Instant fitness on offer to Asia Cup probables

Things finally got off the ground at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, with fitness instructor Tej Krishan Kaul taking over the conduct of the camp and putting the 27 probables for the upcoming Asia Cup through their paces.

Kaul, a fitness instructor with the Sports Authority of India and director of the pace academy of India, boasts a master's degree in sports acquired in Leipzig, Germany, and is even now in the process of acquiring his master's degree.

"Ideally, a 21-day camp is needed to bring sportsmen to the peak of fitness, but this ten day camp will suffice to get the players back to their peak since the previous season has only recently ended," Kaul said.

Asked what his priorities are, Kaul said, "It is a custom-tailored regimen, and I will be working on the specific requirements of one day cricket, attempting to improve the endurance and speed of the players. Emphasis will be on cricket oriented parameters such as fielding and running between wickets."

The Kaul workout begins with a two hour spell of exercises designed to balance between load and recovery. Follows a spell of fielding practise, including drill in the basics of throwing at - and hopefully, hitting - the stumps from all angles. And the last phase, each day, directs the focus on batting and bowling, with warm down exercises to round the package off.

But can all this increase the physical fitness and capacity of players in just eight days? "No," admits Kaul. "But even over such a brief period of time, results will show if the players are dedicated and willing."

Which brings up the question of the mind - the province of Dr Jayant G Paraki, who has joined the camp as psychotherapist in charge of toning up the mental fitness of their probables. Paraki began operations with an introductory lecture on Thursday, and is scheduled to begin things in earnest with an audio-visual presentation on Friday, before moving on to discussions with individual players.

After the first session, Paraki told reporters that the players were very receptive, and had raised some doubts. A few had even sought individual appointments with him, Paraki said, while refusing however to name the concerned players.

Paraki said that today's session covered various techniques designed to manage stress, and added that he would use even Ayurveda and Homeopathy as part of his regimen.

Team manager Madan Lal, who attended the session, said he would decide whether or not Paraki's services need be continued after discussions later today with the players. "My job is to provide what the players need," Madan Lal said.

Word coming in from Sri Lanka, meanwhile, is that elaborate security arrangements are being put in place for the four-nation Asia Cup tournament. "An elite unit of security troops will be in charge of the players' welfare," Sri Lanka cricket board president Upail Dharmadasa said in Colombo.

The Ministers' Security Division (MSD) of the police, which is normally used to provide security to visiting dignitaries, has been briefed to guard the teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and, of course, the home team. Regular police will guard the hotels where visiting journalists and tourists are to be accomodated.

"We had lengthy discussions with MSD brass on security concerns, and are sure we will provide tight security for all teams," Dharmadasa said.

The $ one million tournament, to be sponsored by soft drinks giant Pepsi, is seen by the island nation as a prestige event. All stops, therefore, have been pulled out to ensure smooth running of the tournament. Given that this is monsoon season in Sri Lanka, not only has a reserve day been provided for each fixture, but the Lankan board has also imported ten covers, and one Super Soaker, from India to help protect the pitch and to dry the outfield in case of rains.