Monthly Archives: October 2011

The driver is but the face of an F1 team

October 24, 2011

It may seem that the Driver is almost entirely responsible for his own success or failure in a Formula 1 race. But the drivers, be it the legendary Michael Schumacher or the young champion Sebastian Vettel, be it Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton, will be the first to concede that there is more to a Formula 1 team than just the driver.

“We had a very good car but more so we had a very good package, a very good team, a lot of good people around and all of those people were happy to work hand in hand, work together, 100 per cent committed. I think that’s the only way you can be ready to have such a year with all of those results that we’ve had so far,” Vettel said after sealing his second World championship title earlier this year.

Read more »

F1: Further proof of India as a sports market

October 23, 2011

An image of the article as it appeared in Free Press Journal

The arrival of Formula 1 in India must be seen as another significant step towards establishing India firmly in the world’s sports market. It is a natural consequence of the opening up of our economy, its stability – and the enormous numbers of the young consumers of televised sport here – that India has been identified as an emerging sports market, as a sporting destination.

Look at how soccer teams from Europe have started investing their attention here – Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are good examples. Consider how NBA has already set its foot on Indian soil by tying up with Mahindras; or, for that matter, look at how golf’s European PGA Tour has already expanded its base with a second-level Challenge Tour event in India. It was inevitable that Formula 1 President and CEO Bernie Ecclestone brought the sport to India sooner than later.

Read more »

A stint on AIR’s Sports Scan

October 12, 2011

It was a pleasure and privilege, being part of All India Radio’s Sports Scan on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. There were a lot of sporting events that came up for discussion.

The National Boxing Championship for Women in Bhopal came up first since MC Mary Kom’s clash with defending champion Sarita Devi in the 51kg class will hold enormous interest, given that the five-time world champion in the 46kg class, is eyeing a berth in the Indian team for the Olympic Games in London next year.

The show’s host, Mukesh Kumar, and I then discussed India’s showing in the Asian Age-Group Swimming Championship. I made a pitch for the Indians to train overseas rather than restrict themselves to camps in India with Indian coaches.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

My tweets

  • Has been an absolute pleasure watching Sir Vivian Richards the past month. What a human being! Always ready to share his knowledge. #respect: 2 days ago
  • A delightful view of the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, as seen from my balcony window last night. :) http://t.co/Dmj4uKpIpB: 5 days ago
  • It has been more than three years now but an eyewitness swears that it was the most emotional bear… wp.me/s2HuHA-1802: 1 week ago
  • Touched. A total stranger walked up to me at breakfast this morning and said he likes the way I speak about sport on radio and TV. #humbled: 1 week ago
  • Now have a Knights of Cricket poster with Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Ian Botham, Sir Richard Hadlee & Sir Vivian Richards.: 1 week ago

Switch to our mobile site