KNSS News july

was the turn of nimble footed teenager, 19 year old
Kylian Mbappe of France to join the elite group in
Football History ultimately winning the 'Young Player
Award.' The other awards were: Golden Boot Harry
Kane (England); Golden Glove Thivant Courtois
(Belgium); Fair Play:Spain.
With this win, France Manager Didier Deschamps
joined Mario Zagallo of Brazil and Franz Beckenbauer
of Germany, the extra-ordinary group of winners of
World Cup as player as well as Manager. Didier was
the Captain of the France team which won the FIFA
World Cup in 1998 for the first time.
In this FIFA World Cup, Video Assistant Referee
(VAR) was put into practice for the first time and
many critical decisions by referees were finalized in
consultation with VAR.
This World Cup stands out by the emergence and
historical achievement of Croatia, a small European
Country with around 4 million population. Fans in
huge numbers from Croatia including their President
were thronging the stadium propelling their team to
spirited performance. Not only that ! They did not
forget to display a huge banner thanking Russians for
the hospitality ! A man of mark in the big conglomerate
of greats in Football seen in Russia who stood out was
the stoic Croatian Coach and Manager Zlatko Dalic.
It will be of interest to go through his great comments
after the finals.”We were all sad and down cast after the
game ended. But , I told them to hold their heads high,
and be proud of their display. Some times in foot ball
you loose but you need to be dignified in defeat too “
Similarly, it is worthy listening to what Griezmann the
French team member and set-piece specialist has to say
about the secret of their success. “ There are people of
different origins in France but we are united and that is
the France we love. It’s the same for the team. We are
from different backgrounds but as soon as we wear the
jersey we play for each other and the Nation”
From Asia, Japan’s performance came up for great
appreciation and adulation. And, no wonder, Japanese
fans’ commitment to cleanliness even in the stadium
did not go unnoticed !
FIFA approved the recommendation to increase the no.
of teams to 48 from 32 at the final stage from 2026. It
is said to be beneficial to countries from Asia by way
of opportunity for more no of countries from Asia. Let
“Team India” hope for the best. Let us look forward to
the next FIFA World Cup in 2022 in Qatar facilitating
more Indians to enjoy the matches in person.
Hima Das adds a Golden page in the annals of
Indian Athletics History !
An eighteen year old daughter of a farmer from a remote
village in Nagaon District in Assam, Hima Das, could
create glitter in the otherwise dull Indian athletics
horizon in the backdrop of International arena. She
created a proud history of an Indian winning a Gold in
athletics in a World Championship for the first time by
winning the Gold in 400m race in the recently concluded
World U20 Athletic Championships in Finland.
Her coach Nipon Das finds that "Confidence
is the key to Hima's success. Confidence is her
biggest strength. It insulates her from nervous
moments which make or break many a Sporting
Career. She does not get overawed by anybody. In
every race her goal is to beat the best with better
timing.”
Let us also glance through Hima's thoughts
earmarked by humility. She says "I am not a star. I
am a low-key Indian girl from a middle class family
of a small village. I never get afraid of anything. I
only fear time." Celebration of her achievement is not
her priority. She says "My focus is on Asian games. I can
celebrate after that."
She is focusing on Women's 200m and 400m individual
races and 400m relay in the ensuing Asian Games slated
from 12th August 2018 in Indonesia.
KNSS wish her the very best.
knss news bulletin July 2018 41