He deserves to be honoured

IN SEARCH of an elusive honour? It is sad but it is plain truth that the volleyball great from Hyderabad and former India captain T. Gopal was forced to list out the various achievements of his playing days for consideration of the prestigious `Lifetime Achievement' award in different disciplines, instituted by the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development.

The relevant documents are being forwarded to the Sports Authority of India, Volleyball Federation of India, Indian Olympic Association for necessary action.

Certainly, a chance for all those genuinely interested in honouring those who gave their heart out under trying circumstances.

From the way he was going through all the clippings of yesteryear, which are the only sweet companions of his memorable days, one thought a schoolboy was working on his homework.

The very fact that Gopal, who was rated as the most powerful spiker of his time, had to go through such rigmarole at the age of 60 is also perhaps a reflection of how quite a few champions of the past are roughly treated by a system. He is not even an Arjuna Awardee for various reasons while lesser mortals could get that award. Ironically, Gopal was nominated for the Arjuna Award by Mr. Arora, president of the Volleyball Federation of India, in 1963 - within three years after instituting the Award.

But subsequent electoral disputes between two factions in the Federation and then a legal battle kept his nomination in abeyance. So much so that no volleyballer was given that honour from 1964 to 74. A phase when his towering personality was at his best.

This epitome of perseverance went on to don the national colours thanks mainly to his intense preparations at a very young age when he used to practice 500 smashes in every session with his friend Ramesh Chandra acting as a `setter'. Old timers recall that he could hit the same spot with his smashes repeatedly. Such was his accuracy.

Coached by G. P. Balaram very early, Gopal soon developed into an awesome spiker, creating panic in the rival camp - the fear of getting hurt badly was always in the air everytime Gopal was in action. The 5ft. 11in. athletic figure played for Hyderabad at the age of 17 and in 13 Nationals. It is said the critics were never in doubt about his class and when he was a member of the silver medal winning Indian squad in the Jakarta Asiad in 1962 it didn't surprise many.

The crowning glory of his career was when he was asked to lead India in the five `Tests' against the visiting Russians in 1966 which paved the way for his captaincy in the Bangkok Asiad in 1966 where India settled for fourth place. The other highlight of his illustrious career was the bronze medal in the 1963 Pre- Olympics in which he played a key role.

He was a true all-rounder for he is also a qualified referee having officiated in the 1978 Commonwealth Games. If he had not strayed into volleyball, he would have been a successful athlete for he was a champion in 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m in the junior category.

The retired Superintendent of Police was roughly treated in his playing days. Just when he was hoping to be in the Indian team for the 1970 Asian Games after playing in all the `Tests' against Paris at home few days before the Inter-services championship in Jaipur, the selectors dropped a bombshell dropping him along with other seniors.

A decision which later provoked widespread disenchantment and subsequently even forced the withdrawal of the Indian team from the Asian Games. So, ill-treatment is nothing new to this dynamic sportsman who gave everything for the love of the sport.

Thus, when Mr. L. Venkatram Reddy, secretary of A.P. Volleyball Association, has taken Gopal's interest in forwarding Gopal's papers for considering that unique honour, it is only recognising the contribution of this star player of yesteryear and nothing else.

Will it turn out be a simple and happy case of better late than never or will Gopal be forced to sulk and regret for taking up a sport which was undoubtedly richer by his mere presence as huge crowds all over India turned up to have a glimpse of this man of real action.

Yet, irrespective of the likely course his appeal will take, Gopal has his heart and soul in the promotion of sport in the State and is willing to play his part in the preparations of the State teams for the National Games.

V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

Hyderabad

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