened - I got a steal that went out of play while touching the opposition player. He argued he hadn't touched - WE KNEW HE WAS LYING. I let it go and settled down for the game to continue.

But I do not why I did what I did. I took a three pointer which was good. And the madness began. I gave the check ball and shot another three pointer. I started to realize I was being selfish. But my mind refused my suggestions - I gave another check ball and shot another three pointer. THREE IN A ROW - stupendous. But by then my mind refused to obey me - IT KEPT TELLING - don't be selfish - pass the ball.
But it refused and in went the FOURTH three pointer. Followed by the fifth three pointer. Opposition just died away.

It was just another day. But as I washed up and sat in front of my PC - the words came out DON'T MEDDLE WITH ME - I CAN STILL WEAVE MAGIC.

FUTURE OF INDIAN SPORTS PERSONS!

Some 15-20 years back, as I took my students for morning sports - I came across a few basketball players who had played for the state at junior level. They had `chosen' sports over academics and as they grew up - they felt that they had been short changed. They weren't able to get into the state team at senior level for `various reasons' and they didn't have a job that could support them.

I was moved by their plight. I approached couple of schools suggesting that they employ them as part time basketball coaches. My persuasive skills and sincerity in purpose helped many of these young players get jobs - which eased their economic pressures to some extent. There were small teething problems which I took care of. My own son went on to coach three schools at the same time and had a fat purse even as he was doing his graduation. IT WAS A WIN-WIN SITUATION!

Today, some of them have shifted to other jobs - while some have continued to prosper as basketball coaches. It was a delight to be able to break the `strangle hold' of qualified and established coaches who never looked beyond their nose and often sat in ivory towers. I had to pay a price for this - I willingly did. A.B.L.E. Academy for Basketball learning and Education - became a bench-mark for many schools. ABLE coaches were respected for their quality and `child friendly' attitudes.

That I was able to help these young basketball players at a most critical phase in their life - I still enjoy the after-glow of their success. They were my sons of basketball - I MISS ALL OF THEM! A.B.L.E. CUP - the marathon basketball tournament was conducted by them in an exemplary way - never to be repeated again. The best talent of UNDER-13 WAS AT DISPLAY - only merit nothing else mattered. That is another story!

As I build S.A.B.A.L - I am thrilled at the opportunity to SERVE THE CAUSE OF BASKETBALL for my country. I have more resources, more stronger resolve and best wishes and blessings of my friends here in India and abroad - especially great friends who are following my `actions' WITH DEEP INTEREST!

I TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY OF BUILDING A GOLDEN FUTURE OF THE S.A.B.A.L players - so help me Veer Hanuman!