Keep mum amidst shame. It would pay in the long run. This is the thumb rule for coaches in KPS Gill’s hockey kingdom: That’s why sacked coaches don’t fume or fret nowadays. A survival instinct that former giants R.S. Gentle, M.P. Ganesh and Balkrishan Singh did not possess but present days coaches mastered. Vasudevan Baskaran proved he was not far behind.
His recall as national coach vindicates success of silence mantra — for succession of course. The neo ethos has got us another recall being staged in the unending saga of ayaram -gayaram coaches in our national game.
Welcome, Padamshri Baskaran to the hockey ring again. For third round, after suffering two ignominious bouts and assorted punches in the past.
It all happened six years ago. At Sydney Olympics, manager K. Jothikumaran took charge of substitutions. Gurbux Singh, a selector masquerade – his role in the downfall our hockey is less only to the combined calamity of Gill and Jothi — stood against resting out-of-form Ramandeep Singh.
‘How can we leave out Captain’, argued Gurbux, whose penchant for captaincy is known for its notoriety. After the Wellington camp in 1968, deserving Prithipal Singh was declared captain for the Mexico Olympics, but Gurbux wanted it for himself. Both were made co-captains, and for the first time India was not in the Olympic finals!
Baskaran’s tolerance, and the great team he wove – India missed the Sydney semifinals by whisker in the Poland match – did not assure his continuity post Sydney. Only blemish in that sojourn for Baskaran has been his strained relationship with Dhanraj Pillay. The senior most was not given Sydney leadership and he walked out of Jammu camp in protest. Baskaran was party to the decision thrust by Gill. Irony it was, as it’s Baskaran who made Pillay captain in the first place in early 1998.
Same Dhanraj was the factor behind Baskaran’s removal earlier in 1998, albeit indirectly. Unfit Dhanraj ought to have opted out of Utretcht World Cup or Baskaran should have had enough guts to ensure that. But nothing of that sort happened, leading to a pathetic show at the world summit. Baskaran paid the price at Gill’s guillotine.
Much against his grains, Baskaran did not open his mouth on both occasions he was shown the doors. The surprising silence from such a tall sporting figure, who can easily walk into Indian Sports Hall of Fame, stunned many. But he had to eat humble pie soon as his explosive Utrecht report found its way to media.
Four years after he hung his shoes, Baskaran’s coaching career commenced. But, on a disappointing note. India lost all the matches at Berlin 4-Nation in 1985, as government would not clear some players of his choice for one reason or other.
But ten years later when Gill invited him as India ‘B’ coach, Baskaran delivered. Titles at Indo-Pan American Friendship and Sultan Azlan Shah Competitions came in quick succession. Baskaran should have succeeded Cedric after the Atlanta Olympics disaster, but came the uncalled for IHF’s year-long moratorium for senior engagements. He was put in charge of colts. India reached the Junior World Cup finals for the first time in 1997. Again, instead of being elevated, Pargat Singh, whose recall Baskaran made it possible in 1996, took over. Ego clash ensued, Baskaran was made manager on compromise. As Pargat fell ill on the eve of Germany’s visit, Baskaran got the hot seat in January 1998, leading to Utrecht fiasco. Baljit Saini, Mukesh Kumar, Rajesh Chauhan, Samir Dad and Harbhajan Singh played their best under Baskaran.
Baskaran enters hockey at such a time the prestige of player turned coaches is at stake. The public perceive them as the Federation’s stooges, cowards, willing to take freeloaders on the orders of IHF masters.
Coaching is a honorary job, maintain the honour Mr. Baskaran. Stand up to the IHF’s might and be counted. Steer clear of them from team selection. If you can’t, probably no one else can. You have nothing to lose but hockey has everything to gain from your approach. You know more hockey than what the farce called Selection Committee collectively knows. Discard that legal stamp. Will you stand up or wilt? Gill & co raped coaches for long and the crime has to stop now. Will you stop that or get ready for another phase of multiple rape?
Baskaran often used to joke – ‘God gave me everything in life. Probably he regrets giving me black skin’. Now the question is not about colour of skin, but having it in the first place. It is upto Baskaran now how he wants to be remembered by the posterity. As a history maker, or yet another submissive legend. Hockey needs a personality to prevail upon players and Federation. Will Baskaran work with a victim’s anger or ready for multiple rapes, is a million dollar question.
Note: for those statistically minded, it’s Baskaran’s sixth recall which means he