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Bully for Dhanraj!

The match-fixing scandal that has rocked the cricket world, has probably cost cricket players some heartbreak in context of the awards being handed out by the government. It is the first time since these awards were initiated that not a single cricketer figures in the list of Arjuna awardees. But what is someone’s loss is another’s gain, and for a welcome change we did see players past and present of our national sport, hockey, dominating these awards. At long last, thus, hockey gets a measure of its due recognition.

For other hockey enthusiasts and me this is really heartwarming news, as this could just act as the perfect tonic and motivational tool to rekindle the fire and enthusiasm for hockey. The more we see this type of things happening -- accolades being handed out to hockey players, especially those in the current Indian team -– the more popular the game will get, and the better will be the chances of our hockey players becoming role models to budding sportsmen.

This could be the start of a colossal change in the mindset, especially as parents would consider sending their kids to play hockey instead of cricket. Don’t get me wrong -- I am not against cricket, (it has dominated the country for the better part of more than a decade) but I would just like to see hockey players receive the same acclaim and support that our cricketers received.

Let us take a look at the recipients for this year:-

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award – awarded to Dhanraj Pillay

The Arjuna Award, divided into two categories: The Lifetime award, given to Balbir Singh Kullar, V J Phillips, and Haripal Kaushik and the current award, given to national hockey captain Ramandeep Singh.

I wish to congratulate all the above award winners for the contributions they have made towards hockey, and hope that this trend of acknowledging services rendered continues in the future.

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award is the highest honour bestowed by the government on the country’s sportspersons, and Dhanraj had to fight off the challenge of other household names like shooter Jaspal Rana and thrower Shakti Singh to bag this coveted honour. Although the award comes with a cheque of Rs 3 lakh, it is not the money but the recognition that really counts.

What does one write about Dhanraj Pillay? Where does one start?

He has been giving his heart out for the national team way back from 1989 onwards, and this in itself is a revelation especially in the manner in which he has maintained his drive, commitment, desire and fitness to excel at the highest levels. Hats off to this flamboyant crowd-puller who has been the scourge of defenses all around the globe. Ask any coach the world over, and they would be willing to give an arm and a leg to have Dhanraj in their team. Dhanraj is to India what Shahbaz is to Pakistan, what Bovelander is to Holland, what Carsten Fisher is to Germany, what Jay Stacy is to Australia. Dominant characters all, who are icons in their respective countries vis-à-vis hockey.

So what is left for this exceptionally talented player to achieve?

With Sydney around the corner and Dhanraj’s selection a foregone conclusion (barring serious injury), he will be included in the select group of players who have represented their countries in three consecutive Olympic. This in itself is one hell of an achievement in today’s hockey, considering the amount of wear and tear on the body whilst playing on astro-turf.

Dhanraj, who led the team that won the gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games, who was selected for the World XI after the 1994 Sydney World Cup, and who won the Arjuna award in 1999, is like Shahbaz a much-sought player by most of the European clubs. In Europe, they are starved for the skills of the sub-continental maestros, and Dhanraj today fills that need. The Stuttgart Kickers have roped him in to play for them in the German league, and judging by the reports trickling in he has given them a great deal of satisfaction by his performance, thereby ensuring that they retain his services for the next season. If memory serves me right, he is the only Indian player, ever, to be contracted by a top European club while still a member of the national side.

With the rumour that this Olympics will be his swan song, I cannot help but feel that this extrovert will use the stage to perform par excellence and bring back a medal – which is what we Indians are really hungry for.

Dhanraj, heartiest congratulations. You rightly deserve this award for all the yeoman’s service you have given this country. I sincerely hope that all your dreams come true in the future as well. All the very best of luck.

Cedric D'Souza