A Common Fan’s Sports Diary

Commonfan recently got a chance to talk about Indian Basketball with renowned American coach, JD Walsh. Walsh has conducted more than 75 clinics in the country over the last three years. Here the excerpts of the discussion.

ACF: What are the good things about basketball in India?
JD Walsh: The best thing about basketball in India is the people who play the game. The basketball community in India has great passion and energy. I am constantly amazed by how routine it is that coaches and players traveled train for over 24 hours to come to my training sessions.

ACF: We know that there are lots of bad things but what according to you are the three most detrimental ones?
JD Walsh: A lack of infrastructure most importantly. Basketball globally is an indoor game, but they play it on outdoor cement courts in India. Also a much smaller percentage of the population is interested in basketball as compared to other major Indian sports such as cricket and field hockey. There is very little corporate interest in the game due to which there is no money to spend.

ACF: What about the natural ability of Indian players?
JD Walsh: The level now is quite low on a world standard. But basketball is not just about natural ability. There are Indians who are athletic and with a billion plus folks, there is enough size to grow a team. They just need better coaching and more incentive.

The Indian basketball talent will improve when they have more incentive. This could happen if a professional league comes or if colleges start giving sports scholarships. Then you will see more kids playing and there will be larger talent pool.

In addition, if the national team starts to perform and the games are shown on TV, kids will watch and aspire to emulate them. They will start working harder at an early age and again the overall ability level will go up.

ACF: Traditionally, Indians do well in sports where skill plays an equal or more important role than athleticism and fitness and physical conditioning. In a sport like cricket, quite often they can get away with natural talent alone but basketball calls for a high level of physical prowess. So isn’t our proven lack of athleticism and stamina a huge barrier to success in the sport.
JD Walsh: I disagree with the lack of athletic ability, and I strongly believe that physical conditioning can be developed with proper training.

Indians are no different than any other cultural groups that I know and if the others can play basketball at a good level, then so can the Indians. I strongly believe that they can do that.

ACF: Ok but American players in general have great athleticism. The Europeans are skill full ball handlers and natural shooters. The Orientals have great quickness and speed. What weapon does an Indian basketball player have? In tennis, Indians are known for their touch play and our hockey players are great dribblers.

JD Walsh: All of these groups which you mentioned just have a more developed sports culture than India. If the India govt decides to invest to improve the level of athletics and sports, I believe India can conquer. But there is no question that for basketball to take a step forward the training needs to improve.

ACF: Is there enough talent and passion for the sport in India to atleast become a regional force?
JD Walsh: I think it will take some time. Basketball in a lot of Asia is a business. In India it is still just a fun game, which in some ways might be a better thing, and I think it may stay that way for awhile. The only X-factor being if the NBA does decide to build a league.

ACF: How good is the level of coaching?
JD Walsh: I have seen some good some bad. From a strategy point, from watching the recent national championships, there needs to be a lot of improvement. Many of the coaches know the fundamental drills to teach the skills, which is a crucial thing. All are passionate and want to improve. This is a callenge and why I (with George Mason Universtiy and Craig Eshrick, former Georgetown coach) have applied for a US Department of state grant which would allow us to do just that. We should find out if we win mid-July.

ACF: Basketball has gone through a revolutionary change in China. How do we compare with the Chinese?
JD Walsh: I spent 5 yars going back and forth to China . In basketball China is far ahead of India. Although it’s tough to compare the two – China is a communist country where sports schools are set up in each region. They are blessed with a long basketball history and tradition, of competing internationally and having a professional league. I don’t have FIBA statistics but I have noticed a lot more people play basketball in China and the game is marketed there much more. They are playing in every park.

ACF: What could increase the popularity of the sport in India? A rise in the TV coverage of premiership football has made it hugely popular in India. Could an increase in the almost insignificant level of NBA coverage do the same for basketball in India?
JD Walsh: The exposure to the NBA is good to popularize the game. It’s great. But before that people need to understand and learn to love the game of basketball. They need to learn how to play it. It’s not just about putting the ball through the hoop. Indians will have to familiarize themselves with the rules and basic tactics of the game. Only then will they start to appreciate the NBA games.

ACF: Is there the possibility of the Yao Ming effect happening in India
JD Walsh: It can if I (or anyone else) can find and develop the next Yao. But I don’t think he’s born yet.

ACF: Could someone atleast make it to the NBA as a bench warmer?
JD Walsh: An NBA team could just grab someone as they did with a Japanese player a few years back for marketing purposes, but according to most national team insiders – and what I saw at the national championships, I am not sure if that’s going to happen anytime soon.

ACF: OK forget Yao. Can, we atleast produce someone who can make it to the NCAA
JD Walsh: That would be a start. It’s actually my goal to help some Indian athletes make it to the NCAA. I think I can do this in a farily short time span.

I think eventually, one Indian player will definitely emerge who will inspire Indian basketball. I never doubt the indomitable Indian spirit and that’s what makes me a believer.

ACF: The US Collegiate system has helped a lot of Indian golfers and tennis players. Basketball players could enjoy the same benefits. Have you seen someone who wouldn’t look out of place in the NCAA?
JD Walsh: I have seen a few guys with NCAA division 3 level talent. The problem is Division 3 does not offer athletic scholarships. I do know Jugan from Chennai TNBA had played at Division 2 Chico State.

ACF: The NBA is pipe dream now. But couldn’t one of the American Universities take a chance with an Indian player – Someone who is raw but has potential. Recently a couple of Indians won a baseball reality show and showed enough potential to be offered a minor league contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates. They happen to be coming along nicely. If that can happen in baseball, then why not in basketball, which is far more popular?
JD Walsh: Oh that’s great news. I really think the NCAA thing can happen.

ACF: But how is that going to happen. As in how will US colleges come to know of Indian players? Is something happening on that front? I don’t think they scout in India.
JD Walsh: I am planning to open a training academy to help foster Indian talent and then use my relationship with American coaches to give this talent the exposure. It’s a long way to go but it should be doable.

ACF: What brings you to India so often? Why are you so excited about India?
JD Walsh: I fell in love with India on my first trip. I think it is the most amazing and interesting civilizations on the planet. Politically, socially and cuturally it really wakens me up, I think I have an Indian sould (laughing) . I was one of the early western pioneers in China basketball and I came to India originally to see how the country was in terms of basketball. I found that India is no China but the challenge to make it happen in India drives me, and now I feel as if it is my second home.

ACF: That’s really wonderful. I am sure basketball fans in India will really appreciate all that you are doing to put our country on the global basketball map. We sincerely and quite selfishly wish you the very best and hope all your dreams for Indian basketball come true.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         JD Walsh: Thanks. I just hope more people start to share my dream.

About JD Walsh – John David Walsh is world famous basketball coach and the founder the JD Basketball coaching program. JD Basketball has been conducting basketball camps and clinics for the better of children and organizations worldwide. They are on a mission to develop basketball infrastructure and use the sport as tool for the social upliftment of children. JD’s current mission is to grow the game in India. Find out more about the coach and the JD Basketball program on www.jdbasketball.com or read his blog on http://indiabasketball.wordpress.com/

Finally a man to end the despair?

Recently, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary-General Randhir Singh resigned from the ad-hoc committee set up to run Indian hockey after the IHF was disbanded in April. He had been complaining for some time that decisions were not being taken jointly but arbitrarily by one or two influential persons in the committee. This complaint has also been expressed by other members and the national selectors. In fact things have been so bad that the convener, Aslam Sher Khan, had also tendered his resignation a couple of months back.

Although, Indian Hockey has been run in an ad-hoc manner for as long as I can remember, it is quite shocking that the ad-hoc committee continues to govern over hockey matters in this country, almost 8 months after it was set up as a stop gap arrangement!!! Things are falling apart and members are pulling in different directions. Suddenly, the euphoria over the sacking of K.P.S Gill seems a distant memory. I wouldn’t be surprised if the ex-cop is chuckling to himself thinking of the mess that has followed his dictatorial reign. At least there used to be consensus decision making during his time.

In the middle of all this, another politician has thrown his hat in the ring for the IHF president elections, whenever they are going to happen. Ex Member of Parliament Gufram Afzal sounds rather confident of his chances and has confirmed that he would relinquish the president ship of the Bhopal Hockey Association after getting elected to the IHF post. The funny thing is that Mr.Afzal is not even a member of the Bhopal body and is taking his first baby steps towards getting involved with hockey administration. Isn’t that music to every hockey fan’s ears?

On the playing field, our senior side started the Argentina tour on a bright note, winning the first two games, and almost brought some cheer to the few diligent followers of Indian hockey. But soon they were tormenting us, losing the next two games rather tamely.

Anyways, enough of the bad news – Now to the serendipity part.

The ad-hoc committee have just met and interviewed Spaniard Jose Brasa for the vacant post of the Indian men’s hockey coach. They were impressed with the homework the Spaniard had done, backing his observations of Indian hockey with technical data with medical inputs. He showed a fine understanding of India and its culture and had a comprehensively detailed plan to put Indian hockey back on the rails. Brasa comes with an impressive resume and has coached the Spanish women’s side to gold in the 1992 Olympics. Even Randhir Singh, who wasn’t involved in interviewing the Spaniard, conceded that Brasa was world class coach and perfect for the job.

And this isn’t the best part.

The best part is that Brasa has refused to take up the post, irrespective of whatever obscene amount of money the IHF can offer, unless he is assured of full technological support. Very clearly he isn’t a mercenary who is only interested in the lure of the lucre. So, unless, the IHF bosses plan to look at someone else, they will have to do something which has never been done in the history of the game in India – and the lack of which has ensured that we have continued to fall behind the rest of the world. Time and time again, Indian as well as foreign coaches have rued the lack of technology being used to prepare the Indian national side. That the IHF has been completely enamoured with Brasa and no other alternative coaching names are available, leaves the ad-hoc committee with almost no choice. They will have to relent and god willing (I am very superstitious about this), in spite of all the chaos that has followed India’s failure to qualify for Beijing; we will soon have a world class hockey coach with full technological support. If that isn’t discovering happiness in the most unlikely of places (read Indian Hockey), then I don’t know what is.

Coaches and commentators say this all the time. No one actually proves it. After all it’s just a figure of speech, right.

Not anymore

A coach in the US put his reputation where his mouth was by actually getting a child to make a point to his players. And how well that worked out for him.

Moral of the story – Sometimes, it really is a ‘Childs Play’

Shouldn’t more players be expecting the same from their coaches – esp. the ones who use the ‘Child’s play’ phrase at the drop of a hat?

And what about cricket fans who have had to bear with the loud boasts of the cricketing prowess of someone’s grandmother.

As a United fan, one of my favourite mental exercises is speculating, who the next United manager will be. I don’t want Fergie to step down or anything. On the contrary I have all the respect and admiration in the world for him – for all that he has done for the Club. It’s just that he is already 67 and someday soon he will have to go.

The speculation also stems from the reality that I have never seen a change of guard at Old Trafford in my football-watching life. United sides have always been such an embodiment of Sir Alex’s own personality and without him the club would probably be completely different from the one I dearly love. Therefore, the fact that something which I have never witnessed in my life is about happen and that the change will have far-reaching implications forces me to think about it very frequently.

How will life be without him

I and many others, I am sure, have often assumed that the next guy will be someone who has been associated with United as well as Fergie in the past. How can an outsider ever understand what it means and takes to be a Red Devil? After all, United are one of those rare big clubs which have maintained their old world spirit and identity in spite of all the corporatization of sport. And why not attempt some kind of continuity by bringing in someone who’s well indoctrinated in the ‘Ferguson way’

I want a Red Devil to take over

That the person should also have excellent managerial credentials is quite obviously an unconditional pre-requisite

There has been no shortage of suitable candidates – at least ones who have seemed suitable.

The list and the conjecturing started with ‘Captain Marvel’ – Bryan Robson – one of United’s greatest players as well as a legendary captain. He made a great start to his managerial life with Middlesbrough and I remember, once, how in spite of Boro beating United 3-2 in , I hadn’t felt bad – I had thought that the future United manager was coming along well. Sadly, save for some great Cup runs with Boro and later a relegation survival with West Brom, Robson has been a failure as a manager. And he’s had enough opportunities at various clubs to eliminate any elements of bad-luck. He clearly isn’t up to it.

The next really big hope was Roy Keane – another commanding mid-field general in the mould of Robson. His successes with Sunderland and his clear-talking and honest ways seemed like a fairy-tale. Just that he lacked the eye for talent and tactical nous so important for a manager. He has exited Sunderland with his head held high but his managerial pedigree in tatters. I expect him to give it another shot. But it will take a lot of success over a considerable period of time to exorcise the ghosts of his first stint and be considered again.

Another United legend and former captain in the fray is Steve Bruce. He’s had decent success with various clubs. But the problem is that he’s had too many clubs – he’s on his sixth one in ten years of managerial life – the exact antithesis of Fergie and United. Also in spite of such a long career he is still stuck with the smaller clubs – hasn’t even moved up a notch to the second rung of the premiership. It is more likely that he will end up becoming the next Harry Redknapp and not the next Fergie.

A candidate with a less glorified United connection but better managerial record is Celtic’s Gordan Strachan. A Red Devil from 1984-89, he has managed at a top British club for more than three years now. And remember, Sir Alex also came from a successful Scottish club. But then again, times are different now. How big is Scotland’s biggest club in today’s world – possibly smaller than even the likes of Man City and Tottenham. Also his association with Fergie was long ago and I doubt if he’s a true United disciple. And he is too much of a strict disciplinarian and there are doubts about his ability to handle big name players. Will rule him out as well.

Next in consideration is Mark Hughes – another crowd favourite at Old Trafford. As a manager he got the Welsh national side to overachieve and then had a solid stint with Blackburn. He’s bought smartly in the transfer market and has handled some massive egos pretty well. His appointment as Man City boss was another sign of his growing reputation. But the Man City job with a massive war-chest to boost could be the reason why he will probably never end up as United manager. He will either use the funds well and go onto achieve greater glory with City – in which case there will be no reason to leave for United if the opportunity came , or he will be a failure – in which case his stock as manager will fall and he won’t be considered at Old Trafford. That he manages United’s bitter rivals will be just a secondary point. Mark Hughes had all the right credentials and before his appointment as City manager he was probably way out in front in this race. Sadly he has discontinued running it.

Hughes’ successor in the Blackburn job, Paul Ince is another contender. He’s had a miserable stint in the premiership after success in the lower leagues. He still has an outside chance if he can revive Blackburn and have solid run for 4-5 years. Anything else and his chances are zilch.

There is another guy with a United connections who had a shot once upon a time but he is completely out of it now.

Steve McLaren never played for United but was an assistant to Sir Alex in the treble winning side of 1999. But we all know what happened when he became manager of England and now his stock has fallen so low that he coaches a nondescript Dutch side. I would kill myself if he ever became United manager.

That sadly is the end of the list. Amongst the currently active lot, I would rate Gary Neville as the best manager material. But he’s still playing. And it will take a long time for him to establish his managerial credentials. I don’t think Sir Alex can wait that long.

That leaves us with the hard truth that a Red Devil will not be replacing Sir Alex Ferguson whenever he decides to retire.

So much for continuity and finding someone who knows the ways of United.

By the way I just remembered about Joe Paterno. He’s 82 years old and has been coaching the football team at Penn State University for the last 42 years – and quite successfully too – he won the conference championships this year. Fergie’s just 67, right. So he could be in the job for another 15 years. Now, that will give me enough time to draw up another list of managerial hopefuls from the Red Devils community.

At United we never give up.

Maradona can inspire Argentina again

Diego Maradona is going to be the next coach of the Argentinean national side, and personally, I am mighty kicked about it

Can anything match the sight of a portly Maradona pacing the sidelines, shouting expletives at the officials and rival players, and jumping animatedly at the slightest sign of excitement?

You bet

But jokes aside it’s a bold move on the part of Argentinean Football Association and is a risk that is definitely worth taking.

The national side has been through a really rough patch the last 7-8 years and was going nowhere – in spite of having the most hugely talented generation of players. It’s been painful to watch such a gifted bunch mesmerize us one day and then fall flat the next day

A host of great coaching names have come and gone, each laid low by depressing results. While Bielsa and Pekerman were at the helm of disappointing World Cup campaigns, Alfio Basile couldn’t even last the qualification campaign. The failure of these illustrious names also makes it plain obvious that this team needs more than just a coach.

This team lacks a leader on the pitch. Riquelme can orchestrate the attacks but he is hardly a natural leader. The manager needs to fill-in for that lacuna, and who better than Maradona to galvanize the troops with his powerful personality – after all he continues to remain the biggest influence in Argentinean football.

The doubters will question his coaching credentials, with both his previous stints having ended rather unceremoniously. But there is a huge gulf between coaching Racing Club and managing the national side – and it is the enormity of the task at hand and the prestige attached to it that will bring out the best of Diego – a la 1986. Maradona loves his country and its football heritage dearly and will do anything to restore it to its rightful place. And then there is always Carlos Bilardo to take care of the coaching stratagem. They have created magic previously and could well do an encore.

There are also fears about his cocaine addiction – will he turn up for training in an inebriated state and make a fool of himself during international matches?

I don’t think that will happen and the reason is simple – Maradona loves the game of football too much and is a different person once he is actively involved in it. He was an addict almost his entire playing life but football kept him going. The dependence on the drug and his subsequent deterioration also coincided with inactivity on the football front. Now that big time football is back in his life, Maradona will have fewer reasons and less time to snort cocaine.

Argentina could have gone ahead and appointed another excellent ‘coach’. There is no shortage of those in Argentinean football. But they needed the ‘hand of god’. And there is only man in the entire country that has got that.

This article was originally publised on www.soccerlens.com

Guus Hiddink has done it again. I don’t have words to describe his magical feats at Euro 2008 – have simply run out of clichés. So I’ll make my life easy and do a simple analogy.

Guus Hiddink is the new and improved Bora Milutinovic

First a little something about Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic

Long before Guus Hiddink gained a reputation as the coach with the magic touch; there was Bora Milutinovic. The Serbian had the uncanny and almost ungodly ability to get the football team of any nation to play out of their skin and achieve the seemingly impossible. Succeeding with one foreign team is difficult enough – there are issues about understanding the culture, the football mindset and sometimes even the language. But rather then succumb to it; Bora Milutinovic seemed to thrive on the challenge.

Savour this – He got Mexico to the quarters of the 1986 Football World Cup;Costa Rica to the second round in 1990, the US to the second round of the 1994 World Cup;Nigeria to the second round of the 1998 World Cup and finally China to the World Cup of 2002. He has a flawless resume when it comes to taking the most ordinary of football nations to the biggest football event in the World and then getting them to do well in the main tournament as well. Teams like Mexico and Nigeria at least had a modicum of football pedigree. The likes of Costa Rica and the US were supposed to be lambs to the slaughter but Bora got them to roar like a lion

In his prime, Bora was the closest thing to a ‘Miracle Worker’ – a nickname bestowed upon him by Alan Rothenberg, the president of the US Soccer Federation. Rothenberg had turned to Bora when the US faced the certain ignominy of becoming the first host nation to fail to qualify for the second round of the World Cup. The miracle worker blew his magic whistle (to use a coaching term) and saved them the blushes.

Those who know Guus Hiddink well would now be smiling to themselves in the knowledge of having figured out the rest of the article. But for the benefit of those who haven’t, here’s why Guus is an improvement on even the great Bora.

Because taking Holland into the semis of the 1998 World Cup beats taking Mexico into the quarters in 1986

Because taking hosts South Korea into the Semis in 2002 was more sensational than the achievements of hosts USA in 1994

Because taking Australia into the second round of the 2006 World Cup, where they almost knocked eventual champions Italy out of the tournament is on par with the feats of Nigeria in 1998.

Because Hiddink’s magical journey into the semis of Euro 2008 with the Russians eclipses the Costa Rica’s dream run in the 1990 World Cup.

And for those who are still not convinced here’s the clincher – Bora was a poor club coach failing with Udinese in Italy and with the Metrostars in the US. Hiddink on the other hand won the European Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 1988 and went on another magical run with the same club in the UEFA Champions League in 2004-05 making the semis.

Various people have tried to honour Guus Hiddink by bestowing impressive nicknames upon him – notable being Tsar Hiddink, Aussie Guus and Guus Geluk ( meaning lucky Guus) . But I can think of only one which gives the Dutchman and his achievements the right scale and perspective. He is the Miracle Worker 2.0 – a new and far improved version of the original ‘Miracle Worker’

Somebody seems to have knocked some sense into Roger Federer’s head. He is finally getting himself a coach. And not just any coach. He’s a getting a specialist clay-court coach – one Mr Jose Higueras – who has guided Michael Chang and Jim Courier to the French Open title in the past. Very smart choice!

We have been chiding Roger to get himself a coach for some time and now that he has gone ahead and got one, we have every reason to be happy about it. We want Fedex to beat Sampras’ grand slam record and also dethrone Nadal as the French Open Champion. Hiring Higueras will give him a great shot at both.

Fedex needs to learn from the guy on the right