Basketball player Dilip Gurumurthy, the only player from Karnataka on the Indian team that went to the 1980 Moscow Olympics, gets nostalgic over the experience
There were whispers among those present at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, at Bambolim. “Did an Indian basketball team really make it to the Olympics?” they asked.
This wonder was evoked during the Federation Cup Basketball Tournament recently, where the cagers who represented the country at the 1980 Moscow Olympics were felicitated by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).
On the podium, the players exchanged stories from their heyday. Among the many other topics covered in their conversation, one stood out. How did our national side gain a spot in the most coveted of sporting events?
Led by then U.S. President Jimmy Carter, 65 countries boycotted the Games, in protest of Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. This left gaping holes in the entry list, across disciplines.
India – ranked fifth in Asia – suddenly found itself in the main draw, after Japan, South Korea and Philippines (all ranked above India) withdrew. In a twist of fate, the rank outsiders took the court against Brazil, Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia in the main draw. Unable to keep up with their vastly-superior opponents, India was blown away by over 60 points in all three group stage fixtures. In the placement encounters, the hoopsters once again fell short, this time to Senegal, Sweden and Australia.
The results may have been a downer, but overall, there was an undeniable feeling of euphoria among the members of the squad. India had made its debut on the Olympic basketball court, and this feat has not been repeated since.
Centre Dilip Gurumurthy, the only player from Karnataka on that team, speaks about the experience with pride. He says that staying at the Olympic Village felt like heaven, even if the other athletes did not speak the same language. The Vijaya Bank stalwart, however, stated that the nation has a long way to go before dreams of reaching another mega-event can be realised. Excerpts:
Talk us through the Olympic qualification process.
We were fortunate to gain a spot. On the political level, India and the Soviet Union had a very good relationship, so that helped. The National Basketball Federation and the government pushed our case, and it worked. The Indian Volleyball Team was also slated to travel to Moscow, but somehow we got the nod. Of course, all of this was possible only because so many countries withdrew from the Games. After receiving news of the entry confirmation, we had only three weeks to get ready. The team selection was done during the Inter-Zonal Tournament in Calcutta.
What was it like to stay at the Olympic village?
It was like heaven. World-class athletes, from all over the world, interacted with one another in a friendly manner. We would exchange medals, badges and jerseys. There was a lot of security, as those were the days of the Communist regime. Our basketball team followed the fortunes of our countrymen with great interest. If you had the correct ID card, you could enter any stadium and watch any event. Language was never a problem, and we would use sign language to convey our thoughts. The facilities were unbelievable. I saw the marathon guys train even past midnight. I felt like I was living in a dream.
Who were the biggest stars that you wanted to meet?
Sebastian Coe (British middle-distance runner, who won the 1,500m gold at Moscow) and his countryman (track and field legend) Edwin Moses. Unfortunately, we could not meet them as security was too strict. I also saw Cuban boxer Teofilo Stevenson (one of the greatest amateurs in boxing history. He is best known for refusing to defect to the USA in order to fight pro heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali, despite being offered one million dollars to do so).
On the floor, the Indian basketball team could not compete against its rivals. We were able to score about 60 points in each match, but that was never going to be enough. The other teams were superior is many aspects – physique, skill and strategy. A side like Senegal which was supposed to be the lowest-ranked Africa unit, was tough to guard. We just could not match their physique. In fact, the average height for a player in any team was around 6’6”. And not only were they big, they were athletic as well. We could do well only till half-time, and after that, they would take over.
How did life change after the Olympics?
I came back with a strong desire to prove myself as a good player. I was supposed to get selected for the 1982 Asian Games, but somehow, that did not happen. So I decided to give up my international dreams. In 1983, I had an ACL injury which required surgery. Those days, even techniques like orthoscopy did not exist. The surgery was done and though, I was supposed to rest for six months, I returned to action in three months. I went on to play regularly for several more years. Towards the end of my career, I helped the Vijaya Bank side by being a player-coach. I retired from my service at Vijaya Bank only last year. They have supported me well for many years.
You are here to watch the best in the country compete in the Federation Cup. How would you compare your generation to the current generation?
We never had these facilities. It makes me cherish all the hardships we went through. Travelling in unreserved tickets to tournaments, eating whatever we could – all for the sake of basketball.
I was known for my defence and asked to mark the toughest man. I’m not boasting, but I was never taken out of the game for not doing my job. See these current players. After their match, they should sit in the venue and analyse other matches. But they never do that. Doing your homework is important. Somehow I feel that current players have no real fighting qualities in them. Players may be taller now, but where are the results? That drive to succeed is not there. Coaching wise, the emphasis should be on defence. My take is that if you stop two points on defence and then score on the counter, you are up by four points.
I don’t know, these guys seem casual in their approach. If a team is winning by 20 points, they want to try fancy passes and dunks. At the national level, players should remain serious and composed, with a sharp focus on being productive.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Ashwin Achal / Bangalore – March 28th, 2016