Bangkok: Titbits here and there Part I
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Another tournament, another new place, so one more tit bits — here and there, a leisurely work where you don’t have any clue what to write till you start. You get freedom to say whatever you want to, with no deadline daring at you, with direction from none. So, here it goes…..
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Distance between places here in Bangkok is mind boggling. Swarnaboomi International Airport to team hotel, Rama Gardens Bangkok Hotel, is very long, could be well over 50 km. It cuts your pocket deeply. This hotel is located en route and nearby to Meuong domestic airport, which is in the another corner of the city. I went straight to the media hotel, though I didn’t have a room booked there.
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As I reached the Hotel, first person I met was Indian team manager Dr. Mrs. Sudarshan Pathak, who was sitting in the lobby. She was waiting for the Indian team to return from their first practice match, it was against Japan. Honestly speaking, until I saw here I never knew she is the lady for the job. Hockey India nowadays does not part this information in their regular press release, may be same persons are going repeatedly, any way who cares.
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Pleasant surprise the Asia Cup organizers this time thought of having a media officer unlike in Kuantan (Men’s Asia Cup) where, to that extent I know, there was officially none. S. Thyagarajan of The Hindu is the Media Officer here, I am sure I am seeing him in this role for the first time.
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In the basement of the hotel, a small secretariat is there. Thailand Hockey Association’s new secretary General Miss Petsuda welcomes you there. After collecting schedule, which was slightly changed at that point of time, I returned to pavilion, met Mr. T, our Media Officer.
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Shortly, the Japan team arrives after practice. Veteran Keiko Miura stands taller in the team. With lot of difficulty the grand old coach of Japan could tell me the practice match score. Much later, Indian team returned, I met coach MK Kaushik. I meet him after a long time despite living in the same city, he was as usual cheerful and entertaining.
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As I was getting down the lift, I encountered two Indians — Neeta Dumre, former Indian goalkeeper and umpire Anupama. Neeta is one of the Technical Officials here. In the early 90s, I profiled Neeta in the Lokmat Times, which she still recollects. Anupama is going great with whistle; Bangalore has produced another gem of an umpire.
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Internet connection in this hotel is very costly, 100 Bahts per log in. I just sent one mail, closed the internet by habit. It costed me heavily again. When I wanted to open again within five minutes, it did not connect. I came to know the 100 bucks I paid was for one log in, not for one hour. Ok, learnt a new lesson, did not dare to spend again, rushed to Udee Hostel where my booking was. Cheap it may be, it is totally Wifi-ed. When internet opens at room, you always feel at home. So I was.
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