Commonwealth Games Review: 2002

Commonwealth Games Review: 2002
India’s day at Manchester.

‘India out of the Commonwealth Games semifinal’. ‘India not in the medal race’.

These are the headlines midway through the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

How, then, the Indian ladies went on to win the Gold five days later, and with that win laid seed for a plot which we all know in the name of Chake De! India.

It is here Indians in general have to agree change of rules, procedures are common for everybody, and any body who is alert can reap benefit.

What happened in 2002 was, strange and did not repeat. With one draw, one win and a defeat, Indian girls finished third in their pool. That’s why the agency copies got those mundane headlines.

The rule actually was, the third team in one pool will play against the second finsher of the other group, the winner will get to play the semifinal. This was to increase the number of matches, keep the suspense alive etc.

Otherwise England and Scotland would have reached the semis following the pool toppers New Zealand and Australia.

India therefore had a chance to meet South Africa which came second in the other pool. India won this match, thanks to great midfield work and immaculate finish of the forwards.

India’s best striker Jothi Sunita Kullu came out with the golden goal after both sides tied 3-3 in the regulation time.

Now, it got to play the semis against New Zealand the other pool topper. India really came out strongly, struck twice against a solitary goal by the Kiwis. This 2-1 victory not only ensured a medal, but also the possibility of winning the title, which seemed closed long back with those early headlines.

England, then doing extraordinarily superb under the Australian coach Tricia Herberle, did India a huge favour.

England overcame stiff challenge posed by the David Bell’s Aussies on the same scoreline as that of the other semis.

Now on 3rd August, eight years ago, the great day dawned for the Indian girls.

They played best of their match to match the brilliance of England, and ended the regulation time sharing four goals equally.

In the extra time, a great midfield hit by maestro Sita Gussain was diverted by inside right Manjinder Kaur in side the striking circle. Ever alert Pritam Siwach dived in her inimitable style to deflect and in the process could force a penalty corner. Suman Bala took the hit after Sita stopped dead it on the circle line, English goalie blocked it, deflected it but through a stick of English defender it got entangled into the body of the goalie. There was hawkish Mamta Kharab, who extracted it to post the goal even as the hooter sound was heard.

Indian girls started celebrating.

But the umpire, after whistling for the goal, reverted her decision. The goal just being awarded was cancelled, according to her he goal went inside after the hooter.

India lodged a protest which was upheld, it took half an hour, the girls had to sit on the turf waiting for the decision.

It came in their favour, the players coolly collected the gold. From fifth position in the previous edition to number one was a great development.

Mamta has become golden girl of Indian sport. Her career transformed thereafter, she is now Deputy Superintendent of Police, with an Arjuna to boost.

The glomour she got was so hyped the real mastermind of the victory like Kullu, Sita Gussain, goalie Tingonleima Chanu were clouded once and for all.

For India, CWG Manchester made up more than the absence of our men there.

It is a sad story whenever the West or Australia hosts mega hockey events the number participants got reduced.

At Manchester only eight teams, instead of 12 in the previous edition at KL, participated. Pakistan deservedly went, while Indian men had to contend being at home.

But once you think of Manchester, what comes to mind is the golden goal won, moments its delayed, a stroke disallowed even as Kullu was about to negotiate it, and the heavy rains amidst which the second half was held, and many more.

For the complete information on 2002 edition, please visit CWG Flashback button where eight pages of Hockey Year Book 2002 is given in pdf format.