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Testing times for Indian Hockey

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Last week both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had witnessed disruptions as opposition had demanded Vasundhara Raje and Sushma Swaraj’s resignations. Only one thing of importance that stood out is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised Shashi Tharoor’s oratorical skills when he was invited to London for delivering a speech on “Should England give reparations” along with seven other countries.  It’s a speech that went viral and rightly so which is definitely recommended. Watch it on “You Tube”. The other short film that went viral on You tube was a 14 minute film “Ahalya” which is a must watch. The short film is directed by Sujoy Ghosh who had made the critically acclaimed film “Kahaani”. It’s Sujoy’s new take on the old story Of Ahalya which has brilliant performances by all actors.

With India winning laurels at the Wimbledon and making us proud there were many aspirations that we now have in the next upcoming Olympic games till  no sooner an ugly head appears. The Sports Authority of India sacked its fourth coach Paul Van Ass on the behest of Hockey India which has been established in the year 2009. In six years four coaches have come and gone. Jose Brasa, ex-coach came out scathingly and gave facts which should give the Centre something to think about. When he asked them to provide more facilities to players for the betterment of the game and to increase the number of games to be played with competitors in the national and international circuit he was shunted out and not paid his salary either. Moreover, he cited that Charles Worth who is supposed to be the best hockey coach in the world was also shown the door.

Paul has vehemently denounced the Hockey India association by saying that it’s the worst association he has worked with ever and coaches are treated as puppets and with disrespect. This is bad news for India and something ought to be done because the players have lost their rhythm and will have to start afresh with a new coach, his tactics and approach to the game. Much time is lost. And deep down we all know why India does not do well and have few representatives for other games including football due the lack of facilities. India has won Hockey games in Olympics before and it is a sad plight to notice that the nation was declared runner-up in the game recently played in an international fixture.

During the Commonwealth games Suresh Kalmadi drew a lot of flak for underutilisation of funds and disproportionate usurping of funds. He is no more in command. Such high-handedness by senior members in the game only makes the games suffer and because of this behaviour Paul Van Ass refused to pick up any calls. Now Roelant Oltmans has been appointed as chief coach. The first thing he is doing is to take them to tour France and Spain immediately which are seen as preparatory matches for the Hockey world cup to be held at the end of this year. Let’s hope he stays or it will be time for the centre to intervene.

Allka V Aswani

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