Want to play hockey? Shell out Rs 10,000 a day

Jaipur: There is a lot of talk these days about the need to nurture and develop sports, other than cricket, especially hockey after eight-time gold medalist India missed out on the Olympic Games men’s event in the final of a qualifying tournament. For the first time since 1928, India fail to secure an Olympic berth. People say there should be a change of guard because only fresh ideas can bring about a turnaround.

Several seminars were organised and all the hockey stalwarts suggested that the team should be rebuilt keeping an eye on the important assignments in near future. While other states are really trying hard to revive its old glory, holding a number of camps and tournaments, things are totally different here in Jaipur.

The non-availability of sponsors has already affected tournaments in the state, and the decision of the state sports council to charge Rs 10,000 per day for using the astroturf at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium has almost put the game in disarray.

“I really don’t understand the policy of the state sports council. Do they really want to promote hockey ? I doubt, otherwise they never charge such hefty amount for using the turf. It’s ridiculous,” said Paramjit Singh, Rajasthan coach and former secretary of the Rajasthan University Sports Board. He regretted the hock ey culture in the state is on the wane.

“We have a few famous clubs here like Rajputana and SMS. But the players don’t get a chance to practice on astro-turf just because they have to shell out the heavy amount. And playing on grass is not viable because the national and international tournaments are held on artificial surface,” he added.

The worst sufferers are the Rajasthan women’s hockey team, which will take part in the South West inter-varsity hockey championship from Friday. The team is now undergoing a camp at the sports board complex ground. “We practice on grass because it’s beyond our capacity to pay Rs 10,000 per day if we want to use the turf,” said one of the participants.

Talking a cue from her, BS Rathore, vicepresident of the Rajasthan Olympic Association, said: “Lack of practice on astro-turf has not only made the state team short on confidence, but also developed a fear psychosis among them. As a result, their performances in nationals, inter-district and inter-state championships, are disastrous.

“They simply cannot match the speed and skill of other teams, who practice on turf. So, what is the use of having an astro-turf here if we can’t use it?” asked Rathore.

A source at the state sports council attributes the reasons to as purely economic. “People may criticise us, but we charge the fees because we have to maintain the course,” said one of the officials on condition of anonymity.

Is there any hope? Although people in general and the players do not have much faith in the state administrators, SAI coach GK Sharma said things may change.