women’s Hockey, a worst managed sport

The latest news break — cancellation of Junior gilrs team to Australia — should not surprise anyone who are familar with the administration of women hockey in India.

To say the least, the IWHF functions virtually from the residence of its clerk! Or one can even say that there is no IWHF physically. Because, after the office had to be vacated from the National Stadium and then from the Shivaji Stadium in Delhi, the properties were moved half to a clerk’s home and the rest to Secretary Amrit Bose’s home.

Because, the IWHF thrives on charity, they cannot think of paying rent.

Don’t think the IWHF is money starved. Men gets annual sponsorship to the tune of 1.6 to 1.9 crores, while this ladies too get Rs.1 crore from City Limousine India PVt Ltd alone. (This sponsor is so wise that they disburse portion of the money directly to players, so much is the IWHF’s credibility).

For many years now, the Government grant for women hockey is more than the women’s. If the IWHF cannot pay for an office, it has no moral right to call itself an organization.

Even the men’s federation, which has been dissolved, is housed in Patel Nagar in Delhi and behold the Gill faction is paying Rs.22000 as rent to say the world it exists. A federation that does not exist is physically present, and the one that is legally functioning does not exist — does not have an office!!! That the Gill’s office house owner might one day come with unsettled bill, as in the case of Pallava Hotel ,is a different matter.

The IWHF is a one women show. Indian women hockey functions at the sweet will of its Secretary Amrit Bose. She is so casual, auocratic that she thinks the world moves on her finger tips.

The successful retention of MK Kaushik as women coach has further enhanced her image!!

This lady argued with the Ministry that it is she who first got the papers done for Kaushik so that he should be with women federation only.

Why she has not shown the same spirit with respect to fulfilling official requirements with the Ministry?

India’s visit to Australia is taken in consultation with the Hockey Australia. If we cancel our tour in the eleventh hour, HA’s programmes will be upset. Which means, the country as a whole will lose its face, its credibility.

Does this Am-Always-Right lady bother such niceties?

Things are open in men’s hockey, those who are fault are always exposed. The women’s sphere is different. First, there is no office for one to go and verify fact. Second, if this Lady attends your phone, it means you got up from the right side of the bed tht day.

The most surprising thing here is, the same IWHF that cannot handle a tour plan properly, is fielding its candidate for the FIH Vice-President!

Vidya Stokes, IWHF chief is a mere figure head, hardly known to take interest in administration, except occasionally attending high-profile meetings.