Why Cricket isn't an Olympic sport

As a top cricketing Nation, it’s quite natural that we wish to see the game included in Olympics. But it doesn’t seem to materialize in the near future. Most of you would be cursing the IOC for not permitting it. But how many actually know that ICC has never bid for its inclusion since the game's ouster a century ago?

A few binding reasons for Cricket not being a part of Olympics are listed below :

• An Isolated sport: The game is played at the international level by only around 20 out of 300 odd Olympic Nations. Though other countries may be interested in it, they lack proper governing bodies like the BCCI for India.

• Long Duration: A one day international match usually takes 8 hours to finish. As the name suggests, a match will virtually a take day away. Hence, the ground needs to be reserved for one game a day.

• ‘Anti-Olympic’ sport: Some are for the removal of games like Football and Baseball because they are against the 'Olympic spirit' as all the players of a winning team need not play well. The same logic approves to Cricket as well. And for this reason, Baseball has lost its place in the next Olympics.

• Lack of Infra Structure: Most of the Olympic nations don’t have a proper cricket stadium. The hosts have to build a new one, meeting international standards which will be a huge unnecessary expenditure for a non-cricketing nation.

• Too Famous for Olympics: Cricket already being a famous sport will take away the viewers’ interest from other games in Olympics. Thus the other most popular sport Football is included as an under 23 event with the exception of 3 over-age players.

The famous Jamaican Olympian, Linford Christie had this to say when asked why was he against Cricket's inclusion:

"Not just Cricket, I am also against the inclusion of Tennis and Baseball. Olympics is the greatest stage of them all, you just can't diminish its value. An athlete should reach the pinnacle of his sporting career at the olympics. But names like Federer, Nadal, Bryant, LeBron James... They are already superstars, is there anything left for them to achieve at the Olympics?"

True, isn't it?? Though a few may argue that adding glory of their country is the greatest achievement, winning wold cups and Grandslams are always considered bigger than an olympic gold medal.

With the advent of T-20 games, ICC can go for some serious bidding for an Olympic slot. But with the other sporting bodies looking to remove the Olympic sports of the same genre, chances
of Cricket’s inclusion looks very slim.

At the hindsight, we want its inclusion just to add another medal to our kitty, isn't it? Why don't we nurture other sports rather than riding the back of IOC for its inclusion.

Anyhow, we always have the World Cups to look forward to !!!

The Nanganallur Premier League

The Nanganallur Premier League (NPL) requires no introduction. It’s one of the most famous tennis ball cricket leagues in South Chennai, which I am proud to be a part of.
For those who are new to South Chennai, please visit:
Official NPL website
Official NPL orkut community

This is a-la Chennai 600028 introduction of the present and past players of the league:

Current players:

Vikram:
First things first. He is the proud owner of NPL Community in Orkut. He is an enthusiastic player whose sms pleading us to come to the ground on time, acts as a wake-up-alarm for all of us in the mornings. Such is his desire to play. A good pace bowler who loves to hit the deck and a decent batsman who is an exponent in taking quick singles. He is one of the most sought after player in the league. His Achilles heels is his captaincy skills. Never does he dominate the proceedings even though he has been a captain in a record number of games.

Hariharan:
He’s a Master blaster when on song. He loves to hit the ball out of the park. Doesn’t mind to get out in that attempt. “Hit or get out” is his motto. But more often than not, he has to be contended with the latter. “Right arm very very fast”, he announces while coming to bowl. And bowls astonishingly slow medium pace. For, his run-up is too short for speedy balls. The most laziest when it comes to running (which he owes to his ‘injured’ foot). He is a good thinker of the game. But never really implements it on field.

UK:
His house is the Den of NPL-ites. He may seem too bulky for cricket but he proves you wrong many times. A good batsman. Loves to eat up balls with defensive strokes. Given a chance, he’ll stay at the crease forever. Yet, at times ,he loses his temper only to his own undoing. One can’t expect him to field athletically. yet he’s an average Keeper. And like Dada, he’s known more for his captaincy than his individual display.

Ramanathan @ Ramsundar:
One of the best fast bowlers NPL has ever witnessed. He defies the ‘only-tall-guys-can-bowl-fast’ logic with pretty good pace. Of late, he has chosen to cut down his pace to strengthen his line & length and it is paying good dividends. A fine batsman who loves to bat as low as possible only to finish off the overs with smart shots.

PK:
This six-plus footer gives one an impression of a fiery fast bowler. But the way he bowls the slow dollies has earned him the tag of “easiest bowler to face” which he shares with UK. But when it comes to batting, he has the ability to hit even a bouncer out of the maidaans. Though critics denounce his credentials as a one-shot wonder, I personally feel he is little underrated.

Jagan:
He started his NPL career as a mediocre cricketer. But experience has done him a world of good. He has added a good range of strokes to his kitty. And while he’s at the crease, strike rotates at a healthy rate. And he’s also one of the most experienced wicket keepers in NPL.

Shantharam:
The most energetic player in the list. Always gives more than hundred percent in whatever role he plays. A devastating Opening batsman who doesn’t mind even to bat in the tail. A wannabe fast bowler, but doesn’t get enough opportunities to realize it. Easily, one of the greatest fielders in NPL history.

Manoj(Panimalar):
An athletic fielder, attacking batsman and a good utility bowler who can bowl fast as well as spin according to the needs of the situation.

KNV:
He’s one of the rare full-time spinners in NPL who has an uncanny knack of picking up wickets. His rise as a bowler is one of the top success stories in NPL. A solid defensive batsman as well.

Natesan:

A dedicated cricketer. A good hitter of the tennis ball. He clears the boundary at will. A more than average bowler as well who keeps the batsman at check with his sharp bowling. A good catcher too.

Srinath:
An all rounder in the truest sense. A solid left handed batsman who always keeps a price for his wicket. A good McGrath-ish bowler who frustrates the batsmen with his impeccable pitch map. And his fielding is an added advantage. plucks catches out of thin air. Another MVP.

Prashanth:
Tries to dominate the bowlers with his thumping straight sixes, and succeeds 99:1 times. Has a wide range of strokes which he rarely uses. A good pace bowler with an extra-ordinary short run-up. A reliable outfielder too. But he’s a Yuvraj-ish happy-go-lucky type guy with doubts over his dedication towards the game hovering over at times.

Venkatraman:
This big man is a good bowler who uses his height and muscle to a good measure. He’s no mug with the bat too. On the whole, a Good team player.

I,me,Myself:
I don’t want to analyze myself. I leave it to the readers rather, to comment on me.


NPL’s hall of fame:

In tribute to the distinguishable, unforgettable cricketers to have served it in the past..
An agonizingly long list of stalwarts:

Subra: Hung up his canvas shoes owing to his joining at CTS. One of the most popular players ever to have featured in the league.
Raja gopal & Vinoth: The duo retired from limited overs cricket recently. They are available for test.
Sriram & Senthilappan: The US bound MS aspirants have left NPL with a promise to glorify it in the West.
Ciberaj: Another captain material left NPL to join Company.
PSR: This timid cricketer lost interest in the game just when his career was on a rise.
Manoj(Velammal): Too busy with other activities these days.
Sudharshan: NPL misses this deadly bowler. He’s reportedly started his Engineering career in Delhi.
Ravi Prasadh: Another master all rounder lost to company.
Akilesh: NPL’s loss is Oracle’s gain.
Ravi Ashwin: left us to pursue his career ambitions.
Santhosh: Erikkson beckoned this never-say-die champ.

Guest Appearances:

These guys make special appearances at times to elevate the standards of NPL:

Aravindan: This Online-maniac makes his presence felt once in a blue moon.
MNM Ramanathan: A gifted all rounder with ample leadership qualities.

(The above two used to contribute immensely some time back. They can stage a comeback anytime. So, they are not added to the list of past players)
Rangarajan: A Cool customer.
Srinath: Technically sound player.
Raja Raghavan: His high spirits never die.
Sunil & Chromepet Guys: Too little appearances so far to comment on. Hope I can write on them sooner than later.


In case I’ve failed to recognize anyone who is serving/have served NPL, please forgive me. I would like my fellow-NPLites to add those names in the comments section.

So, who's the winner of Beijing 2008???

Beijing 2008 has by far been one of the best olympics in modern era. So fascinating has been its opening ceremony deemed by many as the greatest ever; So remarkable has been the performances of the athletes with all the Champs living above expectations, Phelps & Bolt turning out to be the chartbusters; Beijing 2008 has so far registered the greatest number of world records in history.. and many more to its credit... Kudos to the organizers and athletes !!!

With just a day and four finals to go, the medals tally is topped by the hosts (47 G, 17 S, 25 B = 89 T) and the USA (31 G, 36 S, 35 B = 102 T) and would remain so in all probability.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CURRENT STANDINGS

Now, while China leads the standings according to the International Olympic Committee, the US media are adamant in displaying it's country on top. So, where comes the discrepancy???
While IOC follows the order of the number of gold medals won (which China leads by a good margin), the USA is way ahead in terms of total medals won..In fact it is the only country to notch up the three figure mark. The problem in crowning the real Numero Uno arises because the IOC hasn't instituted any guidelines for the standings as there is no official recognition for the toppers.

But, it has been a tradition to hail the topper in the media and people alike. The US media has come under fire for 'maniulating' the tally to project their country as the leader. But the Russians have no complaints because they move ahead of the Great Britain whom they lag by a solitary gold medal.

With due respects to the Chinese athletes for the stunning performances, they themselves are not free from the 'manipulator's' tag. It started with a little girl miming a recorded song during the opening ceremony with the latest being the real age of the double gold medalist, He Kexin. Allegations are ripe over her age that she is just 14 years old and that the Chinese Olympic association had changed it to 16 years so that she can pass the age barrier to participate in Gymnastics.

And personally, I don't think it is completely fair to follow the standings according to the number of gold medals won. It doesn't give any recognition to the contribution of hudreds of silver & bronze winning athletes. I, for once, would like to go by the standings projected by the US. Am I unbiased??? or am I supporting this just because India stands to gain by it?? (It jumps to 38th position from 46th..) :)

So, Who is the real winner??? The US or China??? Comments are welcome!!!

Chennai 369

Happy Birthday Madras@Chennai !!!

Chennai has turned 369 years old today. Surprisingly, the event has been a low key affair, falling short of recognition even from sms maniacs of the city who chose to continue describing Actor Vijay’s exploits at Beijing. :)

Anyway, as a Chennaite, it is my duty to pen this occasion.

369 is a magic number in itself. (3+6=9). Let’s hope this year will be a magical one for all of us. Sentiments apart, it is indeed a huge achievement for any city to survive this grueling test of time.

The city has witnessed four centuries. On this day in 1639, British Administrator Francis Day is believed to have received the grant for construction of Madraspatam as it was referred then by the British.

Many historians have written about the city. But there was no unanimity in the reason they gave for its name ‘Madras’ with the most popular and ironically, the most irritating version being of a visiting British Royal naming it so, ridiculing the behavior of one of its citizens whom he called a ‘Mad Rascal’.. Very annoying, isn’t it??

Thank god it was renamed as Chennai by the tamizh conscious Karunanidhi government in 1997.

The amount of change the city has seen in fifty odd years is there for all of us to see, thanks to the classic “Madras, nalla Madras” song. One can imagine how much change it would’ve been through over 4 centuries.

(Pic-> From top: Central Railway Station 1925, Mount Road 1925, Mylapore 1906, Napier Bridge 1895)

One of the main reasons for its endurance is it’s accessibility through sea and closeness to Sri Lanka which enabled easy trade and commutation.

Barring the most polluted river in its kitty, the city has always been on the road to development. I wish it all success in the days, years, decades, centuries, and maybe, millenniums to come.. Hail Chennai!!!

Creating Fake Magazine Covers

This is the latest sensation to hit the wannabes.. It has hit me atleast..
For all those aiming to star on the covers of popular magazines, here is the short cut..

To star on the covers, you

• need not win a medal at Olympics
• need not be George Bush or Obama
  
• need not be a billionaire
• need not be a damsel
• need not be Mr.Universe
• need not be an exotic geographic location
• need not belong to Al-Queeda/LeT/Hizbul Mujahideen
  

All you've to do is to upload your photo in any of the following sites:

• www.fakemagazinecover.com/
• www.magmypic.com/
• http://www.nakorica.com/
• www.pimp-pic.com/

And just choose from hundreds of popular magazines on whose cover your photo needs to be.
As simple as that..
Get going!!!
I've already got going!!! Vrooooooooooooom.....

Dasavataram and the theory of Evolution!!!

Prelude:

Hey.. I am not a cine buff and it's got nothing to do with either Kamal Hassan or the Butterfly theory!

I am of a deep belief that all the so called 'myths' & ‘superstitions’ that have been legacies of our ancestors, have an abstract meaning for us to comprehend.
Good thoughts like ‘Truth triumphs’, ‘Good defeats the bad’, ‘Hardwork bears the best fruits’ and many noble qualities were showcased by Gods during their avatars.
But are the above the only things they teach us??? I guess there is more into it.
I've always been fascinated by the voluminous Hindu mythology right from my childhood when my grandma used to tell bed time stories. My favourite among those were the Dasavataram of Lord Vishnu. I used to simply love the idols of the ten avatars on display at Kolu during Navarathris (Again.. It’s not the film I am talking about!!).
And, as years went by, I came across the Darwinian Theory of Evolution. And I was amazed by this gentleman’s great vision of the past and the future. Though science wasn’t among my favourites, this particular theory had quite an impact on me.

And it was during my early college life that I found something really interesting. We used to chit chat a lot in our Hostel as there were no other sources of recreation. And on a particular day, we started to discus about the evolution of man. A guy (who happened to be an atheist) started to bring Darwin’s theory into picture in his protest against the myths saying there can’t be any avtars if man has evolved from a monkey and blah blah…. Though his main target that point of time was Christianity as he was challenging the concept of ‘the forbidden apple’ with the Darwinian theory, I couldn’t stand that as a Believer of God.
The burning desire to outwit him made me think hard like never before.. And man.. What a discovery it was!!! I got hold of a wonderful connection between evolution and Dasavataram out of nowhere…

Darwin’s theory in brief:

Life originated in water… Then creatures started adapting gradually to the shores.. and gave way to amphibians.. Then came the land animals. And from then evolved humans... Darwin puts a never ending comma on the future saying life will get destroyed along with the planet and may start all over again on another place under favorable circumstances!

And this has a definite connection with the ten Avatars of Vishnu…

As we all know, the avtars in chronological order are:

1. Matsya : A Fish indicating that life originated in water.

2. Kurma: A turtle(amphibian) indicating the movement towards land.

3. Varaaha: A Boar indicating evolution into a Land animal.

4. Narasimha: A half Human-half animal creature indicating the intermediate stages of evolution of man from animal.

5. Vaamana: A dwarf indicating the completed evolution of man from animal.

6. Parasurama: The ferocious warrior indicating the primitive man’s temper.

7. Raama: The ideal human with all the qualities considered to be ideal. This avtar indicates the early stages of civilized man who strictly followed the law of their land and led highly principled life.


8.&9. Krishna & Balarama: These avtars bring into picture the different ideologies of good persons. Though Krishna & Balarama were brothers, they had difference of opinion on certain cases. Yet they lived amicably. This showcases the medieval era where different dynasties with different ideologies co-existed.
(And a good friend of mine put a better thory saying Balarama( the elder one) represents the period when man turned to farming from hunting. Balarama in fact carries a plough to signify it. And Krishna (the younger one) represents the period of the thinking man with his crafty weapons like the Chakra signifying it.)

10. Kalki: He is believed to appear at the end of kali yug in 427,000 years time when a great destruction of earth will take place according to the Garuda Puraanam. This avatar indicates the near future when people might have to fight against many stigmas like the spread of deadly diseases, drying up of resources, international wars, terrorism, Nuclear Weapons, etc.

This is where Darwin loses hope on humans and says the end to the world is inevitable. But “cometh the hour, commeth the man (Kalki)” says the Puraanas.

We only have to wait and watch!!!

(It was shocking to check out later that the connection between Dasavataram and Darwinian Theory was already under research for many years. And I definitely wasn’t the first one to discover it. So sad na…. )