I feel a little perturbed by what’s happening at the national level in Hockey.
The administrators haven’t seem to learn any lessons from anyone.
Few days back, I was comparing Pakistan politics and Indian Hockey.
There, first an Army General throws out a powerful President and then suspends the Parliament to rule the country in a dictator manner. Then, some people gather to throw him out of power, in which eventually they succeed.
No one cares about the people, democracy or how the nation stands in the World.
And that is where it draws huge similarities with Indian Hockey. Pakistan is far behind India and India is far behind everyone in Hockey.
One sacks another another, second goes to court. Now, neither 1 can work nor 2 can work. 1’s administration was autocratic. 2 is even pathetic. There are too many 2’s in the fray.
Even those who held the stick once for the country are still stuck with desires of more glory not to the game but to themselves. Apart from the adhoc committee members, one such biggest culprit is Sri. Pillay. I sometimes feel that media doesn’t speak about him but there is a time when we all have to accept that fact that a magician with stick may not be the greatest person in formal dress in a board room. It’s high time we understand who is suited for what position. As one of your articles says, how these players are different from the administrators who governed them in their playing times.
Sometimes I feel, a person like Viren Rasquinha may be suited for Sports Administration.
Anyhow, my story keeps going on because when I see Goa, Nagpur, Srinagar, Mumbai, Imphal, Shillong, Mysore, Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam, Trichi hosting Hockey Tournament in their capacity and when you sum up how much media coverage junk political developments get with regards to Hockey, it pains.
They will keep crying that media is Cricket obsessed and corporates don’t sponsor anyone but Cricket, I feel they deserve what they are getting.
I don’t know whether you observed or not, Football ppl have taken massive ‘professional’ steps and last night NDTV was interviewing Bhutia and Chhetri.
Our country is craving for an alternate team Sport and Football ppl are progressing in leaps and bounds. They have a foriegn coach as well.
Football is ready to cash upon what Hockey has more or less lost and is eager to loose the rest.
Sadly, time and again, I am reminded of what Charlesworth said when he left …
Then ppl like you who wake up every morning with the hope that something positive will happen .. or ppl like Shanmugham ji (former player based in Bangloare) .. who in spite of all this, go to the stadium 7 times a week .. sometimes to play .. other times to train … brings me the realization that I am way to go as far as my motivation levels are when it comes to doing something for the sport.
Too much I murmured, I feel .. just that I felt a little low today with the whole set of ‘off the field’ developments.
Note: Shashank Gupta is a hockey enthusiast. Devotes his time either thinking on hockey or trying to do something on the ground. He is also involved in social service. INthe images, one can note him entertaining young wards, cared by an NGO, on the ground itself. The location is KSHA Stadium, Bangalore. One who watches standing is Shanmugamji referred in the write up.
7 Comments
‘Experts’ in hockey mostly are either ‘biased’ or ‘lobbyist’. Those who love hockey for the heck of it are the most important visitors the site waits for. In fact this site is designed for pure hockey lovers. That’w why we spent big money in s2h to provide message board, feedback facilities etc. to our visitors. We at s2h are interested to know and reflect the pulse of the people who love hockey, not just for those it is a profession. The types of Shahshanks are necessary for the survival of hockey. They only give — their time, their emotion, their heart to hockey. Shahshank also have a blog of his own (hockeyandhockey). We invite visitors to come forward and tell what they think on what’s going on in Indian hockey.
Mr.Shashank & Mr. Editor,are both of u sadist? or may be negative ? My dear freinds now golden time of Indian Hockey is coming back. have both of u read today,s news paper ? Mr. Harendra Singh is claiming to be the chief coach of Indian National side.ofcoures he is having a vast experience of indian hockey, but not for its upliftment rather he is the biggest ruiner of indian hockey.start from- PHL< Sydney Olympics, Germany World cup, Junior world cup. Asian games,and soooooo on.And mr,Dhanraj pillay is his Supporter.Ask the players his story.
ok, writing sms type is citizen journalism?
Mr. Player… If you were a real player, you would have come out with your original name and where you are working. What wrong has Harendra Singh done? As far as coaching is concerned he has more experience than anyone else in the country. At least he is coaching IA team, they are winning tournaments..Perhaps he does not entertain back door people like you. Is that a crime? By far he has much higher ability than many of the coaches who have coached the press than the team. If he is given opportunity I think he would deliver. Junior World cup was a big miss and every one knows about it. What’s wrong with Dhanraj Pillay. You dont have even standard to touch his feet. He is one of the best player ever India has produced. If he is in Ad-hoc committee, it is because of his achievements and not ‘chamchagiri’. We have seen many players who does not have the ability to play national level have got Indian colours. Are you one among them? If you were a good player you would have bestowed showers on him. Mind you he is still playing and I think you are still sitting in the gallery.
i don’t know why dhanraj is targetted? what wrong has he done. he is just one of the selectors. that great fellow is still playing, i think. we are barking at wrong tree.
future game of india is footfall.let hockey people organize themselves well first before doing anything.
Good work guys… It’s really appealing that you have introduced lap top to playfield which is a must if our players have to learn in an effective way. I know Shanmugham very well. Whether rain or shine I see Shanmugham always in ground. I am sure that you guys would be doing wonders in future. All the best.