Soon after the formation of Selection Committee and ad-hoc committee after dissolution of his own fiefdom, KPS Gill said, “I am watching with keen interest how these committees perform”.
For those who watched the words and action of this gentleman for over a period of time know the import and importance of this statement. He was almost glee on his new rivals.
Now about 70 days after he made the hitting statement, one say with a measure of confidence that he is the happiest man on the development vis-avis Charlesworth.
Yesterday here in Hyderabad where the Junior Asia Cup is going on, Suresh Kalmadi, by virtue of being the head of ad-hockey committee supposed to know everything in advance before you and I know them, clearly stated that he came to know of the resignation only through media.
Most of the Selection Committee members are also in the same boat – floating on the sea of ignorance. They do not have access to even basic information as most of them even don’t know what is internet.
As an escape route they say, like lame duck Aslam Sher Khan, they have not negotiated Charlesworth’s contract.
Yes, surely, but what were you doing so far, in the last 70 days in the office. Except giving interviews, nothing.
Now look at those people who are happy on the turn around.
If you just look around who are the people who are happy about the exit of Ric (though it cannot be said that he has quit unless FIH confirms it), then we will have a measure of, a perspective glimpse of things.
First, Former Olympians, who see a chance for themselves to do a job that they don’t know –coaching.
Second, Babus in the Sports Authority of India and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Third, Selection Committee members who got another bout of chance to talk about the things they are not familiar with – Charlesworth’s contract.
Fourth, Sports minister MS Gill who got a chance to deliver lecture on patriotism
As far as Suresh Kalmadi is concerned, he is guardian of all Olympic sports in the country and would always be interested in hosting events where all these sports can be accommodated — like Commonwealth Games, Asian Games.
Who coaches which team will never enthuse him.
Sports minister considers why such a huge amount to be paid to Ric, without knowing what was he getting before coming here and what he will get in future with the England Cricket Board or wherever he opts to work. Perhaps the minister things he gets more than what he got as chief Election Commissioner of India?
Former Olympians, you call them selection committee members, advisors or by any other glorious name or meritful designation, their knowledge and competency are what a sixth class student will have. Exception to this are few and far between.
With dwindling media interest and lack of unbiased reporting and forthright analysis on continual basis, an era of ignorance is going to engulf Indian hockey.
At Hyderabad on the other day, the Minister Gill said, “We will support hockey even if it does not win anything in the next five years”.
His second part of his statement might turn out to be a prophecy if the manner by which the things are going right now, is continued. While we will come to know whether this Gill continue to be in the chair he is in nowadays for five more years, only after the general election.
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