Goalkeeper who chased goals with grit

Aby Jose

The on-field life of a goalkeeper is a truly excruciating one the countless hours of vigil under the bar, an eye for all possible angles from where the opponent could breach his defence, rubber-like body movements to counter the unexpected, and above all, the mental toughness to soak in pressure-cooker moments. Yet, at the end of the day, fingers would be pointed at the goalkeeper for that lone mistake, probably a tough save to make, and all the good work would be brushed aside.

For former India hockey custodian Ashish Ballal, the 1998 Asian Games final in Bangkok threw up one such career-defining litmus test. The Bangalorean effected two brilliant saves in the tie-breaker, as the captain led the team from the `back’ to a memorable gold, the first at the Asiad podium after 32 long years. And, the burly keeper deservingly became a national hero overnight.

Twelve years on, fans still cherish the Bangkok heroics of Ballal, and the 41-year-old remains one of the most popular sporting figures in the country. Not one to wilt under pressure on the field, the senior commercial manager with Air India has always looked challenges firm in the eye.

“Life has been kind to me, there has been a feel-good mood throughout. Life continues to a be a learning phase as I learn from my son, wife, parents, or the people I meet on a daily basis. There were always accusations whenever the team did badly, but I am happy that I contributed something for the team and country,” said the Arjuna and Ekalavya awardee.

After leaving the international hockey circuit in 1998, Ballal went on to represent his employer as a player for six more years in the domestic ambit, started an academy for young learners in between, and coached a Bangalore side to the Premier Hockey League title in its last edition three years ago. He continues to coach a completely private-owned side in the state Super Division league.

FAMILY LOVES TO TRAVEL

More importantly, Ballal is a happy husband and a loving father, blessed with a family which loves to take long holidays with the travel-crazy head. Ballal acknowledges that family has been a source of great influence for him, right from his budding days as a hockey player. “My family background and parents, particularly my father’s quality of being straightforward and independent, helped me to be a determined person and turn adversities into opportunities,” said Ballal, whose parents stay with him.

Ballal picked up early hockey lessons too from the family — all his three elder brothers were players, incidentally goalkeepers. “I became a goalkeeper because the kit was lying there at home. But the love of sports was not confined to hockey. We were staying in Cambridge Layout then, and I still have fond memories of my childhood days where I played football, cricket, volleyball and other games with my friends at the Lourdes ground. Football was by far the dominant sport. The competitive nature of the games had a big impact on me as far as the sporting spirit and match-preparedness were concerned,” recalled Ballal, with a glint in his eyes.

Ballal feels sorry for his two sons __ Vansh, 6, and Yash, 3, who can’t dream of such a childhood now. “Where in Bangalore can you find grounds for them? They love sports and I would love them to be in any field. But like my father, I wouldn’t force them to do this or that,” averred Ballal.

Ballal’s better half, Sahana, admits how passionate the children are about sports. “The younger one is picking up and the older one is into tennis and chess,” said Sahana.

Hailing from the Bunt community, Ballal followed its traditional endogamous practice and found his life-mate in Sahana, who too was brought up in Bangalore. And the Mangalore-based community, which claims a Kshatriya descent, had has its influence on Ballal.

“Bunts are a goal-seeking group and always determined to follow their dreams. Their fighting spirit is also a special characteristic. But I love to take my identity beyond my community and city. I take pride in being an Indian and my vision is global,” stated Ballal.

ADMINISTRATION CHAOTIC

The goalkeeper, who featured in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, 1990 Lahore World Cup and two Asiads, would love to pass on his experience gathered while travelling across the globe towards the administration of the game. Fighting for the rights of the players during his playing days and being constantly in touch with the Ashish Ballal Hockey Academy trainees, Ballal knows a thing or two about hockey management, but is saddened by the chaotic situation at the administration level right now.

“The administration is heavily monopolized and players don’t have a smooth way into any sports body. The heavy loss suffered by a reputed player like Pargat Singh in the HI polls provides an apt example. The integrity or status of a player is not considered at all, and the rules are so rigid that those at the helm remain there for a long time,” noted Ballal.

“I am extremely saddened that our national sport is in the news for all the wrong reasons now. The National Championship is conducted once in four years and that sums up the sorry tale. We need mature administrators, who put country before self,” pointed out Ballal.

On the field, headgear had masked Ballal’s emotions all the time, but while describing the state of the game in the country, the sense of anger and unhappiness is evident on his face. From a person like Ballal, who eats and thinks hockey, such a reaction is quite logical.

Favourite film: Three Idiots

Favourite dress: Jeans and collared T-shirt

Favourite food: Kori rotti and any other Mangalorean food prepared by either mother or wife

Favourite hobbies: Sports-related activities, including golf, snooker and pool

Favourite TV programme: Watching news bulletins and news-related shows (those late night programmes do bother wife Sahana)

Favourite hangouts: Various clubs in Bangalore, including KGA, KSCA and Koramangala Club