Not A Single Player Among Probables

Hyderabad: It is a matter of pride to host an international tournament, but it is equally shameful not to have even a single player from the state among the national probables.

The city is gearing up for next month’s Junior Asia Cup Hockey championship and it is currently hosting the national camp here, but the two associations in the region —the Hyderabad and Andhra units— have not a single representative in the camp.

What is even more pathetic is the claim by the organisers that the Hyderabad Hockey Association is trying its best to get two of its players included in the three-week camp that kicked off on June 18 at the Gachibowli Hockey Stadium.

When confronted, HHA secretary Kanthaiah quickly put it as an effort to get some exposure for his boys. “Our intention is not to get them into the final squad, we only feel that it will help them to sharpen their skills,” he said.

Kanthaiah minced no words while accepting that his players failed to impress the selectors, indirectly admitting that the standard of hockey in the region is poor.

Meanwhile, Andhra Hockey Association secretary Niranjan Reddy appeared concerned, but blamed the situation on the internal politics of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

“We have always had good teams, but since we were opposed to the faction led by KPS Gill, we were neglected and our players were given a raw deal. Now that things have changed at the top, we expect our talented players to get their due,” said Reddy.

But a fact that neither Kanthaiah nor Reddy can deny is that the rot had set in state hockey long time back. That there was not a single player in the Junior Asia camp even in 2004 underlines this fact. And it surprised no one when the two sides were knocked out of the National Championship last year at the league phase itself.

Olympian Mukesh Kumar, the last player from the state to don national colours, bemoaned the lack of commitment from all quarters.

“The whole system should be overhauled. Our coaches, officials and players are not at all committed. The pity is that we have world class facilities but we have to pay to use them,” Mukesh said.