Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Striking it BIG in bowling
|
Bangalore is fast becoming a major centre for bowling in the country. The foreign coach, James Porter, sees great potential for the sport and commends KSTBA for its pioneering effort
|
James Porter, the bowling coach who has brought about a radical change in the sport.
BANGALORE COULD well become the World's hot spot in Bowling, feels James Porter. And though he had completed a four-month stint here, the foreign coach, hired by the Karnataka State Tenpin Bowling Association (KSTBA) to train National level players and develop the sport among the school and college students, sees immense potential among Bangaloreans.
"This is hub of bowling in India," said Porter and his presumptions were justified when all the six bowlers, who qualified for the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championship in Bangkok (from July 3 to 13) were from Bangalore, some of them brushing aside the strong challenges from Chennai and Mumbai based bowlers, to make the grade.
The big built Porter sure must have seen the quality that's available, for he did visit Chennai too every alternate fortnight to train the bowlers there.
"There is a big difference. In regard to talent base and the infrastructure available... by any standards Bangalore is streets ahead," admits the coach and he knows his business having been associated with the sport for over 40 years — both as a professional bowler and then taking on the acumen of imparting his vast knowledge to the bowlers from Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong as National coach before coming down to India at the behest of the KSTBA.
"KSTBA is doing wonderfully well... a yeomen service to the promotion of the sport in its own way with the Chennai unit following closely in its footsteps. Sadly, what I gather is that the other centres, barring Mumbai, are dying. Centres in Hyderabad and Delhi are closing down and this has had a marked effect on the quality or talent that is coming from these places. Chennai has to improve upon its infrastructure. It has just two four-lane centres, one seven-lane one that is inadequate and the only one of some class (eight lanes), but it is way out of the city, causing other related problems, will not help the bowlers or the game... .that's why I feel Bangalore has a definite advantage over the others. Bangalore bowlers, the likes of internationals, Sethu Madhavan and Dr. Ajay Singh besides the fast improving but unpredictable current Open Champion Shashi Kumar and a couple of others have it in them to break into the big league. But that will happen only with proper exposure and quality opposition," feels Porter.
The genial giant thatPorter is, he has brought about a sea change in the outlook of the players. Traditional "spin" bowlers Ajay Singh and Sethu Madhavan will be switching over to the internationally acclaimed "hook" bowling soon. That transition is a must for making an impact on the world stage. And to master the switch would take anything from six to nine months.
Porter who was initially "hired" for a three-month period has however won over the followers of the game here with his appeal and selfless commitment. Having nurtured a 13-year-old Malaysian girl into a world champion material, Porter does know his stuff and it is for the bowlers interested in making it big league will have to catch up on the inputs with dedication and discipline. "Like the Karnataka Open, held recently, was the basis of selecting the Indian men and women's team for the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championship at Bangkok, I have suggested a Bangalore Open and probably a South Indian Open in the next four to five months to provide the required competitive edge to the national players," said Porter, who in his own words is wedded to the sport.
Sabena, winner of Karnataka Open Tenpin Bowling Championship 2004
KSTBA on its part has accepted and adapted Porter's instructions and system to the "T".
"This sport is foreign and based on science," said R. Kannan, the enigmatic KSTBA secretary. "And the application of the techniques learnt on the different lanes (the conditions could vary from lane to lane in one centre even) is vital... and this is where the men and the boys fall apart. And to this regard the contribution of Porter has been invaluable," said Kannan, sounding obviously optimistic about the sport making it big, in India in a few years from now.
Besides the technical inputs the coach has done more than his bit with his global contacts to avail modern and basic equipments in regard to kit and individually-designed balls, which is mandatory when one ventures into the big league.
KSTBA having extended coach Porter's contract (from the original three months to six months), causing a big pinch in its pocket, could be furthered by four months more if the "logistics" fall in place. "Ideally we might offer him a contract till the end of January 2005, but again everything is based on certain fulfilments," said Kannan.
KSTBA has ambitious plans of taking the game to the schools and college levels and this could be achieved if Porter's stay is extended. On his return Porter besides guiding the fortunes of the senior bowlers will also be out coaching and imparting his knowledge to the school children. "After a three-week long training there will be a talent spotting hunt which will enable us to look at the quality from the expected quantity and the coach can then train them for higher levels," feels the KSTBA secretary.
"Ideally if we have the numbers we can possibly look at about five tournaments in the under-14 and under-18 sections, each for exposure sake. And then along with the newly introduced Karnataka Open, the KSTBA have been conducting the three leagues, the Masters and the Karnataka State championships. This is besides the Nationals conducted last year. This year too with Mumbai unable to organise the nationals as scheduled in June, the onus is on us to conduct it in early September. All this can be done with a degree of comfort if some sponsors come forward," added Kannan.
Bangalore, with the 12-lane Amoeba Bowling Centre, in the heart of the city, and the Star City Bowling Centre, catering to the demands of the professionals and the beginners alike, is the happening place for bowling ... and the cause can be improved upon with a good sponsor support. Are they reading?
AVINASH NAIR
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
