The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Railways gunning for a unique record

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 10, 2005

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Sport - Hockey

Railways gunning for a unique record

Kirti Patil

NEW DELHI: There is hardly much to choose in women's hockey. Railways has been a great employer, and it is good for the players.

But somehow, Railways' financial muscle and the stability it provides leave undue ripples on other teams, making a mockery of the National championships.

It is only those players who do not make it to the Railways team who play for their respective states. And, usually most of the states are always short of funds, though Haryana has been an exception.

At the 53rd National women's hockey championship, the storyline was hardly any different from all the previous years.

On verge of unique record

Railways has won the championship 19 years in a row and is on the verge of setting an unique record for any sport in India. And, after 12 days of long-winding league, Railways is just two matches from that dream.

The first is an easy hurdle. Railways play Jharkhand in the first semifinal on Sunday and on form, it should face no threat.

Young talent

Despite starting without key seasoned players — Indian captain Suraj Lata, strikers Surinder Kaur and Pritam Rani Siwach and defender Suman Bala — Railways has shown that it can survive with the young talent.

Star of India's Manchester Commonwealth Games triumph, Mamta Kharab, and striker Sanggai Ibemhal Chanu have been the defenders' nightmare. Though Jyoti Sunita Kullu has put on slight weight, she is always a threat in the circle. Kullu has been a top scorer for Railways with 12 goals while Mamta slotted home 11 followed by Sanggai (9) and Amrita Minz (6).

Spurred by skipper Sumrai Tete, Railways defence has been strong. While topping its pool ahead of Haryana, Railways scored 55 goals in six matches and allowed none to get past into its post.

This mere fact will unsettle any opponent. That India's first choice goalkeeper Helen Mary Innocent and her deputy, Dipika Murty, do duties in turn for Railways further underlines the depth in its defence.

Vibrant team

To some extent, Haryana has been able to fend off the challenges and emerge as a vibrant team with non-Railway players. After a long time India's starting line-up has a player — Jasjeet Kaur — who does not play for Railways. This is creditable in many senses given the absolute monopoly Railways exerted over the years.

Jasjeet, the drag-flick exponent, has been on and off, but goals have never eluded her. But for the match against Railways in which Jasjeet was sparingly used, she scored in all the league matches.

Jasjeet leads the top goal scorer's list with 16 goals followed jointly by Kamla Cheema and Sarvjeet Kaur, both having scored 12 goals. Kanu Priya scored seven while captain Simarjeet, made five goals but she has been an ideal playmaker.

All eyes on Mumbai

Though Railways won by a solitary goal against Haryana on Friday, the defending champion will watch with interest how Mumbai tackles Haryana in the second semifinal. Mumbai, virtually a second-string Railways team, will depend on defender Kanti Kujur and strikers Nishi Chauhan, Sadhna Singh and Paulina Surin.

Haryana is, however, unconcerned with what comprises Mumbai. "Either way we are going to win. Mumbai is hardly a team to be wary of,'' says the outspoken Haryana coach, Baldev Singh.

The final, in all probability, should be a clash between Railways and Haryana. Anything other than that can be passed over.

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