It’s time the sport’s structure in India is set right

When the $50,000 KPIT ATP Challenger tennis tournament gets underway in Pune on Monday, it will be a step in the right direction for Indian tennis. It will be the fifth Challenger tournament this year. For a country which last hosted one six years ago, having five is a giant leap. Spain, in 2014, accounted for two. Japan, a rising Asian power, has three.

But it betrays a certain inconsistency. For players to climb the ladder, testing their skills against quality opponents, it is necessary to have a pyramid-like structure of tournaments. This involves sufficient $10,000 Futures for entrants, $15,000 events for more ranking points, $50,000 and $100,000 Challengers to get to the doorstep of the ATP tour and finally ATP Tour events themselves.

In India, over the past few years, these have not co-existed. The ATP Chennai Open has been around since 1997 but there were hardly any Challengers. Now when Challengers have sprung up, the $10,000 Futures have dwindled and the $15,000 Futures stagnated. While 2012 saw 17 Futures (15 $10,000 and 2 $15,000), it reduced to 11 (9 and 2) in 2013 and eight in all (including three more to come) in 2014.

Suraj R. Prabodh, a top-ranking junior from Karnataka before he started competing in Futures, said, “We were told there would be enough tournaments. We thought we could play here and our parents could accompany us as we are very young. But now I have to go abroad even to defend last year’s points. I need to travel alone because of the huge costs.” Karnataka, after hosting six Futures in 2012, has hosted none since.

Patchy history

Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association secretary Sunder Raju conceded that their “history has been patchy,” but said, “Sponsorship is the biggest problem. Finding it is a draining exercise. Associations are not robust enough as office-bearers are honorary. So we are revisiting the whole thing.”

The effect this has on tennis in a country can be clearly gauged. In the 2014 calendar, France had 24 Futures and 10 Challengers. Italy 38 (highest) and 19. France has 19 players in the top-200 and Italy 10.

India has only two in the top-200.

Indian players who took advantage of the Futures in 2012 saw their rankings rise to the 300s. But they stagnated without enough $15,000 Futures in the subsequent years. A winner of a $10,000 tournament gets 18 points, while in a $15,000 tournament, with hospitality and a near similar depth of field, a second-place finish gives 20 points.

Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, who broke into the 300s in late 2012 and is currently ranked 328, said, “We wouldn’t always want to go into a tournament where only a victory will cap it as a good week. In today’s game there is pressure. It goes unsaid. But nobody would want it at every tournament.”

In recent years even non-traditional tennis countries like Egypt and Turkey have hosted more than 30 Futures a year. While these are privately funded with the local associations having next to no role, they have proved beneficial. As recently as September, Ramkumar Ramanathan, India’s third-best singles player, reached his career-best ranking of 260 after winning back-to-back tournaments in Turkey. This ranking will now give him a direct entry to a Challenger.

Karti P. Chidambaram, vice-president of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association, which has hosted 15 of the 36 Futures in the past three years, said that there was no fundraising at the AITA level.

Financially unviable

“An ITF $10,000 is financially unviable,” he said. “In cricket, the BCCI pumps money from the top. But where is the money here? They need to find a national sponsor who can allot around 250,000 dollars and commit to 25 Futures a year.”

On his part, Anil Khanna, president, All India Tennis Association, insisted India was doing “something remarkable”.

“Last year we had 40 weeks of international tennis (including Road to Wimbledon, Davis Cup). This year we have five Challengers. For three years we have had nine ITF juniors, the fourth highest in the world. In Asia we are among the top three. (But) these tournaments have zero spectator and commercial interests. We want the government to step in and efforts are being made.”

These efforts have to be made quickly. World tennis is increasingly looking at Asia as its next market. Japan’s Kei Nishikori and China’s Li Na have inspired a generation of youngsters. For India to have its own superstar it’s imperative that the structure be set right.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/its-time-the-sports-structure-in-india-is-set-right/article6517137.ece

A right mix of Indian and foreign talent: Chennaiyin FC preview

For every team in the Indian Super League (ISL), the challenge will be to make the whole seem greater than the sum of its parts. Chennaiyin FC has to do this in double quick time. It has looked perennially a step or two behind the rest, for it was conceived only at the last minute following the withdrawal of the Bangalore franchise.

From the signing of the marquee player to the identification of the training ground, it has had to play catch-up. Now that things have more or less fallen into place it’s time for the focus to shift to the pitch.

Any city-based league, like the Indian Premier League, with a mix of Indian and foreign nationals, attracts the first set of eyeballs mainly on virtue of its overseas talent. In this respect the team will be identified by Bernard Mendy, formerly Paris Saint-Germain, Cristian Hidalgo Gonzalez, a product of the famed Barcelona academy La Masia, Bojan Djordjic, former Manchester United youth player, Mikael Silvestre, formerly Manchester United and marquee signing Elano Blumer.

But as any IPL side found out in subsequent years, it’s the strength of its Indian contingent that tilts the balance. Here, East Bengal skipper and mid-fielder Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Mohun Bagan captain and goal keeper Shilton Paul, former Churchill Brothers forward and 2014 FPAI Indian player of the year Balwant Singh, and the highly rated 23-year-old striker Jeje Lalpekhlua have to come good.

However, the trump card for Chennaiyin FC might well be Elano, the 33-year-old Brazilian who is the youngest among all marquee players. So far he hasn’t garnered as much interest as the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Robert Pires et al have done. But come match day he might well outdo everybody.

As with other sides, formation-wise, not much is known as all training sessions have been under closed doors. On paper, a classic 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 with one striker in a withdrawn role looks possible. But a 3-5-2 shape was used in the last of its practise games. Age and coaching philosophies might also mean that players’ might be shifted out of their comfort zones.

However, with former Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi at the helm, an Italian imprint with emphasis on defensive organisation and tactical acumen is a given. But as Elano told The Hindu they will also have to attack and score goals. Getting this concoction right will be the key.

The team:

Goalkeepers: Abhijit Mondal, Shilton Paul, Gennaro Bracigliano

Defenders: Gouramangi Singh, Dhanachandra Singh, Khelemba Meetei, Abhishek Das, Bernard Mendy, Jairo Suarez, Marco Materazzi, Mikael Silvestre

Midfielders: Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Denson Devadas, Dane Pereira, NP Pradeep, Jaison Vales, Anthony Barbosa, Sukhwinder Singh, Cristian Hidalgo, Bojan Djordjic, Bruno Pelissari, Pierre Tillman, Elano Blumer.

Forwards: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Jayesh Rane, Balwant Singh, Eduardo Silva Lerma, John Stiven Mendoza.

Head Coach: Marco Materazzi

Assistant Coach: Vivek Nagul

Owners: Vita Dani, Abhishek Bachchan and M.S. Dhoni

Marquee Player: Elano Blumer

Watch out for:

Balwant Singh will in all probability lead the attack. With 17 goals for Churchill Brothers in all competitions, 2014 has been his breakout year. Currently with Mohun Bagan, the ace forward would like to be as prolific in the ISL.

Cristian Hidalgo Gonzalez, a product of Barcelona’s youth set-up, is expected to be a first-team regular. Adept as a winger and as a withdrawn striker, the 31-year-old Spaniard also has the experience of having played for Deportivo La Coruna.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/a-right-mix-of-indian-and-foreign-talent/article6489388.ece

'I am also a little Italian'

Back in 2010, on the eve of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Brazil’s Elano Blumer, one of coach Dunga’s key men, said, “I’ve always considered myself one of the team’s supporting cast. I never want to be the star.”

However, four years on, the 33-year-old finds himself as Chennaiyin FC’s marquee signing for the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL). The former Manchester City player spoke to The Hindu ahead of his latest adventure.

Why did you decide to play in India and what are your first impressions?

My decision was to not continue playing in Brazil. The new project here seemed exciting and has the potential to grow. India, its culture and the whole history attracted me as well.

Throughout your career, you have been very versatile. Once at Manchester City you even played as a full back. What will be your position here?

My original position is attacking midfielder. Of course, I have played in different positions according to situations. It will not be any different here. I will be an attacking midfielder but if I need to help the team somewhere else, I can.

Marco [Materazzi] being an Italian comes from a different school; may be a slightly defensive one as compared to the Brazilian school. How do you expect to fit into it?

I believe Italian football is very tactical. We have to respect that because after Brazil they have the most trophies [along with Germany]. I am also a little Italian [because of his origin]. I was joking with Marco that I can now learn more Italian. I believe that we need to have a well organised system and Italy is known for it. We will work together and adjust.

As a professional in Europe you play one game a week, sometimes two. Here you will play a game every three or four days. Will the short recovery time be a problem?

No. It’s same as Brazil. And it’s not a challenge just for me, but for all the players. The weather will be hot too. So hopefully next season it will be better scheduled.

Are you happy with the facilities in Chennai?

There are a few things which can be better. But I understand it’s a new beginning and it will take time. I am happy that I am making new friends and going through a new experience. You just have to brush aside the small difficulties and keep moving forward.

You were a regular with the A Selecao during Dunga’s reign. What sort of a rapport do you enjoy with the current Brazilian coach?

We have been together for six years and won the Copa America and the Confederations Cup.

He is a good person and even today we are friends. Though, he is the national team manager, I can still call him, talk to him and exchange ideas.

You have had problems with some managers before. How important is to have his backing to succeed?

It’s important to trust each other. He is ultimately the boss. So it’s necessary to have his confidence. You can play freely when you know the coach will back you no matter what happens.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/i-am-also-a-little-italian-says-elano/article6482364.ece

From Mourinho to Materazzi to us…

Of the 49 foreign players who entered the player draft for the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL), former French defender and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Bernard Mendy was the top pick.

The 33-year-old, who is set to marshal Chennaiyin FC’s defence, spoke to The Hindu on ISL, its role in Indian football and on manager Marco Materazzi.

Excerpts:

Why did you choose ISL?

I had the choice to stay in France, but I accepted this challenge. I have played in England, France and Denmark. So, why not here? My agent spoke to me about it. Then players like Olivier Dacourt and [Nicolas] Anelka made my choice easy.

Were you easily convinced?

I didn’t know much about Indian football. I knew cricket was big. But here, we now have a good project for the Indian players. So I came here to see what I can do and help the Indian players get better.

What role do you think ISL will play?

We can help everybody: the players, the academies. PSG now has an academy in Delhi. Why not in Chennai? It will be good for the city. The younger generation likes football. They watch Cristiano Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi and want to play like them.

What are your first impressions of the Indian players? Where do they lack — technically or physically?

It has been good. They want to learn. Some are strong and some small. I like one guy called Abhishek [Das]. He listens a lot and asks a lot of questions. He wants to learn. Everybody wants to learn. But, with him, it’s more. He also plays like me in the defence. So he is like my little brother.

You were the top pick at the player draft. How did it feel?

I was happy to be the first. But I have a lot of responsibility along with Elano, and [Mikel] Silvestre. I am a leader and I need to prove that every time.

How is Materazzi as a manager and what are his tactics?

I was very surprised. I know him as a very good player, but he has been a good manager too. He is, basically, a bit defensive. He played under [Jose] Mourinho who is number one in the world. So he is trying to use what he learnt from Mourinho. You can see that in the training sessions. It’s flowing from Mourinho to him and from him to us.

People talk about how you beat Roberto Carlos once; close to 100m in 10.5 seconds. Do you still have that pace?

Yeah. But you should ask the Indian players. It’s funny. Every club I go to, they watch that video. I’ll do my best here too. I might not play in the same position [right-back] because I will be used more centrally. Since we will be playing every three days, the players might not be fit enough for every game. So, I can play at right-back too.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/from-mourinho-to-materazzi-to-us/article6479043.ece

'Goalie' Dhoni now a Chennaiyin FC co-owner

Indian cricket captain and the face of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mahendra Singh Dhoni, further enhanced his appeal among the city’s sports fans after he was announced as a co-owner of the Indian Super League franchise Chennaiyin FC here on Monday. “I am fortunate to get associated with the team,” said Dhoni. “I have played seven years of Indian Premier League (IPL) from this city. It would have been emotionally difficult if I had been associated with other teams like Mumbai or Kolkata. So I am glad to be a part of it.”

“Almost everyone in India knows that I started off as a footballer (goalkeeper). This was one opportunity to get associated with football.”

With city-based leagues being in vogue across sports, Dhoni, as captain of the most successful IPL team, sought to draw parallels with the highly popular cricket league. ISL, like the IPL, involves a heady mix of foreign and Indian talent and Dhoni said it was an opportunity for young Indians to learn from world-class players.

“The sport is different. But the format is quite similar. When CSK was formed, we also had foreign players. It helped us understand different cultures. I feel our Indian footballers should look up to these international stars and learn from the different footballing styles that they bring in.’’ As someone with rich experience in team building, both at the national level and in the IPL, Dhoni said that the team that gels best will come out successful.

“Players play better football at clubs than with countries as they spend a lot of time together. So, that will be the biggest challenge. To have the best dressing room atmosphere.”

“Also [with me being the co-owner] I can share some of my experiences with youngsters. Because pressure is something that’s the same irrespective of the sport.”

Dhoni also felt that the league can build a base from where players can emerge in the future.

“A lot of emphasis will be on developing the grass-roots game. When you talk to the younger generation, they discuss a lot about different leagues in the world. So the awareness is there. This [league] can prompt them to come out and play.”

After terming the league as one which has all the qualities to be as successful as the IPL, Dhoni urged the fans to get behind the team just like they support CSK. “After all, the one thing that a sportsperson needs is a chance to perform in front of packed houses.”

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/article6475407.ece