Hockey in the limelight at the Indian Sports Legends function

India’s leading news channel CNN-IBN and their sister channels organized a grand Indian Sports Legends program last Saturday night at the capital city’s extravagant Taj Palace Hotel.

83-year old Leslie Claudius, the four time Olympic medalist, double Olympian RS Bhola were jointly given standing ovation when they received an award on behalf of gold winning Indian Olympic hockey teams.

Claudius, as characteristic as he is known for, enthralled the crowd with frank and forthright opinion. He, on the staged, engaged RS Bhola and made him confess that he missed a sure goal.

“We really played well, but lost to Pakistan at the Rome Olympics final. You beat everyone, but unnecessarily took a reverse flick instead a cool normal hit. You know even the goalkeeper was lying flat at that time”

Bhola agreed and also explained why the best forwardline combination was not followed, and how his advice spurned down”.

Most of the officials were superstitious, and their actions were really ridiculous. They were also biased”, he said.

Leslie for his part went a step further and confided. I argued for many things with Ashwini Kumar, but am always out-voted. They would not listen to me at all”, Leslie said much to the applause of the crowd.

Besides the duo, the 1975 World Cup Hockey team was feted, captain Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, Aslam Sher Khan, Virender Singh, Ashok Diwan, Harcharan Singh were present and received an award each at the hands of Kapil Dev.

It is nice to see only World Cup cricket winning captain Kapil Dev presenting award to only World Cup hockey winners”, beamed Rajdeep Sardesai, the brain behind the show and also Editor in chief, CNN-IBN.

On his part, Ajit Pal, Ashok Kumar, Aslam Sher Khan and Harcharan Singh spoke well, really well.

Aslam Sher Khan said this is the first award he ever received in his hockey life, drawing much applause.

Ajit Pal said that the hockey is certainly popular even now,. “Do you know every where there is a court case nowadays with respect to hockey election. If there is nothing, so much tussle will go on? He queried.

Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, sprinter Milkha Singh, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Shiny Wilson, shooters Gagan Narang and Jaspal Rana, wrestling sensation Akhil Kumar, his band of gurus, were among the legends present in the function.

Other hockey stars present include Zafar Iqbal, Harendra Singh and Viren Rasquinha.

Viren, as the Chief Operating Officer of Olympic Gold Quest, the not-for-profit organization explained the objectives of the organization on the dais.

I had personal memory beyond meeting the hockey greats. It is about about an hour long discussion with Kapil Dev. I never had an occasion to talk to any cricketer, and this meeting certainly enticed me.