Confusion hits the opening national hockey camps in India
The national hockey camps for both men and women’s team were scheduled for today, March 10 in the capital city New Delhi but has now indefinitely postponed due to non-recommendation of coaches. Moreover, two separate lists have been submitted from the controversial
two authorities co-existing in India namely Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey federation (IHF).
The situation has become ambiguous due to the reason that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recognizes HI whereas the Sports Ministry recognizes the IHF.
Since the Supreme Court has passed an order that both federations should work in unanimity until the final order takes place on Friday, it has become hard to search common grounds for them. The Sports Ministry in a total spin tried interceding talks between
both the bodies today in a closed-door meeting regarding a preferable coach but it failed to do so.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) previously had two meetings with the two contradicting bodies for picking up a common list but they refused to agree upon each other’s options. SAI is still not planning to allow them to hold separate camps.
One of the SAI officials commented, “Yesterday we had a meeting with HI and IHF and today also we called representatives of both the bodies to pick up the common list, but both the refused to come to a common platform. Hopefully we will sort out the issue
in next two-three days. Only after that the appointment of the coaches will be made. I doubt the camp will start on March 10.”
The authorities clarified its efforts by saying, “We are only going by the court’s order which wants us to take both the federations’ viewpoints and chart a way. It is now for the both the bodies to sit together and come to a conclusion.”
According to the proposal, HI submitted a list of 48 feasible players and suggested Harendra Singh as men’s coach with Mohammad Riaz and Jugraj Singh as his assistants. For the women’s team, CR Kumar was chosen as head coach along with Sumrai Tete and Sanggai
Chanu as his associates.
On the contrary, the IHF proposed 52 players and named Gundeep Singh, V Baskaran along with a foreign Jude Felix as head coach for the men’s team. The IHF further stated that it had planned a complete programme for junior, sub-junior and senior women teams.
However, it was also learnt that they have any objection to Kumar’s appointment.
With exactly 11 months left for the London Olympics 2012, the both the Indian hockey men’s and women’s team are facing a very tough time with oblivious camps and no coach to head them for their preparations for the big event.
There are chances that the women players from the Indian Railways would miss out the national camp due to their Inter-Railway tournament that is to take place in the last week of March. They are already busy in camps of their respective zones and may not
compromise for a camp that is uncertain to occur.
The players are very anxious and frustrated of this situation. One of the national level players could not resist upon giving a remark upon the situation that they are nothing but monkeys that will dance when are asked to.
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