CWG 2010 Delhi

The CWG are round the corner. Let’s sincerely wish that we conduct competition in all events smoothly and our sportspersons do well. The Olympics, Common Wealth and other Regional Games are a source of entertainment for the affluent countries and misry for countries like ours. What we need at this stage is water for the thirsty, food for the hungry and shelter for the homeless. Sports of course, are inseparable part of all round development of a nation. Popularise sports within the country, continue participating in the above noted games abroad. Remember, it is only the victory in international events that enhances prestige of a country and not the number of times we hold these games. The way India has been moving forward, time will come when such heavy budget games will be a source of recreation for us too.

INDHOCKEY 28 TO 56.
Between 1928 and 1956, India won six straight Olympic golds in hockey, playing 24 matches in that period, winning all 24, scoring a staggering 178 goals and conceding just 7, giving the world magical names like Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh and Leslie Claudius. No other sporting team, not even the various eye-catching collections of Brazilian footballers, has been this dominant. India did win two more hockey golds, in 1964 and 1980, but entered a slow period of decline after that. The recent win at the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament offers cautious promise of a turnaround.(Courtesy Hindu-Chennai)

Comparison - Goal Scoring

Comparison – Goal scorers
Sometimes, there is a gossip in the air that I scored more goals only because I received more passes. It is a misconception. The following comparative statement should set the record straight.
London Olympics 48
31 Jul 48 – Sat - against Austria at Sadbury = 8-0
Jansen-4, Babu-2, Kishan-1 &
(CF Rodrigues-1)-----
04 Aug –Wed – against Argentina at Park Royal = 9-1
Jansen-2, Kishan-1
(CF Balbir-6)------
06 Aug – Fri – against Spain at Chiswick 2-0
Tarlochan-1, Babu-1 &
(CF Nandy-0)------
Semi-final
09 Aug Mon – against Holland at Wembley = 2-1
Babu-1 &
(CF Glacken-1)-----
Final
12 Aug Thu – against Great Britain at Wembley =4-0
Tarlochan-1 in 50th minute, Jansen-1 in 63rd minute &
(CF Balbir-2 in 7th and 15th minutes)-----
Note:
1. India played 5 matches and tried four centre-forwards.
2. Three centre forwards played a match each on 31st Jul, 6th Aug & 9th Aug and scored only 2 of the 12 goals scored by the team in three matches.
3. In the same team, the fourth centre forward played two matches on 4th Aug & 12th Aug and scored 8 of the 13 goals scored by the team in two matches.
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Helsinki Olympics 52
17 Jul 52 – Against Austria = 4-0
Raghbir-1 in 32nd minute, Gentle-1 in 39th minute, Babu-1 in 55th minute &
(CF Balbir-1 in 57th minute)
Semi-final
Against Great Britain= 3-1
(CF Balbir-3 in 1st, 14th & 26th minutes)
Final
Against Holland= 6-1
Babu-1 in 25th minute &
(CF Balbir in 5th, 9th, 33rd, 45th & 65th minutes)
Note:
1. Most goals scored by a player in the Olympic final and the semi-final.
2. Five of six goals in the final and eight of nine goals in the semifinal and the final together are probably two Olympic Records since Helsinki Olympics-1952.

Comparison - Goal scorers

Comparison – Goal scorers

Sometimes, there is a gossip in the air that I scored most goals only because I received more passes than other centre-forwards. The following comparative statement should clear this misconception and set the record straight.

London Olympics 48
-31 Jul 48 – Sat - against Austria at Sadbury = 8-0
Jansen-4, Babu-2, Kishan-1 &
(CF Rodrigues-1)-----
-04 Aug –Wed – against Argentina at Park Royal = 9-1
Jansen-2, Kishan-1
(CF Balbir-6)------
-06 Aug – Fri – against Spain at Chiswick 2-0
Tarlochan-1, Babu-1 &
(CF Nandy-0)------
Semi-final
-09 Aug Mon – against Holland at Wembley = 2-1
Babu-1 &
(CF Glacken-1)-----
Final
-12 Aug Thu – against Great Britain at Wembley =4-0
Tarlochan-1 in 50th minute, Jansen-1 in 63rd minute &
(CF Balbir-2 in 7th and 15th minutes)-----
Note: India played 5 matches and tried four centre-forwards.
1. Three centre forwards played a match each on 31st Jul, 6th Aug & 9th Aug and scored only 2 of the 12 goals scored by the team in three matches.
In the same team, the fourth centre forward played two matches on 4th Aug & 12th Aug and scored 8 of the 13 goals scored by the team in two matches.
Next page
Helsinki Olympics 52
17 Jul 52 – Against Austria = 4-0
Raghbir-1 in 32nd minute, Gentle-1 in 39th minute, Babu-1 in 55th minute &
(CF Balbir-1 in 57th minute)
Semi-final
Against Great Britain= 3-1
(CF Balbir-3 in 1st, 14th & 26th minutes)
Final
Against Holland= 6-1
Babu-1 in 25th minute &
(CF Balbir in 5th, 9th, 33rd, 45th & 65th minutes)
Note: Five of six in final and eight of nine goals in semifinal and final together are probably two Olympic Records since Helsinki Games-1952.

India wins Azlan Shah Hockey Trophy after 13 years. I extend heartiest congratulations to players, captain and officials.