One afternoon in Bangalore, some months after he was made a victim of politics and dropped from the national side for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Ballal poured his heart out to this correspondent. One was overwhelmed by the courtesy and hospitality he extended as we settled down to a lengthy conversation. It was then that the inner turmoil that had been tormenting him came out in the open.

``They (the officials, coaches and some fellow-players) hate me because they think I am arrogant. I know I am still the best in the country. Why can't they acknowledge it ? I am not the subservient type, who scrapes and bows before authority. I give them respect, butthey should reciprocate. Just because I do not say `hello', it doesn't mean I am arrogant. I just want to be recognised that I am the best goalkeeper in India and treated as such,'' said the six-footer.

Ballal could hardly contain his emotions. After all, he was called for a so-called selection trials in Chennai and was even told that he would be in the team. But, quite dramatically, he was dropped. An enraged Ballal packed his kit, presented it to a local goalkeeper, raced to the hotel for a quick change before jumping into his Esteem and driving back to Bangalore, virtually sobbing all the way. He had no one for company.

``I have been so humiliated by these guys that I just can't explain how I feel about it. I have given my life for my country, never shirked responsibility and always played for my team. Isn't it enough ?'' he wanted to know.

Recalled for 1996 Champions Trophy in Chennai after the Atlanta Games, Ballal performed well enough to be retained. But a combination of factors, including hisinability to attend national camps, forced him out of the Indian team. Came the Utrecht World Cup this summer, and again, he was not considered. But he vowed to make a comeback. And on Saturday, he underlined the fact he, indeed, is the best in the land.

Since he made his debut 10 years ago, Ballal has always been a regular in the Indian side, especially after the premature exit of teenage sensation Mark Patterson (another victim of IHF's politicking) who has now settled in Australia. Blessed with a good height and sharp reactions, Ballal quickly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

But his career took a nosedive in 1996 following the fiasco in Chennai. Since then, Ashish has been nursing a seething anger against the officialdom. In Bangalore, he turned to business by setting up a couple of billiards parlours and with plans to develop them into sports complexes. ``I am not rushing into it, but that's my general plan,'' he admitted some time ago.

The emotions kept in check fornearly two years, finally burst forth soon after the final against Korea. At the very first opportunity, Ballal let fly at the officials, while being interviewed for television. It was a most distasteful outpouring of scorn and pure vitriol that sullied the moment of glory. But knowing Ballal, he really couldn't care less.

Hailing from a affluent family, Ballal loves life in the fast lane. In hockey, a wealthy player is a rarity as most hail from poor or middle-class background. Not many could stomach the sight of Ballal driving an Esteem when they themselves couldn't afford one. Thus, with Ballal not the one to curry favours, it was a question of time before the two clashed.

Ballal can, at once, be generous to a fault. There were murmurs in the officialdom when he threw a party in Bangalore during the 1997 National Championship and invited only a select set of officials. It only spiced up his relationship with the hockey bosses.

There is no doubting Ballal's stature as a top-class goalkeeper. He hasproved that often enough to believe that if there is a player the officials should not fear, then it is Ashish Ballal, and never mind his eccentricities. He saved India's day and that counts.