American coach optimistic about Indian basketball

VISITING SPORTSMEN and coaches have been wonder struck by the tremendous passion people have for cricket in India. American basketball coach Eric J. Rowell too found it difficult to ignore the phenomenon but does not think that India is a one- sport country.

``Basketball is growing in this country,'' said Eric and sounded more optimistic than some of the sceptical officials who blame cricket for the mess the game is in.

``Make the game appealing to kids so that they start playing basketball instead of cricket,'' was his message to the basketball officials of the country. Eric J.Rowell came to India recently as YMCA of USA's World Fellow to train school children. For six months he conducted coaching clinics in schools in different parts of the country and he found that the enthusiasm among kids varied from State to State. ``The game is more popular in South India. I was surprised when kids in Kerala came and told me that they love basketball more than cricket,'' he said.

More than coaching it was his love for travelling that prompted Eric to apply for a job when YMCA of the United States advertised for a coach to train school children in India. As a player, Rowell represented Augustana University in the NCAA League for four years. But he was realistic about his future as a basketball player when it occurred to him that his six foot three inch frame was too short by NBA standards.

Rowell decided to concentrate on his studies and took a bachelor's degree in management and marketing. But he found it difficult to disassociate himself from the game completely and found coaching to be the best way of staying in touch with the game. During his stay in India, Eric and his wife Amy, who is a swimming instructor, travelled the length and breadth of the country. And what struck them both was the obsession towards cricket by the Indian public in general.

Before coming to India, Eric had never seen a cricket match nor had heard about it but now he knows about Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly and understands a bit of the game. ``The passion for cricket in India is the same as that the Americans have for basketball or baseball. While driving up and down the country I could see kids playing only cricket. The same is the case with basketball back home. Every kid in downtown centre plays this game. Their heroes are NBA stars and they see them in action every day on the television. The game is popular in the United States because of its wide coverage on TV. Moreover, the game is more organised in the United States and infrastructure wise we are at the top. You will find a basketball court in every park in the U.S. Whereas, in India some schools don't even have a basketball court. Things should change here for the better,'' he said.

Coming from a land which has produced greats like Micheal Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlin, Larry Bird among others, the 30- year-old is convinced that there is lot of talent in India. But unlike in the U.S. where the system produces top quality basketballers at all levels, organisation of the game in India leaves a lot to be desired, he felt.

``The absence of a well co-ordinated youth programme to nurture talent is conspicuous. Top priority should be given to nurture talent from a very young age. In the U.S. the initiation into the game is done fairly early. Kids start playing the game when they are big enough to hold a basketball. We let the kids enjoy the game and always tell parents not to push their children. Once you push your kid, he is bound to lose interest in the game and will treat basketball as a school lesson. To get maximum out of a youngster you should let him enjoy the game till he is big enough to learn the technicalities.'' .

Eric says the NBA, NCAA, WNBA and High School competitions are all equally competitive and get good coverage in the American media. The ultimate aim of any hoopster is to play in the NBA league but only a few succeed in achieving it, he says. ``The NBA league is very tough. It is highly competitive and only the very best, numbering around 360 play in it. Every year on an average, only 60 best players out of nearly 8,000 from the NCAA league get an opportunity to figure in the NBA league. So you have to be exceptionally good to play in the NBA. There are many professional leagues in the U.S. but the most popular one is the NBA. The NCAA is equally competitive. The college players give their best shot with the hope that they can make it big. But ultimately only a small percent make the cut.''

India's record at international level is nothing much to crow about. Probably the only time basketball makes headlines is when India wins the odd gold at SAF Games that too against feeble opponents. Though he had only limited opportunities to watch senior players in action, Eric felt the Indians generally lacked in skill and played the game too softly unlike in the U.S. where the game is fast and really tough. ``Indians make elementary mistakes in shooting and dribbling. That is because they don't work on their game. To improve, you have to practise hard. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson must have sweated hours on the court practising those difficult shots,'' he said.

Eric was overwhelmed with the response he had at his camp. In Thiruvananthapuram, his three-day clinic attracted more than 300 school children. ``The big turnout shows that there is still a lot of interest among kids in the game. But there should be a continuity in the training programme. The kids should not forget the game once they go back to school after vacation. Sports should be made part of school curriculum. I guess sports is not given much importance here,'' he said.

Was he being too nice when he said, the game is growing in India. ``No, I mean it the game will thrive if it can enter the conscience of the youngsters. But it should be attractive enough for them to make a career out of basketball. I also feel that there should be a lot of publicity for the game if basketball is to grow in India. It is up to the Basketball Federation of India and other promoters of the game to induct a passion among public especially youngsters,'' the coach concluded.

M. R. PRAVEEN CHANDRAN

Thiruvananthapuram

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