Players are the losers
A dispute between two warring faction create discomfort to the third party, and the third party is the valued and respected hockey players.
Let us explore and explain this.
Hockey India recently got sports wear from a top brand, Adidas, for the Europe bound Indian hockey team. Jumping into action quickly, Sahara India, who holds the sponsorship rights of the Indian national hockey teams, brought a stay on use of Hockey India on the sportswear instead of their own. This has ultimately led to change of sportswear package to the national team, the Adidas sports wear had to make way for local made ones. It was duty of everyone to comply with the court directive, and therefore the players had to follow whatever the Hockey India asked them to do.
It has long been the cherished dream of Indian teams to sport branded sports wear, and it was one of the reasons why the Premier Hockey League — where again Adidas was the sports wear provider for first three years – endeared the hearts of hockey players.
From whatever angle you look at it, the desi sports wear products had no comparison to branded ones. Branded ones are long lasting, nicer texturally, therefore much less in weight, generate less heat which practically meant less sweat, and are good absorbent of sweat as well. This gives a better feel for the players on the turf. The advantage of branded sports wear are many more – it even gives a sense of confidence and equality to our national team members.
Take it for sure the local outfit weighs double compared to branded ones, hardly sustains multiple wash, fades quickly, and its weight triples on slight humidity or wet. For example, if a game is going on a hot climate or during rain Indian players will be carrying at least 500 to 1000 grams more weight due to soaking, which is minimal in branded wears, maximum in the ones present day the players get.
No surprise therefore most leading countries have made it a routine to provide only the top products to their players. It was paying as well, as exacting sport as hockey players need every comfort that is available.
Unfortunately, player comfort does hardly occupy the mind and workings of our administrators.
We feel this should go. Now that the Hockey India is getting sponsorship cheques, their first priority should be to kit the national team with branded goods. Whether Sahara’s name will be written there or Hockey India’s is least of our concern. Let that be sorted out between them and in the Courts.
What we plead is both sides should see to it the players get top class sports wear and equipment.
It is not written in any holy book if Sahara India name is on the sportswear it should be only cheap, local product. For that matter Adidas won’t mind, nor will it be its concern, what should be written on the product it gets orders for.
If players are the losers, we understand and interpret, hockey is the loser, not merely some 18 individuals.