A tale of two Champions

It's too easy to blame other people in football

                                                                          -  Steven Gerrard

The beautiful game saw a beautiful exhibition of skills and sportsmanship in the past couple of months. Football powerhouses from Europe and South America clashed to claim to be the best in their respective continents. New talents emerged and old names faded away in history. In the US, a familiar story unfolded with Chile snatching Copa America once again from Argentina’s grasp. In France, history was scripted when Portugal emerged as the unlikely champion to lift the Euro 2106. The two tournaments were highlighted by two champions of the game showcasing their skills. In the end, one wept while the other leapt in joy.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Credit: SkySports)

It has been a fairytale year for CR7 winning the Champions League and becoming European champions, two of the most coveted titles in the world. Despite a niggling calf injury, Ronaldo has been able to lead from the front. The only major disappointment for him this year was not being able to win the La Liga. However, on a personal note he excelled with 35 goals from 35 appearances. His contribution to the Catalan side in its Champions League campaign was profound having notched up 16 goals in 12 appearances. There is no doubt in this champion’s ability to win matches or for that matter any tournament. However, soccer is a game of 11 players and it is their coordinated efforts that bear fruit and win championships. Ronaldo has been ably supported by the likes of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos in Real Madrid. Similarly the Portuguese star found considerable support in Portugal’s campaign in Euro 2016 from Qaresma, Nani and Renato Sanchez. As a matter of fact Portugal won the finals of Euro 2016 without Ronaldo. Ronaldo was lifted off the ground on a stretcher in the first half without having any impact on the proceedings. Despite the major setback la Seleção held on to clinch the title. It will go down as one of the greatest wins in the annals of Potuguese footballing history. Pior to the tournament everyone held the belief that Portugal was a one man team and concluded that they stood no chance at all without Ronaldo. The Portuguese football team proved their most ardent critics wrong when they downed an efficient French team to become European Champions. Ronaldo has been fortunate to have had such company.

Lionel Messi (Credit: SkySports)

Football is a team game and no matter how good you are it is still a game of eleven players. Chile proved this point when they beat a much fancied Argentinian side to successfully defend their title in Centanario Copa America.  In contrast to Ronaldo, Leo Messi has been unfortunate. Not because he doesn’t have high quality teammates but because his highly talented teammates have failed to click as a team. The Argentinian side has failed to deliver when it has mattered the most. Messi, too, has to take a fair share of this blame. He hasn’t been able to dish out dazzling performances that we are accustomed to see in La Liga, on the main center stage. Argentina’s performance in 2014 World Cup wasn’t outstanding notwithstanding the fact that they made it to the finals. They played defensively throughout the tournament and lacked the potency displayed by Germany despite having Messi, Aguero and Higuain in their ranks. The three individuals are prolific goal scorers for their respective clubs. But when it comes to delivering for their national side their big shoes become too big to fill for themselves.

Hasty Decision

Messi announced his retirement from National duties soon after losing the finals of Copa America. But why? Just because of the sorry state of affairs in the country’s national association? Has his retirement done any good to a side that looks up to him to deliver? Most feel sorry for him but you do not run away from a situation if you are a fighter. You stand tall and fight. The association may have done him wrong but does the nation have to pay for it? There are millions of kids and youngsters that look up to Messi. Wouldn’t they feel let down? With great power comes great responsibility. A captain does not abandon his ship or for that matter his crew in times of distress. That’s when they need him the most, to guide and motivate them.

Be a Team Player

Messi should take heart from footballing minnows like Iceland. A country with a population of just 330,00 surprised everyone when they beat England. They may not have big names in their ranks but they had a big heart and copious team spirit. Argentina’s team and Messi should take a leaf out of their notebook. If Messi does not return to international football it will forever remain a part of his legacy. A legacy marred by losses at the big stage of football. At various stages in their career Ronaldo and Messi have blamed either their officials or their teammates for non-performance. It’s time for the two to pull up their socks and realize that they are not the team but a part of the team. 

The Black Superman

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life – Muhammad Ali”

One step at a time, one punch at a time and one round at a time, that’s how Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali ruled the professional boxing ring. Born in ‘White America’, Ali became a hero of the underdogs and a hope for the African Americans. Self-proclaimed as ‘The Greatest’, few dared to contest his claim. And those who did lay at the gladiator’s feet. The man who floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee breathed his last after losing his final bout with Parkinson recently.

The legendary boxer was born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr in Louisville, Kentucky, US on 17^th January, 1942. There have been many African origin athletes who have made their mark at the international stage but all pale in comparison with Ali. In 1960, he won his only Olympic Gold medal in the light heavyweight category by defeating three-time European Champion Zbigniew Pietrzykowski of Poland. Thereafter, he took up professional boxing and went on to upset the favorite Sonny Liston to claim his first World Heavyweight Boxing title in 1964. Later that year, the newly crowned champ decided to embrace Islam and adopted the name Muhammad Ali. Many Americans were livid with his decision and criticized him openly. Ali dropped his so-called ‘slave name’ to free himself from an oppressive regime. 

Actions have consequences

Much to his dismay, the US authorities stripped Ali of his Heavyweight title when the champ refused to be inducted into US Armed Forces in 1967. The US was locked in a bitter battle with the Vietnam forces at that time. This was followed by a charge of draft dodging for which he was sentenced to five years imprisonment along with a fine of $10,000. He had to surrender his passport too. Spirit broken, Ali decided to hang up his gloves in 1970.

The King returns

“I am America. I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me – black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own. Get used to me”

Ali suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Joe Frazier in 1971. This was the only win Frazier managed against Ali in a series of three fights between themselves. The setback did not deter Ali. It made him much stronger. In 1974, he regained the coveted title by knocking out a previously unbeaten George Foreman in the eighth round. Sensing an opportunity, Frazier challenged Ali for his Heavyweight title in 1975. Dubbed as the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ by the man himself, Ali won the bout when Frazier’s chief second, Eddie Futch, conceded the fight in the 15^th round after seeing that Frazier’s eye had shut down completely. Frazier lost, but he won Ali’s admiration and respect. This was amply exhibited when an ailing Ali made it a point to attend Frazier’s funeral in 2011 to pay his final respect. A year later, the champ decided to retire only to reverse his decision once again.

The final rumble

In Feb, 1978 Leon Spinks defeated Ali to claim the World title. A resurgent Ali, made a strong comeback 7 months later to beat the hapless Spinks and regain the Title for the third time. In doing so, Ali became the first three-time World Heavyweight Champion. This was followed by a third retirement announcement which was reversed later. In 1980, he was diagnosed with brain damage but Ali kept fighting. However, his fighting prowess kept waning. His last match ended in a 10-round loss to Trevor Berbick in December, 1981.

Ali, the crusader

After being diagnosed with Parkinson in 1984, Ali decided to take the fight to the neurodegenerative disorder. He started an awareness campaign raising millions of dollars in the process for those afflicted with Parkinson. At the height of the US-Iraq conflict, Ali negotiated a successful release of 15 US citizens taken hostage by Saddam Hussein. In 1998, Ali was appointed the UN Messenger of Peace. Ali’s achievements finally gained American recognition when the then US President George W. Bush conferred on him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.

Fight to the finish

“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them, a desire, a dream, a vision.” 

The sharp-tongued boxer had the desire, dream and a vision to be ‘the greatest there has been, the greatest there is and the greatest there will ever be.’ He achieved his dream. Muhammad Ali will not be remembered just a fighter but also as a civil rights activist, philanthropist and above all a person who inspired people to believe in the impossible. Even in his death Ali continues to inspire millions around the world to fight for their rights, to bea champion in their own right.

Let the party begin - II

Six, Six, Six, Six….. and just like that the T20 WC was over much to the dismay of the Poms. Brathwaite did as he was instructed by his senior partner at the non-strikers end. In a typical Carribean style Brathwaite went swinging for the hills and succeeded. The biennial event saw some star-studded teams lose their sheen. The group of death consisting of India, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan didn’t make it to the finals. Afghanistan impressed the most. The South Africans were the most disappointing of the lot. Let’s take a power review of how the teams performed.

The Afghan warriors

Afghanistan put up an inspiring performance and showed their potential by beating the out-of-sorts Pakitanis. A spirited performance against the South Africans set many tongues wagging. Mohammad Shahzad was the standout batsmen for the new entrants. He was particularly severe against the Springboks. Led by Inzamam and Prabhakar as batting and bowling coaches respectively, Afghanistan have a bright future ahead if they build on their recent performance.

Down and under

The boys from Down Under continued to underperform in the shortest format of the game. Shane Watson put up an excellent all-round performance in his farewell tournament. His talent and experience will be missed sorely by the Roos. For the Aussies, Warner failed to fire but Maxwell made up for that with some sweet power hitting. Faulkner apart from his performance against Pakistan barely looked threatening and so did the rest of the bowling pack. Even Khwaja failed to live up to his much-hyped reputation.

Pussy cats

Fresh from their performances against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup that preceded the World T20, the Bangladeshis failed to generate any interest or competition. They were mauled by every team in their group. True, they lost a couple of bowlers to suspect bowling action but overall a very disappointing performance and nothing to write about.

Pom-tastic performance

For someone who has followed the English over the last 12 months it wouldn’t be surprising that they made it to the finals. They have played some excellent cricket in all formats of the game only thing that took the cup away from them was Brathwaite. Joe Root showed why he is regarded so highly. Roy’s knock against South Africa was stupendous. The English bowlers bowled well as a unit, particularly Stokes and Jordan.

Cricketing blues

The Men in Blue were outsmarted by some good bowling in their opening match and were outwitted in their final match by an uninspiring bowling performance. Even from the batting perspective, apart from Kohli and Dhoni nobody stepped up to the occasion. Nehra continued from where he left off in Asia Cup. Kohli once again showed why he is regarded as the best run-chaser in the world. He combined class with power and played some intelligent calculative cricket. His knock against West Indies may have gone in vain but he won many cricketing hearts and the Player of the Tournament award. Hard luck mate.

High flying Kiwis

It was an excellent team performance by the Kiwis who in my opinion deserved to be champions. Despite having some very good seam bowling options they opted for spinners which proved to be lethal particularly against India. Under Williamson New Zealand performed exceedingly well. They adapted to varying situations very well. They were on a roll until they ran into the English Wall. Santner, Sodhi and McClenaghan combined well to strangle opposition batsmen. A well balanced team overall that deserved more than just an inglorious semi-final exit.

Fading stars

Gone are the days of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Abbas. The Pakistani team lacked conviction and depth. The most hilarious team in my opinion was the Paksitani team. Led by the comical Afridi, the Pakistanis came to a street fight thinking it would be a stroll in the park. Apart from Sharjeel, Sarfaraz and in the middle order Malik nobody looked serious. An obviously livid Waqar made a scathing post tournament report criticizing players attitude and fitness. Time for PCB to put on its green cap and do some serious thinking.

Choked performance

Hard to say what really went wrong with the South African campaign. A classic example where performance belied expectations. DeVelliers and Steyn failed to fire. Tahir and Rabada lacked potency. And du Plessis hardly led from the front. With 9 of their players in their 30s wonder how many will make it to Australia in 2020.

No-show

Malinga didn’t show up for the tournament. Dilshan scoop failed to show up as well. The entire Sri Lankan team failed to put in a cohesive performance. Their fielding also looked below-par and the bowling lacked depth. Understandably, the team is building up but it should have done more than just meekly bowing out of the tournament. Mathews failed to deliver when it mattered the most.

Calypso Renegades

The West Indians may have won it fair and square but they need to draw a line when it comes to showing respect and maintaining the game’s integrity. The West Indians behaved like anarchists. Marlon Samuels’ press conference was disgraceful. His actions both on and off the field were against the spirit of the game. Even Sri Lanka have had their fair share of problems with their board but have not reacted like the West Indians. Bravo called the WICB unprofessional but did the West Indians behave professionally? If they have issues with the board they should settle it like gentlemen by sitting across the table and thrashing out thorny issues and not by washing their dirty linen in the public. They should take a leaf from the Dutch captain Peter Borren who voiced his anguish at not being given more opportunities to play against some of the best teams in the world.

Apart from the unseasonal rainfall that played spoilsport in some of the matches, the tournament proceeded smoothly and lived up to its expectations. Over to IPL. Till then Au revoir!

I cheated. So what?

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value - Albert Einstein

 “He is not guilty,” declared Ben Johnson's sister Clare Rodney after the International Olympics Committee stripped the 1988 Seoul Olympics Gold Medalist for failing the drugs test. Ben’s is a rags to riches to disgrace story. History is full of such stories. This time the doping menace has claimed the glamorous tennis superstar Maria Sharapova. Like others before her, the Russian feigned ignorance to plead her innocence. At this level how can one afford to be so ignorant? Globally, I believe only the cricket fanatic Indians might have believed her innocent plea. Understandable. She had famously once said, “Who is Sachin?” Sharapova’s is not the first case of cheating at sports. Many top athletes have fallen prey to performance enhancing stimulants. The pressure to perform at the highest level is immense on these athletes. There is pressure from sponsors, fans and fellow athletes. The burden of expectations weighs on their minds. Ask Jennifer Capriati. A teenage sensation, the young prodigy’s rise to fame was meteoric. She was unable to handle all the media attention and the glory. She succumbed to the evil clutches of fame.

Drugs has claimed the likes of Martina Hingis (Tennis), Shane Warne (Cricket), Diego Maradona (Soccer) , Hulk Hogan (WWF), Marion Jones (Sprint), Andre Agassi (Tennis), Alex Rodriguez (Baseball), Alain Baxter (Skiing) and the list goes on. But what about other cheating tactics, that have been employed by sportspersons to achieve success? In one of the most disgraceful events to have ever been witnessed by Cricket, known to be a gentlemen’s game, Australian captain Greg Chappell ordered his younger brother and teammate to bowl the last ball of the innings underarm. Though considered legal as per the rules that existed at the time, the notorious bowling incident triggered a massive uproar worldwide among the cricket community. Top cricket commentator of that time and former Australian captain Richie Benaud described it as one of the worst things he has ever seen done on a cricket field. The incident not only marred Australia and New Zealand’s cricketing relationship, it also haunted the Chappell brothers for years to come.

Competition should be encouraged in sports but every competitor should have an equal chance of winning. Artificial help denies hard work a chance to prove its worth. And what about match fixing? We have seen outcomes orchestrated by players and managers to make money. Do these sportspersons spare a thought for the spectators who adore and look upon them as their idols? Arsene Wenger, Arenal FC Manager critically once said, “You cannot accept that somebody who works the whole week decides to spend his money to go to a game and you cheat him because all is decided before he gets to the stand.” Would you pay if you knew you were going to watch a drama instead of a game?

God Complex

It is the fans that give these sporting individuals a superstar or God status and these supertsars start acting like one believing they could get away with anything. Argentinian football legend Maradona cheated not once but twice. The first incident was famously self-declared as ‘The Hand of God’, involved Maradona just flicking the ball with his hand over an advancing Peter Shilton’s head into the empty net. The second of course was drug-related. The question to be asked is: Do your athletic skills give you a license to flaunt rules meant to be fair to all? Does one have to cheat to get to the top?

7 Deadly Sins

Sometime back I had read an article on why people cheat at sports. The reasons are listed below:

A ‘win all’ mentality. Athletes are conditioned mentally to develop a winning mentality. But some believe they have to win everything, no matter how.

Measurble achievements. Individuals in this category are motivated by trophies, medals and certificates and even degrees.

Perform or Perish. You will find this mantra everywhere in our society. Most of us fall prey to this.

Short sightedness. I bet Sharapova at first overlooked her drug habit as a minor thing which later developed into a long term habit that ultimately led to her fall from grace.

A level playing field. 'But Everybody's Doing It!' - was Lance Armstrong’s reaction to an enquiry on his doping habit. The pressure to be on par or be even better than the rest of the competition often drives individuals to opt for methods which defy the very spirit of the sport.

Mental fatigue. According to Maurice Schweitzer, Ph.D., professor at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and co-author of Friend and Foe: When to Cooperate, When to Compete, and How to Succeed at Both, when we are mentally drained, we’re more likely to do what we want and that is to win with less or no effort.

Situation. Sports psychologists say that the desire to win can be so great at times that you can trick your mind into believing the wrong is right. In an interview in 2013 with BBC, Lance Armstrong had the audacity to say that he would not shy away from doping again if he were allowed to go back in time.

Parting Shot

I may not be an athlete or a superstar, in fact I’m nobody, but flirting with failure and success has taught me that it’s ok to lose, it’s ok to fall and it’s ok if nobody looks at me as a winner as long as my integrity is not compromised. Hard work and perseverance pays off in the long run. Acknowledging defeat and accepting that you are no longer the top dog is a humble virtue to possess. 14 times singles grand slam winner Pete Sampras said on his retirement, "I played to prove things - to myself, no one else. The record books don't matter. I really don't need to prove anything to myself anymore.”

Let the party begin..........

You can hear a certain buzz growing louder in the small dusty by-lanes of Mumbai. It’s T20 time. Hey I am not referring to the battle tank. Its cricket, the gentleman’s game. But hold on, the World T20 Cup is by no means less than a battle for glory and pride. Ask the boy who wields his willow like a battle axe at Oval Maidan. Right from big corporate honchos to the kids in the slums will tune in from

8 March to watch the biennial spectacle.

The colosseum is ready to erupt to life

16 teams will be vying for the coveted trophy. Teams like Afghanistan, Ireland, Oman, Hong Kong, Netherlands and Scotland have the opportunity to showcase their mettle. They may not have superstars among their ranks but their self-belief cannot be questioned. The twenty-20 format gives them the license to throw caution to the winds and bat without fear. It will be trial by fire for the minnows of the cricketing world.

And then there are the big boys of the game where the battle turns into an all-or-nothing war. Friends turn foes, mentees turn protégés, boys become men. Each player wears his country’s pride as he walks onto the field. Each team has superstars and superstars in-the-making. Let’s take a look at the teams.

Grounded eagles

A team with potential but without killer punch. Zimbabwe’s story is a team of have’s and have not’s. Guided by Dav Whatmore who led Sri Lanka to 1996 World Cup victory, Zimbabwe could make it past the group stage but further progress will depend on their mental strength and self-belief.

Tigers on the prowl

Filled with enthusiasm and bustling with talent, the Bangladeshi’s have the ability to humiliate any big team on its day. These guys believe in their cricket and they have shown it on a number of occasions. They resemble the Sri Lanka of early ‘90s. Best case scenario: Semifinals.

No chin music?

A star studded team brimming with talent. The Kangaroos are made of champion stuff. But will they deliver when it matters the most? They have been accused of not taking the shortest form of the game too seriously. Is that true? Or is it just that the Aussies have failed to learn a trick or two? Despite their not so impressive performance against India (at home), the Warners, Baileys and Maxwells will be keen on proving their worth. Cup favorites.

Black widows

The Black Caps are one of the favourites of this tournament. Can they play spin as good as their Trans Tasman counterparts? We’ll see. They will be playing without the Maverick Mccullum. The Kiwis possess one of the most potent bowling attacks in the game. They have an agile fielding unit and their batting prowess in the shortest form of the game is well known. Boult and Henry can be a handful on their days. Their ability to adapt to the slow pitches of India will be the key to their success.

It's A Bird... It's A Plane... It's Superman!

This team is brimming with champions led by the daredevil Devilliers. A formidable batting lineup backed by a disciplined bowling unit. But the springboks can deliver the knockout punch when it matters the most? They are big favourites. Imran Tahir will be keen on exploiting the conditions suited to his bowling and Rabada will be eager to showcase his skills. The million dollar man Millers will be the man to watch out for.

Calypso beats

A team that suffers from identity crisis. That’s how I would sum up the Caribbeans. They are not short of talent but they lack cohesiveness and the hunger to win big games. They are no pushovers though. A semifinal berth is expected. Can they put their petty issues and egos aside and play as a team? Only time will tell. Will the Gayle force come alive? Let’s wait and watch.

Scoop it up

The slinger is back and so is the swagger. Yes I am talking about the dynamic duo of Lasith Malinga and Tilakaratne Dilshan. The current world champions have their task cut out without Sanga and Jaya. They have an able leader in Mathews. This is a young team that is struggling to fit into some very big shoes. They are familiar with the playing conditions and that could play to their advantage.

Root-ed in fundamentals

Over the last 1 year the Poms have played some truly outstanding cricket. A well-knit unit with all round abilities this team has been overcoming one hurdle after another. Ahh wait. Isn’t spin the old nemesis of English cricketers? It will be interesting to see how the likes of Joe Root and Jos Butler tackle spin and uneven bounce on tricky Indian pitches. However, Moeen Ali will find himself at home in otherwise alien conditions to his colleagues.

Boom boom! Bang bang!

Once regarded as the sultans of swing bowling, the green shirts do not strike fear in the opposing bastmen anymore with their bowling. Led by the flamboyant Afridi (in possibly his last T20 appearance), the Pakistanis can be a surprise package. They always have been. Sami is back and so is Amir. They have plenty of experience to bring back home the coveted title. The dark horses of the tournament.

Spitting cobra

Indians are firm favorites of the tournament. Batting is their strength and bowling their weakness. However, they are playing in their own backyard. The last time India played at home in a multination event they became the world champions. In Jadeja, the team has arguably possesses the world’s best fielder. Dhoni himself has been electrifying behind the stumps. Ashwin has been bowling the right length. Overall a team to beat for the rest.

Having said enough, it will be nothing short of a carnival atmosphere in India as the T20 matches roll on. Everybody will be talking, breathing and living cricket for 26 days. Let the games begin first.

Till then dasvidaniya.