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Editorial
Joysticks,
Fiddlesticks, Sadsticks
 Not
very long ago, we had used the word "Fiddlesticks" to describe the
way Indian hockey was going downhill, but it seems the real nadir
has been hit now. While it may be an Indian shame, the fact also is
that hockey has often been identified with
Punjab and the
Indian team has featured many a Sikh player. The community is pained
with the way the players have been forced to boycott the training
camp just because they have not been able to get their dues.
Clearly, the game’s administration, paralyzed by the likes of KPS
Gill earlier, has hardly improved ever since.
Monetary
remuneration is a complex issue. Hockey might have brought
India
eight Olympic gold medals but for decades it was an amateur sport.
There are virtually no sponsors, but it now seems there is a bit of
Punjab
political angle too to the entire sorry scenario. Sukhbir Singh
Badal who heads state chapter of hockey wants to become the chief of
Hockey
India,
and is stoking trouble in Suresh Kalmadi camp.
The politicos
who are never seen at a playground are forever trying to take over
sports bodies, but here they are spoiling the spirit of a game.
Now, Hockey
India is
threatening to pick a new World Cup squad, and ban all the players
while India's Sports Minister M S Gill is requesting the players to
return with promises ‘fair deal’.
As this WSN
edition goes to the press, Hockey
India has given
the players 48 hours to return to practice. The players are
demanding a regular stipend and incentives for their performances
last year, and have described the Rs-25,000 incentive as a joke,
which it clearly is.
Compare the
money involved with cricket and it is no joke; it will bring tears
to anyone's eyes.
Instead of
finding an amicable solution, Hockey India was earlier trying to
break the team by speaking to players individually but when all 22
players lined up for a media briefing together, it was clear they
had the courage of conviction.
At a time when
even kabbadi matches in
Punjab are
attracting crores, it is anyone's guess why a national sport is
being so badly managed. What hurts players most is that even when
good sponsorship deals are struck, their rewards are negligible and
payments erratic.
Hockey
India, a
mechanism created by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that is
yet to be formalised in a democratic election, has remained
apathetic to players’ concerns.
When the
International Hockey Federation (FIH) accorded recognition, it was
on the understanding that the national body would be formed by
November 2009. The deadline was extended in view of the difficulties
encountered in merging associations in each State. But the
insistence of Hockey
India’s
affiliation panel on a mandatory endorsement of the State Olympic
Associations led to controversies. The threat of legal action by a
few delayed the constitution of the voters’ list.
The FIH and the
Sports Ministry saw the necessity of nominating observers for
holding fair and free elections. The FIH named a senior
vice-president, Antonio von Ondorza, and Union Sports Minister and
former Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill tasked the former legal
advisor to the Election Commission, S.K. Mendiratta, with the
responsibility of ensuring that democratic norms were observed. The
delay in granting affiliation to
Punjab triggered
a heated debate. This obliged the Ministry to issue fresh
guidelines, one of which stipulates that the Returning Officer
should be an independent nominee, preferably a retired High Court or
district judge.
Clearly, the
quality of governance by the IOA-led Ad Hoc Committee and then by
Hockey
India has been appalling. The dismal record of 2009 speaks for
itself.
For every minute
that the players are not on the field,
India's sports
establishment will have to be made answerable, not the players who
have genuine grouses.
13
January 2010
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