Out of tune with reality

TO ENSURE India remains among the top three teams of the world in the next five years. How? No one knows!

To prepare a team capable of winning World Cup 2003. How? Again no one knows!

Quite ambitious projects, these two are, but out of tune with reality. The Vision Report, prepared by the Board as part of its image- building exercise following the match-fixing and betting scandal, promises a lot but lacks substance and depth to achieve the projected targets.The author of the Vision Report has taken care to accommodate as many suggestions as possible that came from well meaning officials but the entire effort is unconvincing. To begin with, we do not know who are the architects of such a `fabulous' programme which aims at bringing about a revolution in Indian cricket.

``It is nothing but an eyewash'' remarked former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, who has always maintained that unless the Board involved cricketers in major matters relating to the conduct of the game the situation shall not improve. ``I shudder to think what would be the fate of Indian cricket five years from now if we continue to have unprofessional men in charge'' he said on the current state of affairs.

Vengsarkar was amused at the contents of the Vision Report. ``Do not believe it'' he was candid and added ``what the Board intends and what it states are two different aspects. It never means what it says and I say this from experience. We are wasting our time.''

The Vision Report deals with various subjects and the most significant involves strategic planning. ``Everything is half baked. From the National Cricket Academy to the Pitches and Grounds Committee to the Selection Committee. Everything is half baked. It is all paper work and not much will come out of it. Where is the vision when you have such an important report being prepared without the involvement of the cricketers. We don't even know who are the brains behind it'' Vengsarkar had a logical argument.

The Vision Report was forced upon the cricketing fraternity because the Government expressed concern at the rapid deterioration in the Indian team's showing in the last two years and the Board, to save its skin, had to find a way out.

``I have asked them to tell us what steps they are planning to improve the standard of cricket in India'' disclosed Sports Minister, Mr. S. S. Dhindsa after a meeting with the Board officials and some top cricketers. Hence the birth of this Vision Report.Left to Vengsarkar, the first thing to concentrate on would be a complete overhaul of the administrative set up. ``Why do we have the same officials year after year. Once they complete their terms, they should be out of the system for a minimum of two years so that new faces can come in and with them some new ideas. But sadly our programmes and plans are vote- oriented. Which association should be favoured for an international match and who should be accommodated as the manager for a foreign trip are the priorities. Who has the time to implement the right things. This Vision Report, if implemented, will be a great feat, I would say'' Vengsarkar continued.Many would agree with Vengsarkar. The Board revels in engaging officials with little cricket background, the latest being a television journalist who made his presence known at the presentation of the Vision Report. None of us knew in what capacity he was present though! Arun Lal, who had presented a paper for an interesting league between the cities of India a couple of years ago, was critical of the Vision Report. His objection was to the complete lack of imagination in strengthening the structure of domestic cricket.

``What good is this Vision Report if it does not talk of domestic cricket'' asks Arun Lal, who was instrumental in introducing fresh ideas in the Bengal dressing room and inspiring the side to a Ranji Trophy triumph.

Arun Lal shared his views candidly. ``I am not trying to be critical for the sake of it, but you can achieve nothing by just letting your imagination run wild. I think the Vision Report lacks proper focus'' he said.

The success ratio of the Indian team has plummeted to shocking depths, what with the talent flow drying up. The bench strength of Indian team is shockingly bare and this is the area which the Board should have deeply concentrated on while preparing the Vision Report.

Arun Lal explained ``we need to look at our domestic cricket. It has become meaningless. We have to find ways of marketing our domestic cricket. It should be made popular and should attract the kind of following the NBA league has. It is possible to achieve provided there are sincere people at work and not people with little knowledge of the game.'' Talking of vision, Arun Lal pointed out there was an immediate need to recognise the value of domestic cricket. ``My vision would be to make our domestic cricket the best in the world. Today, Australia has the best domestic structure in the world and it is no surprise it dominates world cricket. I would aim to better that and I would like to concentrate on that area. People in the Board have little idea on how to raise funds for domestic cricket and there is no central theme to improve the state and image of the game. It is all haphazard and I am not inspired by this Vision Report'' Arun Lal was blunt but on target. The Vision Report talks of action plan for the future and the details in this chapter include setting up of National Coaching Academy; creation of a web-site for the Board; introduction of video feedback system (a commercial project promoted by a Karnataka cricketer); payment of fees on the basis of player's performance. One has heard all this in the past.

Not much planning has gone into the Vision Report. It appears a quick job essentially enacted to please the Government. There is clearly no involvement of professional cricketers and the ambitious plans will require massive financial backing. The Board claims to have spent a substantial amount on coaching programmes for juniors in the past five years and one would like to know the budget set aside for the coming season. The lack of modern infrastructure is glaring and it is this area which the Board needs to improve, not to mention the involvement of dedicated officials.

The misplaced priorities are reflected in the lofty ideas of having a cricket museum which is projected in the chapter as an institution par excellence. All big talk by a set of officials who have, in any case, a poor sense of history. They clamoured to attract attention at the Vision Report presentation but none of them found time to pay homage in person to a legend called Lala Amarnath. The Board was known to be callous when dealing with cricketers but to this extent was indeed shocking.

VIJAY LOKAPALLY

New Delhi

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