Vengsarkar, the hockey fan

Sudheendra Tripathi, TNN

MUMBAI: We all know how classy and tormenting former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar could get when batting in the middle-order for India. But on Thursday, when the right-hander arrived at the Bombay Gymkhana to be part of a celebrity penalty shoot-out tournament, his love for hockey came to the fore.

Vengsarkar used to be a huge hockey fan and followed the careers of hockey greats BP Govinda and Ajit Pal Singh closely.

“Before India’s tour to the West Indies in 1976, we had a camp in Chennai (then Madras). And the Indian hockey team were also playing Malaysia in the same city. So, we decided to watch the hockey team play. I clearly remember, that a strong and a knowledgeable hockey crowd had gathered. Ajit Pal Singh, BP Govinda, Aslam Sher Khan and the others played like true champions. India won the match and the entire cricket team was impressed by the performance,” Vengsarkar said.

The former chief selector was distressed by the fact that hockey as a sport has stooped so low. “Administrators and their vested interest have practically finished a beautiful sport. It’s sad but true.”