Maharaj Krishan Kaushik, the under-rated coach of Indian hockey and himself an Olympics medallist at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, lost his battle to Covid-19 in the Capital on Saturday.
Ever-smiling, always ready to help players and the media, MK Kaushik was the quintessential coach who had no hang-ups or airs about himself. His association with Indian hockey was spread over five decades, first as a player and then coach.
Unlike those who coach Indian hockey teams today, Kaushik was a simple man. He knew his hockey well and was a fantastic teacher. What endeared him to his pupils was he was never going to hurl abuses though there was a malice campaign against him over a decade ago. Luckily for Kaushik Saab as many player like to address him, he emerged unscathed after the initial damage.
My interactions with Guru Kaushik were spread out over a period of 25 years. Well before the age of cell phone, he was available on his landline in New Delhi, even though by virtue of working for the Haryana Government, he used to be away for brief periods.
The high point of Kaushik’s coaching career had to be the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, where the Indian men’s team won gold. Kaushik, a total players’ coach then spoke out against the Indian Hockey Federation, then headed by notorious KPS Gill. Gill was a tyrant. None could question him as IHF chief. He used to derive his power as the former DG of Punjab Police and had earned the tag of Supercop.
However, by no means was Gill the best administrator of Indian hockey and he ruled with a heavy hand, ready to sack cocches as if he was a medieval age monarch. Sadly, Kaushik was victimised by KPS Gill after the 1998 Asiad, where some prominent players also fell victims. It included top players like hero goalie Ashish Ballal.
It is to Kasuhik’s credit, he did not go crawling to Gill on his knees and ask for reinstatement. Kaushik took pride in what he did as a coach. And the best part was he never considered any job as inferior. That is why if one goes through his illustrious bio data, one can see how many different teams he coached at various levels, including grassroot.
Having coached the high profile men’s team, when Kaushik returned as coach of the women’s team, he took on the job with a smile. In those days, in early 2002-03, the stock of IHF was low. They were going around with a begging bowl and used to put up the men’s team while in Delhi at shady hotels in Karol Bagh and Paharganj.
In contrast, when the women’s team played in New Delhi or were in the national camp, the old Nehru Stadium residential wing was used. Such was Kaushik’s bonding with the girls’ team, he would face the shortage of drinking water as well.
He was entitled to stay in the executive suite but preferred to stay in the more cramped hostel area near where the girls were lodged. For him, the hockey girls were like his own daughters and they also treated him with utmost respect. Above all, he cared for their safety.
Once the IHF became history and Hockey India started governing the sport in India, Kaushik did find favour again. He was back with coaching assignments, though by then the fetish for foreign coaches had started. Kaushik worked with foreign coaches ungrudgingly. When he was last part of Team India, a famous foreign coach had told Hockey India “Kaushik’s coaching was outdated and he was not needed.”
Kaushik being Kaushik, he moved out and returned to the grassroots. He had seen highs and lows but was never negative or had bile in his belly. It is to Narinder Dhruv Batra’s credit,, former Hockey India president, Kaushik was still utilised for talent hunting.
To say that Kaushik gave his life and blood for Indian hockey is not a cliche. He dealt with praise sporting a smile. And even when the chips were down and he faced a sexual harassment case, he was composed. The day he was exonerated by the Hockey India committee, Kaushik did cry on the phone.
Today, the coach who was an Arjuna Awardee and then went on to win the Dronacharya Award leaves us hockey lovers in tears. Damn this nasty Corona virus. Go away please.