INDIA-PAK HOCKEY: HE LOVED MISADVENTURES!

Amazing story of how a single man’s commitment brought high voltage India-Pak  match to the new destination – Editor

By RANJIT DALVI

“Have you committed a misadventure?” This was let’s say, a gentle reprimand or a typical reaction by the Collector of Kolhapur way back in 1986, to Kumar Agalgaonkar who was then the Hon. Secretary of the Kolhapur District Association! The Collector was rather stunned by Kumar’s adventurous act of pledging his one plus two building which housed his shop Maharashtra Radio House at the ground floor and his family residence above. But the hockey buff was totally unperturbed. Hadn’t he always dreamt of contributing to the sport, so close to his heart?

The prevailing situation forced him as Kolhapur was allotted one of the matches at the behest of Olympian Bandu Patil in the India-Pakistan Hockey Test Series, and the never so rich Indian Hockey Federation demanded Rs Three lacs as capitation fees. India had just won the Cricket World Cup in 1983 but hockey was yet a big draw, especially in a medium sized district town like Kolhapur.

This was a huge sum then! So the Collector’s query in a manner typical of an IAS officer did hurt Kumar who was hell bent on going ahead. Wasn’t it a lifetime opportunity for hockey lovers from the nearby districts of Sangli, Satara and Belgaum? With Hockey having a good following, the match would serve to showcase the might of the traditional Asian rivals, who were still deemed world-class, he reasoned. And mind you, both were rigorously preparing for the World Cup at Willesden (UK).

Eventually a packed house at the Shivaji Stadium saw India win the hearts of its followers, by carving out a 2-1 victory. India had the mercurial Mohd Shahid with Merwyn Fernandis, Manepanda Somaya, Joaquim Carvalho, Pargat Singh in their ranks while on the other side were Hasan Sardar, Salim Sherwani, Hanif Khan and goalkeeper Shahid Ali.

However, Kumar’s misadventure did pay rich dividends as gate collections soared and the bottom line: an unbelievable profit of around Rs 1.5 lakhs! He was naturally delighted as the fledgling district unit formed in 1980 had come a long way after volunteering to host an Indo-Russia women’s test match the same year. Kolhapur was on the national hockey map.

Kumar’s associates included his President Datta Solanki and Vice-President Vijay Lad. They toiled for over two months collecting funds from the smallest man in the street to 500 odd small scale industrialists. Everybody contributed his/her might. Narrating the response Kumar says, “They enthusiastically welcomed us, delved deep into their pockets and donated generously!” The Collector sporting a beaming smile commended Kumar and his loyal team.

In between the women’s and men’s international ties, Kumar successfully organised the IHF Junior Men’s National Hockey Championships in 1981with 30 states from as far as Manipur to Tamil Nadu participating. Matches were played on three fields over eleven days as a new era was ushered in Kolhapur which the provided impetus to organise competitions from the district to All-India level.

Inter-District tournaments for seniors and juniors under the Maharashtra Hockey Association in memory of stalwarts like Late Jimmy Nagarwala (IHF administrator) and Late Abel David, a noted sports writer and doyen of women’s hockey were conducted. In 1997 the All-India Ambedkar Hockey Tournament was organised. The Kolhapur league was born and a few more tournaments were also initiated thereafter.

While these adventures bore fruit on one hand, Kumar’s financial misadventures continued! The 1990s was probably the period he suffered financially. Elevated as the Vice President of the state body, he was often deputed for the IHF meetings. Dedicating precious time, often spending from his pocket and unmindful of the consequences, his business plummeted. Sadly the shop his father had helped open had to down shutters. The building pledged earlier had to be sold! He thus blew away his fortune leaving the family to bear the brunt.

Unfazed, he gamely carried the heavy burden of his dreams on his seemingly frail yet strong shoulders. It’s over six decades ago he ventured to dream of hockey while in Vidyapeeth H S, the institution headed by Gangadhar Dixit who hailed from the Sarvodaya movement led by Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Sarvodaya meaning ‘progress of all’ was taken ahead by Jay Prakash Narayan. The school’s motto was Bhakti-Seva (Worship or dedication and service).

That influenced him to join the socialist movement. Kumar had good relations with George Fernandes and Prof Madhu Dandavate who often visited his place. In fact George had taken refuge in Kumar’s house while being on the run during emergency.

After his matriculation Kumar went to Mauni-Vidyapeeth in Bhudargad-Gargoti a small taluka town to pursue a Diploma in Civil and Rural Engineering (DCRE). But he fell ill and had to leave midway. There too he tried a misadventure of walking 45-50 km to Kolhapur on a moonlit night with a dozen class mates. Only one of them, Vijay Devsthali remained with him as they reached by dawn.

At just 21 he started Maharashtra Kreeda Mandal with Vijay, a few school mates and friends mostly his father’s clients’ sons. Incidentally Ramkrishna Hari Agalgaonkar was a reputed lawyer of many a zamindar.

Kumar and his mates used to get some pocket money. Hockey sticks used to hardly cost 4-5 rupees. Shamrao Bhandavle an ex-army man turned physical education teacher would part with some new and old hockey balls. Replacing old and broken sticks was a big problem, but the boys learned the art of repairing. A handle from one stick and a blade from another and they would have a new stick!

Travelling for tournaments to nearby towns like Sangli, Gadag and Belgaum was a regular feature with the budgetary shortfall always being borne by Kumar till date.

Despite the huge setbacks, Kumar hasn’t given up! His biggest dream: an Astroturf pitch for Kolhapur. Vijay Salokhe a hockey player and President of KDHA helped Kumar obtain a plot of 3.5 hectares in 2005 from the municipal body, during his tenure as Chairman of the Standing Committee.

His persistent efforts are yet to get expected dividends. The Major Dhyan Chand Stadium has just an incomplete gallery with a shop line. The main building though has a gymnasium, and a few residential/dressing rooms for trainees and a canteen.

There’s a ray of hope though, as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje a President of India nominee to the Rajya Sabha has procured Rupees 5.5 Crores under the ‘Khelo India’ scheme to help lay one synthetic field. There is place for another, but that’s a distant dream!

However, Kumar yearns to see at least an international match played here once the facilities are ready. A twin field with floodlights is an ideal venue to organise a four-nation event. But that may remain an illusion for Kolhapurkars and Kumar.

Kumar now 82 lost his wife a few months ago owing to prolonged illness. “She stood by me through thick and thin,” he said in a choked voice. He was deeply hurt!

It’s now beyond his means to commit any misadventures! Let’s hope he is relieved of some burden which rests on his shoulders!

(Kumar’s misadventures were recognised by the Govt. of Maharashtra, when he was conferred the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award for his precious contribution to Hockey as an administrator)

AUTHOR:  Ranjit Dalvi is a Sports Writer/ Radio and TV Commentator/ National Umpire: Hockey/Football Referee/ Ex-Convenor Mumbai Hockey Umpires Board/ Ex-Managing Committee member, The Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd.

PHOTO: Amar Bhonsale, freelancer and researcher.