With Anupam in, who will be out of Asian Games bench?

A healthy bench management was happening in the men’s hockey so far. This has to be compromised for the Asian Games now, it seems. This is the impression one gets if the list of officials cleared for the Asian Games are any indication.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has cleared Anupam Ghulati as manager for the men’s hockey team at no cost to government, a step that might prove costly to the team’s cause if things are not managed properly.

Hitherto in the last one year or so, Harendra Singh, second in coaching hierchy, was designated as Manager and Jose Brasa as the chief coach. This arrangement helped the both the coaches to man the bench and run the team on the pitch effectively. Its always managers who attend all technical meetings; that way this proved to be a sensible step.

Now that Hockey India permanent man Anupam appointed as manager, the question that arises immediately is, then who are the two who will sit on the bench?

The legitimate claimants are Brasa and Harendra. Now one of them will have to vacate to accommodate manager. This is a matter of conjuncture, and we all fairly know who will be out. (Only Manager and a coach are allowed to sit on the bench during the matches as per tournament rules and regulations).

If Brasa is made out to sit in the stands, which is likely the way bureacrats in the country are treating him, this will open another sad chapter in the unending ugly book of Indian hockey.

Clarench Lobo is among the three support staff cleared for China.

However, on the women’s side, only two coaches will be going, Sandeep Somesh and Khalid Modi. Only support staff to accompany the team will be videographer Nalini. Rupa Saini of course goes as manager after so much dilly dallying in the choice.

This effectively meant the senior girls’ email seemed to work as ‘guidelines’ for the Ministry in disposing of others who were part of the World Cup and CWG teams.

The senior girls wanted no women coach for the team. However they were not successful in getting rid of Rup Saini who, in her report, certainly indicted a section senior girls for their questionable fitness and unworthiness to be in the team.