Who selects the Selectors?
This is what a legend asked in the famous book of hockey. Ok, good question. This question perhaps has the distinction of never getting right answer.
It cannot have an answer either. Because, the very question has been raised is a proof the answer is implicit.
We indeed are in a different kind of situation. Do we need selectors at all? It might look a jarring note, but the poser has its own merit as well.
See what happened to five stalwarts who were touted as the future of hockey last year April.
Aslam Sher Khan told every citizen in the country that hockey for the first time is managed by players. He obviously was elated being made the Selection Committee Chairman. In a fit of power jetlag, he even cancelled suspension of a player, certainly not his area of action.
Only to be found a few months later how he himself been sidelined and shown the doors.
Omnipresent Ajit Pal, a hockey selector on lease for 999 years, felt it is below his dignity to work (even if the selection of team for these gentleman can be categorized as work, even Best of Labour Commissioners won’t be able to distinguish the job they do is skilled or unskilled, if in case they decide the selection is a job) under his junior Aslam Sher Khan.
So, he mobilized all his energy to prevail upon the IOA to correct the historical blunder, and one fine morning A Rotation Policy was announced by the greatest sports administrator India has ever had – Suresh Kalmadi.
The bickering made one thing clear. Whoever came to administer the sport, whatever their understanding of the sport they are supposed to govern, they clearly understood the mean minded and selfishness of the legends who masquerade as Selectors.
Then another legend – face of Indian hockey in the last two decades – Dhanraj Pillay openly said he wants to be a coach or player, certainly selection is not his option.
It was clear he was made the Selectors without anyone bothering to hear his option.
He came however as a selector, became manager for two tours and now the sack for which he is always used to.
Ashok Kumar has long back stopped to sport the nomenclature of Selector.
What is left? Zafar Iqbal, one of the five Selectors announced after the adhoc Committee came into being.
If our information is correct both Zafar Iqbal and Ajit Pal will be the government nominees, their super eligibility criteria for that being they are from Delhi, close to news, close to powers, has the unique habbit of closing their eyes to what the Government does or pretend not doing.
So, in the situation, what does one want to do right now?
Condemn the sacking of legends as Selectors? If so are you ready to give the sacked former stars passing mark as the excellent selectors?
Only beneficiary in the complex situation is Hockey India. They are power usurpers, self-appointed Secretaries and Presidents.
Can we therefore call their action of announcing new Selection Committee arbitrary?
May be or not. But the important thing is unless selectors role is defined — to spot talent at junior and domestic circuit, not just signing on the team list the manipulating coaches prop up during trails — they are merely useful for government babus to push thro, not for hockey.
The coaches, the selectors are all former players. Knowingly or unknowingly they formed a vicious circle in the area of national senior team selection. Same person is coach in one stint, in the next as selector, so the give and take go on.
Whatever you defame Hockey India, the fact of matter is
they never interfered in team selection, still our legendary selectors and coaches took us to fifth position in Asia Cup, girls fared badly in the Junior World Cup.
Therefore, no crocodile tears will be shed on their sacking – and also to the fact how the power usurpers make them dance to their tunes.
They are at least courteous enough to say the present selectors are for one year.
Sadly for hockey, more the things change, things remain unchanged.
It is not cynical view, but the fact.
Welcome Balbir, Welcome back Govinda. Welcome Munir.
All these good friends of mine won’t take my calls for at lest next one year!
And, it is as immaterial as they become selectors.
Stars shine in the sky of Hockey India, and this is for sure.
First ask Brasa, our national coach, whether he needs a posse of selectors. Every European coach will ask, who.
Note: Politiking is the name of the game. Col. Balbir is in to please Pargat Singh whose stature has improved after the merger of Punjab State Hockey Associations; Munir is to please FIH boss; Govinda’s entry is HI’s effort to keep the doors open for KPS Gill’s faction — and the question is what should be done to please hockey?