Triumph and Trauma of a Coach
M. K. Kaushik with K. Arumugam
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Dhanraj The
| The provoked Dhanraj slapped the
attendant. At this, the entire Class IV employees in the camp abandoned their
jobs. All the SAI residents were kept waiting for their dinner. They demanded
an apology from Dhanraj.
With great difficulty, I managed to convince Dhanraj to offer them an apology. He obliged. Dhanraj did not take food that night. I too was shaken to eat properly. The whole drama lasted four hours before fading |
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hen
Dhanraj is around, nothing is uneventful. He is the most visible player both on
and off the field. He is dynamic, but he also has a habit of instantly reacting
to events. He also gives an impression that he is over-bearing in attitude and
proud in character.
The minute he landed in the national camp, there were turmoil. On the first day of the camp itself, while one set of players was practising, the mischievous Baljeet Dhillon and Baljeet Saini provoked Dhanraj in asking why tea was not yet served. They knew Dhanraj's susceptibilities, and he fell into their trap readily.
Dhanraj angrily walked up to me and said, "Don't we deserve a cup of tea. Is this a national camp or what?" I did not like his tone. I calmly told him that arrangements had already been made but I did not know why the person serving tea did not turn up yet.
Dhanraj was not in a listening mood and said, "I am not attending the camp. I am going back." He packed his kit and started moving away from the ground. He expected that I would request him not to do so, but I maintained a studied silence. Panic stricken Dhillon, Saini and Ramandeep asked Dhanraj not to take this step. I fired them. "Sit down. Nobody will talk to him."
At this moment, SAI executive director Ganesh reached the ground for an informal visit. Dhanraj repeated to him what he had told me earlier.
Keeping extraordinarily cool, Ganesh asked Dhanraj to adjust, explaining that such small lapses do occur in the beginning despite our planning and efforts. Assistant coach Negi too chipped in, "What will you say to the nation for abandoning the camp - that you were not getting tea?"
It struck a responsive chord in Dhanraj. He not only relented, but was also regretful of his extreme reaction. We did not continue practice that day. Instead, we sat together and had a heart-to-heart discussion. We eventually returned to our rooms as if nothing had happened.
Another incident occurred after an evening session. Dhanraj asked for a glass of water from a kitchen attendant who was engaged in cleaning vessels. The attendant did not provide it immediately.
The provoked Dhanraj fumed, "You don't know me. You don't know who you are talking to. I am the captain of the Indian team." Still the fellow did not heed him. Dhanraj slapped him. That was the last straw. The entire Class IV employees in the camp abandoned their jobs.
It was dinner time, and all the SAI residents - volleyball players, NIS course trainees, Centre of Excellence hockey boys - were kept waiting. Hours lapsed, and there was no sign of the employees returning to the kitchen.
They demanded an apology from Dhanraj, who refused. I tried to pacify them, and offered an apology. Still the tempers did not cool. With great difficulty, I managed to convince Dhanraj to offer them an apology. He obliged.
Dhanraj did not take food that night. I too was shaken to eat properly. The whole drama lasted four hours before fading.
Another incident took place, this time on the field. We were playing a match against the SAI hostel team. In the first half, their full-back played very physical. Dhanraj sustained a few nasty blows. Defenders always resort to such tactics to upset the rhythm of the forwards and make them lose their cool.
Dhanraj fell into the trap totally. Both shouted at each other, started fighting and exchanged blows. The match was stopped. I pulled out Dhanraj from the game. Even as he was coming out, Dhanraj shouted at the umpire, "That fellow was pasting me and you don't do anything. What kind of umpire are you?"
Executive director Ganesh came down from the gallery and gave Dhanraj a firing, "What kind of game are you playing? This is bullshit hockey. As captain of the side, you are supposed to keep a cool head and advise the others. Is this what you have learnt from us? I feel ashamed to call you my boy. Control yourself. Behave yourself."
Dhanraj did not say anything but started crying. I consoled him. He said sorry to me and Ganesh. The game went on without him being fielded in the entire second half.
It would not have taken much effort to get Dhanraj thrown out of the camp on any of the above incidents. However, all those incidents became non-events because they were treated as such. I administered a dose of magnanimity to Dhanraj, instead of condemning him.
He responded in great style - he would give us 10 goals in a month's time in the Asian Games. Only those very close to Dhanraj can understand the heart in him. He will always stand by his words. He will be the last person to ditch you.
Nothing is Uneventful when Dhanraj is Around