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Sailing solo
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With 20 years of experience in sailing, C.S. Pradipak is the acknowledged authority on the sport, and he's more committed than ever to popularise sailing in the State, writes V.V.SUBRAHMANYAM.
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SETTING SAIL: The SAAP sailing academy project is close to C.S. Pradipak's heart.
HE WAS a qualified pilot. Yet, his affinity for the water lured him into sailing. He disposed off his rifle and bought a boat that cost him Rs.14,000 in 1978. The 57-year-old, Arjuna Awardee C.S. Pradipak is an acknowledged authority on the sport. Though it is plain truth that not many who run the sport involve him in a befitting manner. But for a change, L.V.Subrahmanyam, vice-chairman and managing director of SAAP, seemed to have found the right person to realise his dream of setting up an international standard sailing academy in Vizag. "The whole objective is to see that the vast coastline in Vizag is used judiciously for water sports as the experts feel that the climatic conditions resemble a mix of the Australian and the European weather. Initially, the focus will be on preparing the venue for the 2002 National Games and then ensure that the facilities set up there will be useful for the budding and the established sailors for their future endeavour,'' he explained.
For Pradipak, this involvement in a project so dear to his heart should be a welcome change. He is better known in sailing circles to fight for a cause and promote the sport.For someone who was a competitive sailor for 20 years from 1972, this articulate gentleman, who is also an international judge now, struggled with the nitty-gritty of the sport. Sailing was not all that competitive then, he says. Competition was mostly between his friend and training partner Sanjeev Sidhu and himself. Those were the days when club sailing was more serious and on the sailing days, the first few sailors to arrive at the Secunderabad Club were lucky to pick a boat in the first batch itself. Now, the emphasis is on owning a boat, he says. Still, there were occasions when Pradipak managed 82 races with Sidhu and Pillay of the Army in one season alone to master the sport to be a different customer in international circuit.
It is an amazing feature that Hyderabad, despite being a regular venue on the national calendar, never had a qualified coach out there in the waters. Consequently, not many youngsters were lured to the sport. It is an indisputable fact that over the years the system, virtually ensured that water sports was mostly confined to the Army and the Navy personnel. "The need of the hour is private, open sailing clubs for the civilians,'' says Pradipak, winner of three OK Dinghy and two Laser national titles. He recalls that India missed a berth in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as the national federation didn't bother to communicate with the organisers about fielding an entry. There is an avoidable shroud of secrecy about water sports in India, he feels.
Essentially, the 1981 Asian Regatta gold medallist feels that the sailing culture should be created first and more importantly the benefits for being a successful sailor be widely publicised. What are the basic qualities to be a good sailor? "One has to be really rich (says jocularly). One has to be good in meteorology, read the weather to perfection, look at the winds accurately, to analyse what course he should opt for on a given day and most importantly tune the boat for the desired results,'' he explains. The secret behind a successful sailor lies in his ability to hiking out for longer periods and it cannot be achieved overnight. This gentleman with the indefatigable spirit and a regular in all the international events as a member of the jury feels the time has come for a more scientific and artistic coaching pattern in sailing.
``Generally, the sailors should be expected to work out their own solutions in a given crisis and not look for text-book format of coaching,'' he emphasises. "This is where I firmly believe that the SAAP sailing academy in Vizag will change the face of the sport at least in the State. We are putting so much of efforts and planning to make it a real success in the long run,'' says Pradipak."It is really heartening that the State Government is spending so much on sports and announced so many incentives, especially for the 2002 National Games. And importantly, all the boats for the Sailing Academy have arrived and awaiting Customs Department clearance. In the coming days, the onus will be on the sailors for they will not be found for wanting on any front. All the facilities are being provided. I only wish the various schemes are widely publicised," the 1982 Asiad silver medallist observed.
For a variety of reasons, Pradipak's life may well reflect the state of affairs of Indian sport where the deserving are rarely given their due. Yet, hope is the key element for this Hyderabadi's undying spirit and passion for the sport. He is optimistic that like the 1989 Arjuna Award, which he felt came when he thought everyone had forgotten him, he might get fresh lease of exuberance before finally saying goodbye to the sport once for all.
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