Leander Adrian Paes: Making Indians proud since 1991

When Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek won the US Open doubles title, Paes became only the 2nd tennis player in Open Era to win a Grand Slam at age of 40..

For more on him check my latest article in The Times of India..

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/us-open-2013/indian-challenge/Leander-Adrian-Paes-Making-Indians-proud-since-1991/articleshow/22437658.cms

Getty Photo

Can Gareth “Bale” Real Madrid Out?

He’s not worth it. Wales’s international winger Gareth Bale, who recently completed a high-profile move from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to La Liga giants Real Madrid for a staggering fee of €100m ($132m or £85m) that made him the most expensive player in the history of the game, is not worth his transfer fee at all. I know that it’s uncanny for me to begin this blog with such a pessimistic approach, but the facts are plain, simple and as clear as water. He’s just not worth his world record fee.

Let’s not get things wrong. Gareth Bale is an exceptional player. He’s one of the fastest on the circuit, he’s got that morale-boosting aura that can lift a team when all hope seems lost (Remember his hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro?) and not to forget he’s got a lethal left leg that can make any goalkeeper contemplate calling in sick before an important match. In fact, Bale is undoubtedly a player who any manager would die to have on their team. But when a team shells out money just to satisfy the “ego” of an individual, that’s when I draw the line between intelligence and lunacy.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is the “individual” whom I’m talking about. In some ways one can call him the “Real-messiah” due to that colossal reputation he’s earned of giving the fans what they want. He’s been known to have a history of acquiring elite footballers by paying extremely high prices. Some might call it his undying “passion” towards the club and the beautiful game while others might call it his dire need to satisfy his inflated “ego”. The debate is open and is something that will never end.

Reuters Photo

It was Perez’s bold initiative that led to the “Galacticos” era when the football fraternity was graced by the presence of Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos, Iker Casillas, and Co. playing for the same team at the same pitch all the same time. And it was when he began his second term as club President in 2009 that he first bought Kaka from AC Milan for £58 million before breaking an eight-year world record transfer fee deadlock to sign Man United’s Cristiano Ronaldo for £80 million.

Perez’s exploits are something that are known quite well in the footballing world and therefore when rumors started floating that Real Madrid would be willing to breach the €100m mark just to get Bale to play at the Bernabeu, no one seemed surprised. It was kind of like what else is new? However, what people started doing almost immediately was drawing up career statistics comparing Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and whether or not the Welshman actually deserved his world record price tag.

Let’s look at the statistics ourselves, shall we? In his six seasons at Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 118 goals thereby leading the Red Devils to three Premier League titles, two Carling Cups, one FA Cup, one Community Shield and one Club World Cup. On the other hand Gareth Bale, in his six seasons at White Hart Lane, has scored just 55 goals without winning any elite championship. Not to be rude or anything, but Ronaldo scored 54 goals just last season with Madrid. That’s six seasons combined in one.

Also, during his tenure, Cristiano Ronaldo bagged one FIFA Ballon D'or, one World Player of the Year award, two PFA Player of the Year awards, one Young Player of the Year Award and two Fans Player of the Year Award (The list actually goes on but I’ve left out quite a few so that the die-hard Bale fans don’t get demoralized). However, Gareth Bale only bagged two PFA Player of the Year awards and one Young Player of the Year Award.

Another very interesting thing to note is the fact that Bale, unlike Ronaldo, is solely dependent on his left foot. Which is why his playing positions on the football field are limited. At most what he can do is do a to-and-fro between the left back and left wing positions. On the other hand Cristiano Ronaldo, who was once complimented by a commentator as being able to score with any part of his body, scored 54 goals last season with 29 goals off his right foot (excluding free-kicks and penalty-kicks), 16 with his left foot and 8 with his head.

Bale’s move has become one of the most talked about sagas in football history not just among the fans, but also among the football community. Leading coaches have openly condemned the move with new Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino going to the extent of calling it a “joke”. I don’t know what the problem with the world is. Real Madrid seem to have everything figured out. At a time when the world economy is in chaos and Spain is embroiled in a financial crisis that seems never-ending, for football club to take loans just to pay €100m for player who according to his own national coach is “injury-prone” and not “fit enough” to play a full 90-minute match makes "perfect" sense. Don’t you think so? ;)

The English ‘Profitability’ League..

One thing I’ve learnt in my life that has made me a little wiser and more mature is that anything and everything on this planet is in some way or the other proportional to enduring profits. It is. It really is. If an idea or a concept is not lucrative, it’s considered to be ludicrous. And of course, the person suggesting that idea automatically becomes an epitome of “insanity”.

 

The reason I’m bringing all this out is because of recent happenings in the world of football. To be precise, Indian football. Well not actually Indian, but somewhere or the other we Indians always decide that things must have an effect on our society. So, Yes.. I’ll take it as Indian Football.

 

According to reports, the Indian football fans might be in for a treat pretty soon. Very soon the people in India would have the privilege to listen to English Premier League commentary on All India Radio (AIR) FM Rainbow. If things work out that is. Here is a quote from an article on The Times of India website…

 

“In an effort to get Indian football fans hooked to the EPL, a London-based Indian company — Indian Football Evolution (known as Kshatriya Sports in India) — entered into a sales agreement with talkSPORT, global audio partner of the EPL, for broadcast services in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.”

 

What’s interesting in this is the fact that a “London based Indian” company wants to get Indian football fans “hooked” to the EPL. What’s even more interesting is the callous fact that this “London based Indian” company wants “Indian” football fans to get hooked to “British” football rather than “Indian Football.”

 

Like I said, anything and everything is proportional to profits. So, there you have it. The people at Kshatriya Sports cannot be blamed. In fact, they’re doing a wonderful job to help promote football in India (This includes nurturing Indian talent, setting up Football academies, helping State Football Associations, etc.) The problem, to begin with, lies in the manner in which football is treated in India.

 

Why did the English Premier League supersede the I-League in the first place? Why is it that the majority of the Indian football fans are only interested in foreign football? When did all this start in the first place? What made leagues like EPL, La Liga, Serie A more popular in India than its local leagues? The answer is pretty simple. And I’ve said it before as well. No. It’s not “talent”. India’s got Talent as well. Players like Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Renedy Singh, Gouramangi Singh and Steven Dias could have shaken the world in their prime. The answer, sadly, is profits.

 

The English Premier League began its broadcast in India in the year 2002. I-League (formerly known as The National Football League) began in 1996. What happened in those six years that drastically changed the course of football in India? Nothing actually. That was the problem. Nothing happened.

 

There was little or no coverage for the National Football League. It was not telecasted. Even if it was, then the coverage was pathetic. There were no commentators. There was no pre-match or post-match analysis. There was absolutely no professionalism. Indian footballers were playing their hearts out only to find out that no one was watching. Talent was going waste. Football was heading towards its demise.

 

On the other hand, due to excellent broadcasting, ESPN-Star took the competition by the throat and shoved it in the dustbin. The deal signed by ESPN to broadcast EPL in India will and should go down as ESPN’s greatest business decision ever. Foreign Football’s growing popularity in India is mostly due to ESPN-Star’s coverage combined with talented football players and most importantly “Money”.

 

Now when a TV channel is willing to bid as much as $145 million just to broadcast football in India, one can certainly be assured that they know what the scenario of Indian football is. More importantly, what’s even sadder is that ESPN-Star knows more than some of the Indian TV Channels about what Indian football fans want to see. It was just the right blend of football mixed with impeccable coverage and professional standards. That’s all it took for Indian football to die.

 

When the I-league was formed in 2007, Zee Sports did try to do the same. They brought in football experts. Talent was roped in from England. People tried their level best to resurrect Indian football. But till then it was too late. EPL had already made its permanent residence in the hearts of Indians. Teams like Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal meant more to us than East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Today every fan knows how many teams play in EPL, but only a handful of them know the same about the I-league.

 

And this brings us back to the whole EPL being broadcasted on FM thing. Why would someone like Kshatriya Sports not want to get involved in this? Their job has already been done. The sport has already been made popular in the country. There’s nothing that can revive the competition now. Indian footballers are being treated like dirt. Popularity of foreign footballers is on high. It’s guaranteed money. I think that they have all the reasons to go ahead with the deal and bring EPL on AIR FM.

 

The EPL-AIR FM deal will surely be the final nail in Indian Football’s coffin. I don’t think that even the IPL-style football league would be able to help (I hope that I’m wrong). And with the All India Football Federation disbanding its developmental outfit Pailan Arrows due to lack of financial commitment from its sponsors, it was just a good opportunity capitalized by Kshatriya Sports.

 

I’m no one to complain that it’s EPL that is being broadcasted on FM instead of Indian football. I’m no one to suggest that what Kshatriya Sports is doing is bad for Indian Football’s future. Because when there’s an assured reason for profits and an idea in hand that would be well received due to the already “immensely-cemented” popularity of EPL in India, it was just a bomb ticking to explode.  

The Prodigal Son Returns..

“It’s Chelsea’s title to lose now.” This is what Jose Mourinho said when the Blues were being managed by Guss Hiddink who had taken over the affairs from Luiz Felipe Scolari who had taken over from Avram Grant who had taken over from Mourinho himself. Of course Chelsea didn’t win the title that season, but they did go on to clinch the FA Cup. But was that what they really wanted? The answer is No.

Ever since the London club was taken over in a ruthless transaction by Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich, they’ve had just one goal – to win trophies. And quite frankly Roman does not care which one. All he wants is the trophies because those are directly proportional to the moolah influx. And Mourinho was Roman’s “chosen one”. Or as Jose likes to put it, he was the “Special One”. He was specifically bought to win the Blues those elusive trophies. And that he did.

In Mourinho’s first two seasons in-charge he won four trophies, out of which the domestic league title was Chelsea’s first in 50 years. Jose led Chelsea to 64 consecutive home league matches without defeat in his four seasons at the helm; signed notable players like Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack and did everything possible to make the Russian billionaire very “happy” and “rich”.

AP Photo

However, in a move that was seen by millions as completely irrational and illogical, Chelsea and Mourinho parted ways by “mutual consent” to make way for better things. Now only people in the Abramovich clan know what conspired between Roman and Jose by the end of the Mourinho’s fourth term at Stamford Bridge when he left the club. But just like an infant without his mum, both Chelsea and Mourinho could not exist without each other.

 Chelsea tried a handful of managers and Jose tried a handful of clubs, but it was quite evident that both needed each other to co-exist.  Even though Mourinho won the Champions League with FC Porto before moving to London, the kind of buzz and aura that surrounded Stamford Bridge when the Special One was around was matched by none other.

 The bottom line was that Mourinho was not happy being away. The biggest example of that was seen by the world when Real Madrid was knocked out of the Champions League last season and Jose went on national television to say that he wants to be someplace where he will be happy and respected.  Almost immediately, just like putting the final piece of the puzzle in place, the stage was set for the Special One to make his second “homecoming” at the Bridge.

The worst kept secret in Footballing history was out on June 3rd, 2013 when Jose Mourinho was confirmed as Chelsea coach for the second time. And things immediately started to fall in place for Chelsea. Frank Lampard and John Terry reacted as if Dad was coming home. And why shouldn’t have they been happy? Their careers were literally created by the Special One. And now it was time to finish some unfinished business.

In ten seasons of club management, including an eight-month sabbatical in 2007–08, Mourinho has led his club to win its domestic league seven times, the UEFA Champions League twice and the UEFA Cup once. Since 2002, Mourinho has not gone a full calendar year without winning at least one trophy.

And now with Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Arsene Wenger vowing to never win a trophy ever again, Manchester City without a seasoned manager and Liverpool just being Liverpool, the English Premier League is practically begging Chelsea to grab it by the throat and take it away after spending an eternity at Manchester. This can indeed be Chelsea’s season as it has started by giving out vibes that promise to deliver a season like no other. It promises some thrilling action and with the deadly yet deliberant combination of Jose Mourinho and Chelsea, the Blues will surely be aiming to give their prodigal son the perfect homecoming present. Another Premier League Medal.

Luis Suarez: Liverpool's Good Kind of Bad..

Ever since the whole “bitegate” phenomenon involving Luis Suarez and Branislav Ivanovic occurred, every single person on this planet who follows football knew that Suarez is not going to last. Not because of the audacity of his actions, but simply because it was a classic case of “history” repeating itself.

Suarez, who represented Ajax Amsterdam in the Dutch League and scored 81 goals in 110 appearances, was involved in a similar altercation with another player that led to the Uruguayan being handed an analogous penalty.  Now that I come to think about it, the word “altercation” is too gentle. The actions of Suarez were hands-down undisciplined and completely irrational. No matter how much frustrated you are on the field, no matter how much things are not going in your direction, you just cannot lose your cool. Don’t get me wrong, but even the best have been involved in some pretty despicable scenarios (David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, etc) but to do the same thing twice in three years just does not cut it.

Coming back to Ajax, Suarez needless to say was on his way out of the club after being handed a 10-match ban. Liverpool was his new home.  Anfield, his new playground. He didn’t even serve a one-match ban. The penalty went just like that. And ask anyone, but that is what the problem is to begin with. “If you commit the crime, you gotta do the time.” Suarez didn’t. Which is what made him take things for granted. Even after the whole Patrice Evra racism ignominy, Suarez always had the backing of Liverpool. It was at that time when the Reds should have taken things in control. Remember the Good ‘Ol days of Jamie Redknapp, Paul Ince, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, David James & co.? “Discipline” was never compromised with in those days.

But nowadays, it’s all gone down the drain. A striker has become bigger than the club. Brendan Rodgers, the manager, (Don’t get me started on him.. that would need two more blog posts) for some shitty reason always goes out of his way to pamper Suarez. Why? Is it because the club lacks decent strike-force? It is because no one at Anfield has that scoring capability? Maybe.. But then again, isn’t that your own created problem Brendan? Buying idiots in the Transfer Window, Shifting Steven Gerrard to a defensive midfielder role, letting go players who could have made the difference, etc, etc, OH GOD etc..

The bottom line is that discipline and passion is totally compromised at Anfield. The aim to win the league seems so distant that there would be a man walking on Mars before the Kop end rejoices. One just cannot let players become bigger than the club. And that is the sole reason why Sir Alex Ferguson will go down as the greatest manager of all time. Sir Alex was never afraid to put his foot down. Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane all have seen the wrath of Fergie. And that is why Manchester United is where it is today.

Luis Suarez is probably the greatest thing that has happened to Liverpool ever since Fernando Torres. Suarez has that talent to become one the Legends at Anfield. If only he does not act like a Red Neck all the time. And it’s not even his fault. The Manager and the Owners just don’t give a Damn. One can’t blame Suarez to demand that he wants to play in the Champions League. It’s natural. Every striker wants to play at the topmost level. But the fact that Liverpool will not be playing in Europe for atleast one more season combined with Suarez’s “I can get away with anything because I’m the King” attitude is what is creating further problems.

Now is the time that Suarez can actually demand what he wants. He’s playing at the top of his game. He’s got the goal-scoring ability. Clubs like Real Madrid are after him. An opportunity to play in the Champions League is in the air. And best of all, he has a 10-match Premier League ban just waiting for him to serve. Why would anyone not want to move away?

I think the Club needs to put its foot down. Suarez needs to go one way or the other. If he doesn’t, then it will be quite a while before he actually gets his mind and heart back in the game for Liverpool. Now is the time that Brendan can redeem himself. Now is the time that the resurrection of the club can start. People talk so much about the Reds’ glorious history.. now is the time to learn something from it. Implement tried and tested ideas rather than experimenting with new ones. Because, quite frankly.. the news one are just not working. To put it in a more “delicate” manner.. the new ideas and “Shit”.

‘Me’gativity and Rs 30..

So here’s the deal.. I’ve known for quite some time that the World is a cynical place.. I’ve known for an even longer time that there exists nothing like “professionalism”.. But there was one thing that I hoped would never diminish.. One thing that I hoped would help the World spin around and give people that glimmer of hope that one does care despite all the anarchy..  That “thing” was Humanity..

And when I write “was”, I mean it 100%.. Every day I keep reading shit on the web that shows horrendous examples in everyday life when people don’t even have the common courtesy to offer a helping hand to people who really want that help.. who really deserve to be helped.. And I l keep blaming them.. I say how can someone be so heartless? How can someone ignore another person’s anguish so calmly and just keep walking? The “Nirbhaya” case is an epitome of what I’m trying to say..

The thing that used to give me solace was the fact that I had this idealistic mindset that made me believe that had I been in the shoes of those people, I would have certainly never acted that way.. I would have gone out of my way to make that person feel better in one way or the other.. I would have offered that person assistance that would have made me smile at the end of day.. It would have made me feel light and ease that heavy burden off my shoulders, which would have otherwise killed me from inside.. That I would have been able to sleep peacefully that night knowing that somewhere someone is happy tonight because of me.. (Even is that happiness was just for a split moment)

But all that changed.. It changed to such an extent that nothing will ever be the same again.. You see what really messes a person’s mind (or shall I say fucks up a person’s mind) are those nonsense news articles that show people being duped while attempting to help other people in need.. It has instilled fear within others that makes one apprehensive and think twice before rushing out to helping someone in need.. Hey.. who wants to get their shirt dirty while trying to help someone whom you don’t even know.. Right?

And you know what the worst part of all this is? Sometimes it’s not even about fear.. It’s about the shame and embarrassment that one would feel if others come to find out that you’ve been duped while attempting to help someone.. That people would laugh at you because someone standing at a red light with a baby and a fake medical receipt in their hand “swindled” 50Rs off you so that they could buy medicines..  That’s the kind of BULLSHIT that the world has to deal with today? Why would someone help others in need when “fear” and “embarrassment” become more important that Humanity itself?

While these thoughts always kept roaming in my mind, I never thought that my life would change to drastic ends due to something that happened to me while on my way to office.

I was about to reach office.. I saw this guy coming from the other side.. There was something about him that intrigued me.. Probably he saw it too.. Maybe he saw that I was intrigued and that’s why he chose me to be his next victim? Ya Right, Anything that I can say to make myself feel better.. But anyway, this guy (who was not dressed shabbily) came up and surprised me by talking in immaculate English, asking for Rs 30..

He said, “Buddy, I really need some help.. I’m literally in Dire Straits right now.. could you spare me Rs. 30? I’ve come from Bangalore and have run into trouble.. I need to catch an Auto to go to my relative’s place in CR Park”.. I was stunned for two reasons.. One, I never expected such a thing happening to me ever.. Two, the guy was speaking perfect English that made me want to believe him..

I asked him, “How’d you run into trouble? Don’t you have an ATM card?”.. He said, “I have an ATM card but it’s cancelled because my Home Loan ran out too long.. I really need some help.. Could you please help me?”… I asked him, “Why don’t you call your relative to come and pick you up?”.. He said, “I don’t have a mobile on me.. I left it with my wife in Bangalore.. I’m really in Dire Straits right now.. Please help me.. All I’m asking for is Rs 30”.. Almost immediately my mind started picturing future situations where I was being laughed at and made fun of by my friends.. I pictured situations where I saw repenting afterwards that how could I be so gullible to let this man take advantage of me..

I told him, “Dude.. Your story is just not convincing.. Better luck next time”.. and I walked away.. I walked away so fast that I didn’t even turn around to look at him.. I kept walking and walking and walking till the time I entered office.. and even then I didn’t turn around.. I felt that he was following me even inside my office.. I felt that while that man was still standing on the road in his physical sense, his soul was actually following me to haunt me for the rest of my life..

I sort of consoled myself.. I told myself that don’t worry bro.. You’re gonna see him tomorrow as well.. He’s gonna be standing right there doing the same old thing.. running the same old play.. following his same old routine.. And then you’ll know that you made the right decision..

It’s been almost a month now.. Everyday while walking from the Metro Station to my office, I hope to run into that man.. I hope to see his face once again.. I hope to see him asking for Rs 30 from some random person on the road..With each passing day, I hope more than ever now.. I hope that I see him in his physical state so that his spirit would stop haunting me at night.. I hope to see him so that I can go back to that “Idealistic” world of mine where I was someone who used to criticize others for not helping people in need rather than being that person myself.. I hope and I hope..

Was Rs 30 really that much for me to compromise with my principles and ethics? Was Rs 30 really that big of an amount for me to kill and bury “Humanity” once and for all? Was Rs 30 really worth me selling my soul to the dark side? Was Rs 30 really the mark where I draw the line between me and morality? Was Rs 30 something so huge that it made me scared of being embarrassed by my friends?

At the end, it was just a paltry mount of Rs 30 that he was asking for.. But for me.. It’s much more than just a number..

Here Without You Baby...

This one's for Her.... Even though I might sound horrible, I know that my voice means the world to her.. As her voice means the world to me... :)