My Johor Bahru Reminiscences

On the eve of third edition of the Johor Cup starting today, I cannot but reminisce the first one, where, as usual, am the lone Indian journalists, writing for an agency and for s2h.

It was on the last week of long Australian tour of Indian men and women team during which they played the Lanco Super 9s, and a tri nation, the then national coach Michael Nobbs surprised me when he said he and two of the senior team members, one was certainly Manpreet Singh, will come to Johor Bohru.

This scoop of mine went for a toss, when he and Manpreet, much to the disappointment of coach Mukesh Kumar, did not turn up, so also Manpreet Singh.

Even as they failed to land up, Manager and coach, were still in touch with Hockey India to rope in Manpreet and then to bring Gurjinder Singh. It was pre-WSH days, please bear in mind.

According to Mukesh Kumar, Gurjinder is fit but it was not so to the eyes of powers who matter. Then, much to the dislike, HI rubbed salt on the wounds of Mukesh sending Harpreet Singh, as he was perhaps thought of a good penalty corner converter.

Hapreet, tall and well built, appeared over-enthusiastic, perhaps being the lone senior player in the team, as he was part of goldies of Asian Champions Trophy.

This team lacked character, nor did Mukesh have any command over it. Manager was a useless chap, who locked himself in the room obviously under intoxication all the time.

First the positives. Namdhari jewel Malak Singh won my heart, so also all the Pakistan media – six of them were there at the hospitality of Pakistan Hockey Federation – who have even dubbed him as future Shahbaz Sr.

Pardeep Mo on the left midfield, Rohitdas on the rear, Keshav Dutt under the cage, a Chennai guy at the front, Devinder Walmiki as the pivot, tthe team had some good talents, but what lacked was cohesion, character and charm.

Every umpiring decision was questioned to the irksome level, players heckling the crowd after striking a goal, no shame even after yellow cards…..scenes I hardly seen with colts on international stage.

Mukesh was out of place insofar instilling discipline among his wards, but was quite undiplomatic in scolding them even on dining tables!

No surprise, one Talwinder Singh was suspended for a match after he went charging a host team member.

He was to my surprise was totally unapologetic, even as India fails to win the bronze.

Having extensively reported five Indians’ suspension for field conduct against Pakistan at Busselton in Australia only a fortnight ago, this incident came most distasteful.

Had India kept its nerve cool, it would have easily won the ultimate champions Malaysia in the semis, but was out of place with their irritating appeals and war cries like approach towards the stands.

One unforgettable moment was interaction with burly Josua, in both Australian tour and here in Johor Bahru.

He was the man behind Indian getting so many suspensions at Busselton centre, and was minutely following my reports and often argued. Good times spent.

His anecdotes involving Shahruk Khan at Sydney were absorbing. He was the Australian coach of the Chak De Indian film, and was associated with the full film shoot in Australia.