Know CR Kumar, Indian coach, a low profile but potential output

In 1999, Malaysian women team came to India. The Asia Cup was held in the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, where now the Olympic Qualifier is under progress.

Its first match was against the hosts. Indian team led by the diminutive wonder girl, Suraj Lata Devi, pumped in 8 goals without conceding one.

What the difference between 1999 and 2004, where a ‘whipping boy’ team has transformed itself into a potential force?

Coach Chidambaram Rajaratinam Kumar.

Our coach in Delhi managing our girls; bringing them to the finals of the Olympic Qualifier. In a country where only Olympians are considered as coaches, this man comes a whiff of fresh air.

Coach CR Kumar, a famous centre-forward of his times, took over the Malaysians and trained the girls for about two years then, and then went on to complete a four-year contract.

He would have continued but for his employer Railways’ reluctance to extend his more leave.

This is CR Kumar, a man of promise, calm and composed, and rooted to his belief of compact hockey.

Kumar had his schooling in St Anthony School in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu – which also produced Laxman Prabhakaran, who won Asian Games gold in 1998 – and obtained his graduation from Sri Pushpam College in Poondi. He took interest in hockey early. Son of a police officer, he had no difficulty in getting ground or facility to play the game. He played for Tamil Nadu in the Nationals before getting selected for Junior India camps, and then joined Southern Railways.

His career highlight included playing India in the Junior World Cup. Then was part of the team that played a Six-nation Cup in Perak, Malaysia, and Test Series against Malaysia in India, series against Japan and many others.

Playing in the nationals from 1981 to 1994, he took up coaching. In the late 90s, he was the man behind grooming talents like Bimal Lakra, Viren Rasquinha, Gagan Senthil, Prabodh Tirkey, Bipin Fernandez, Arjun Halappa, Jugraj Singh among others.

He took them to many second level tournaments and got them ready for the 2001 Junior World Cup. However, he was not to take them to Hobart due to last minute reversals for which our administrators are known for.

Around the same time, then chief coach Cedric D’Souza took him as his deputy and was part of Indian teams of 2001 and 2002. He managed Indian team at Kuala Lumpur World Cup after his mentor Cedric was removed mid way through the tournament.

He was expected to succeed Cedric as the chief coach of Indian team, but that did not happen. However, the Malaysians grabbed him, and the rest, as they say, is history.

CR Kumar’s services were considered by the Hockey India after two crucial developments in the last two years. First, strong man MK Kaushik left the scene after some unfounded accusations. Secondly, Kaushik’s successor, Sandeep Somesh, proved to be a disaster. Under Somesh Indian team was no where in the Commonwealth Games, World Cup, Asian Games and even Asian Champions Trophy.

So, entered CR Kumar. A visit to Australia, couple of times to Argentina are his preparations for the all important Olympic Qualifier.

The team surely struggled here in Delhi, but Saturday today is different. The team has come out of the sluggish phase it dug into itself.

Its morale is up. What they now need to crack the London path is strategy and stamina to last.

When CR is around it should not be a problem for India.

This man has worked hard, and he deserves a mutational break such as one waiting for today.