Times of India: SAI orders investigation over mistreatment of Indian girl’s hockey team in Australia
NEW DELHI: After a video showing girl’s hockey team from India protesting against lack of facilities and support from the Indian government officials in Australia during the Pacific School Games surfaced on social media, the Sports Authority of India clarified that no sanction/approval for travel has been accorded to the team and coach, Pradeep Kumar, featured in the video.
Neither has The Hockey India approved or sanctioned the tour and sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore has ordered an investigation over the matter.
The video, posted yesterday morning showed a number of girls representing India at the Games, expressing displeasure over the negligence of the ‘Indian Officials’. One of the girls goes on to say that they were not made aware of the schedule of their matches that led to them to missing a game. Also, they were not provided with any transportation and had to book cabs on their own to reach the venue.
Later in the evening, The Hockey India tweeted that they have not sent any team nor has the Sports Authority of India involved in the matter. However, FIA, Forum for Indian Australian – a community group that focuses on social issues specific to the Indian-Australian community, reached out to the coach and it was learnt that the girls are in Australia for a sports meet of school kids (Pacific School Games).
The team in question comprises school girls from different schools of India playing matches against Australian school teams. Such games meets between different schools, including this one are facilitated by the School Games Federation Of India (SFGI). The SGFI is an independently registered body which is only “recognised” by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and affiliated with the ISF (International School Sport Federation).
The coach later said that though there was some initial miscommunication which led to some confusion, the situation is under control now. He also went on to clarify that they do not seek any help from anyone at any level at all as everything is now under control.