End the Charlesworth charade

Confusion still prevails over whether, and in what capacity, Ric Charlesworth could continue his association with Indian hockey. What is clear is that given the unsavoury interaction over the last couple of weeks nothing positive can emerge even if the arrangement was salvaged. Far too much has been said, by both sides, all of which found its way to the public domain. Now it remains a moot point whether one of the few men deemed worthy of being bracketed with Dhyan Chand was as good off the field as on it (he did a splendid job with the Aussie lasses), but to be honest he never had a chance to prove his worth here. The IHF’s previous dispensation never wanted him and consistently resisted and resented his being foisted upon it by the government (the SAI), and the international body that seems more keen than the domestic one to restore the game to glory in this land. His role was never well defined, and it was farcical the way he “missed out” on accompanying Indian sides to international events. He fell between multiple stools, never really occupying one. It would be simplistic to conclude he got caught in the IHF-SAI-IOA cross-fire, he did draw some fire to himself. Hence it’s best the chapter be closed: he utilise his talents elsewhere, Indian hockey continue to muddle along.

The Charlesworth charade cannot be seen in isolation. That the German coach who preceded him also quit in frustration points to not just a mess in IHF affairs but massive ego problems among those running the sport ~ the manner in which first KPS, then MS scoffed at Charlesworth’s capabilities suggested that “Gills” of a feather flock together. And those who had been coaching the national side also indicated they preferred doing things their way. So it is not a personality-based problem, perhaps those running Indian hockey refuse to recognise that the game has changed ~ for better or worse ~ and they have been left behind. Their non-cooperation must be factored-in to any fresh arrangement. There’s no point in seeking external assistance, then scuttling it before it casts off. Maybe the fact that Aussies don’t speak in the same idiom as sportsmen in the subcontinent also requires consideration: Greg Chappell, Charlesworth, Geoff Lawson…