FIH Observer exceeds brief, pulls out of TV discussion

The FIH is a well-meaning global organization, its concern to uplift plummeting Indian hockey’s fortune is a ray of hope hockey lovers are holding close to their heart to save their cherished sport.

However, history shows some FIH officials comprehension of complex Indian hockey scenario is much to be desired.

The FIH genuinely thought legendary Ric Charlesworth will be welcome in India, like most the hockey world would have done. But it did not happen in India? Therefore, in this light, the visiting dignitary of FIH Antonio von Ondarza was expected to at least excerise constraint, in supporting officials in the hotly debated domestic issue of India.

But he hasn’t.

Today in this connection a peculiar thing has happened. The visiting dignitary had to walk out during a Live Programe that debated Indian hockey’s imbroglio.

Even the moderator of the popular television channel Times Now (owned by Times of India Group), Arnab Goswami, had to say this: “We are not surprised our guests walking out because we ask uncomfotable questions”.

What happened was, Ondarza told the channel that during the World Cup the present Indian team will not have global hockey’s sympathy. Nobody in the FIH will also have any support for this team”. For which the angor retorted, “that is, you mean, the FIH is directly interfering in the Indian team selection”.

Probably not used to live programs, and also visibly taken aback at the straight question, he replied ‘thanks’ and then pulled out of the program. It did not behove of a high level offical to respond to an uncomfortable question in such a fashion in a channel that is watched my million on prime time which it was.

Actually it did not seem good for the visiting dignitary to be over-enthusiastic in small matters like player-Hockey India problem that is going on now, simply because it is normal and routine in this part of India, will dissisipate once a bigwig intevenes.

Ondarzo’s global perspectives of hockey(hockey is a minority sport, it cannot pay for the players, wearing country’s colours is most important and alike) might be true in most part of the world, but not in Europe and Asia where clubs are spending a fortune on hiring players.

Unfortunately for Ondorzo, this old view of hockey is not only factually incorrect, but often heard in India as the excuses put forward by the incompetent officials to justify their acts of omission and commission; these jargons, however meritful in the other part of the world he knows, is unaccetable to Indian public.

Therefore, expectedly, his views did not go well with the other panelists, former and present players. This is the type of arguments the likes of Phil Appleyards used to parrot in India, which never cut ice even then (When a private sponsor lined up five luxury cars to be given to players he prevented it telling hockey is a amateur sport, and it was done when almost all players in the team got jobs because of being a profssional hockey player).

It also further felt Ondarzo has come here as Election Observer, which is a right thing for FIH to do — to send a senior official to oversee the election. But it seems in hindsight he has bitten more than what he can chew by going totally against players in the press conference in Pune — who are fighting against what the society by and large feels a corrupt and incompetent system.

In India, the FIH officials are considered holy cows and their views are respected in every respect. It is good sign, and, as mentioned in the beginning of the story, is the last resort for every hockey supporter in India. We don’t want this useful input go abegging. It is therefore duty of Ondorzo to keep the tradition high, rather than openly siding with one lobby however he feels correct of his own views.

We pick some of the views expressed by the FIH dignitary in the last two days and give our comments.

Ondarzo: Staying away from training camp before an important event like World Cup was unheard of in the game’s history.

Comment: A hockey official taking bribery, was caught on camera, is also not heard of in the hockey world, but happened in India. The environment in which Indian hockey survives is complex, one cannot comapre with any other country. Kindly note in 1990 also a few players walked out of camp before the Labore camp. If Ondorzo does not know, it is not anybody else’s fault.

Ondarzo: For a player wearing India shirt should be his priority,”

Comment: Certainly, but almost 20 players are dropped every year, players who are not in the training camp even go for the tournament etc etc, how much a player feels happy about country’s colours depend on how honest the officials who control them all. Sorry, this another facet of Indian hockey. More so, the agitating players wore the India caps more than one hundred matches, they know how honour it is to be so. Still they have a probem on hand, and doubting their sincerity is not good.

Ondarzo: The players should not have taken such an extreme step which would only hamper India’s preparation.
Agreed. But his outbursts on agitating players are not in tune with practical problems an Indian player faces

Ondarzo: Players should keep in mind that hockey is not a cash-rich sport like football and basketball.
Comment: Certainly, but not so in India if its potential is harnessed optimally. He knows well India can be great destination if only the sport is administered properly.

Ondarzo: “Hockey is not a sport with billions of dollar. We are not FIFA or basketball
Comment: That is FIH’s problem, in India it has money. It is national sport of India, it has much more stakes in India than what FIFA and basketfall to do with. At least one hundred players get employment and are full professionals.

More comments to follow