HOCKEY Ric Charlesworth episode

Bitter medicine for the Aussie doctor

Things never seem to change in Indian sport. Callous attitudes, disregard for a good player or coach, ego clashes, bad planning and many such reasons have ensured that sport in India continues to be mediocre at best.
The recent episode of Indian hockeys technical advisor Ric Charlesworth allegedly quitting his post after being fed up with the way things work in the country has hopefully made people sit up and take notice. As if failing to qualify for the Olympics was not enough for people to get serious about hockey! After the previous regime of the Indian Hockey Federation led by KPSGill tumbled, one would have thought things would improve for the better. But sadly, the lessons have not been learnt. It looks like people do not want to make afresh beginning to try and regain the glory days of Indian hockey.

Charlesworth was a man full of hope when he came to India. He had just quit as the high-performance manager of the New Zealand cricket team. This legendary Australian had that fire in the belly. Obviously a big fan of Indian skill, he wanted to coach the country to gold medals at the highest levels.

It is believed that his Indian assignment is costing about $150,000 a year. He was to get this amount from the Indian Government and the International HockeyFederation (FIH), which is keen to promote hockey in India. Charlesworth has always wanted to coach the senior mens team but according to him, his role was not clearly defined. After hiring a good coach like him and agreeing to pay a hefty sum, the question is why is he not being allowed to work freely. Indian hockey is in tatters.

Why not give a chance, and a free hand, to someone like Charlesworth to try things out his way? Why not use his services when he is being paid a handsome sum. If not, what is the point in having him in India at all? It all looked rosy when the former Australian captain arrived in the country. He had not realised how tough things are really in India, something he admitted recently. A contract was given but not to his satisfaction. The usual dilly-dallying from the authorities followed.

The fact is that Charlesworth has had no opportunity to feel at home or love his job. It has been trouble and hardship all along. He received cold shoulders from people occupying the hot seats. Being here as the advisor, there was no one to consider his advice. It was always a case of who is he to tell me how to do things? Ultimately, the Indian Olympic Association also came out to say that he is not needed in India.

The previous office-bearers in the IHF have left the game in a mess. With the adhoc committee taking over after Gill and Cos ouster, it seemed that things would improve. But that has not happened so far. There is an absolute need for all to work together India are to nurse any hope of improving. Why not listen to someone who has led Australian teams to gold medals, both as a coach and player? Maybe he is the right doctor to cure Indian hockey. If not, what is the point in hiring him at all? The whole exercise would appear to be a waste of time for Charlesworth and money for the Indian Government.

There is still hope as he has not completely ruled out coming back to India. He has made it crystal clear that he does not want to be in any kind of advisory role and payments due to him must be made.If it is decided to retain his services, India would be better off taking a few tips from this sporting legend.

VIVEK PHADNIS