Four State players dropped

Wednesday dealt a double blow for the four Karnataka hockey players — goalkeeper Ranjitha, midfielder Rakshitha and stikers Kulsumbi and Saira Banu.

First they had to contend with a semifinal loss to Bombay in the 56th IHF Senior National women’s hockey championship before realising their names from Hockey India’s National selection camp for the FIH Champions Challenge I tournament had been struck out. The reason being, their decision to represent the State in the ‘unauthorised tournament.’

“It is very disappointing, but there is very little I can do,” said Hockey Karnataka Secretary AB Subbaiah. “The girls were told clearly not to participate in the unauthorised tournament as it will mean instant debarrment. They were asked to report to the camp, but having chosen the State, sadly they tend to lose a chance to get a national call-up.”

The Bangalore Nationals conducted by IHF — who are in war with HI — has been in the news for all the wrong reasons right from the start.

First, many teams including defending champions Railways pulled out after HI’s letter that threatened their disqualification.

On Tuesday, less than 12 hours before the State team was to take on Bombay, Ranjitha, Rakshitha, Kulsumbi and sister Saira were told to pack their bags immediately and report to Delhi or risk elimination from the camp.

This follows a court order clearly instructing both the disputing bodies not to trouble the players until the issue on who will control the affairs of the sport is resolved by the Supreme Court.

“Yes, the issue is there in front of the court,” said Subbaiah. “These players got a call up based on their performance in the Nationals conducted by HI. I know it’s hard on them, trying to balance between two factions, but unless there is clear resolution I can’t comment on the future.”

While there is no let-off in the battle between HI and IHF, the ultimate sufferers are the players and this latest episode is just another evidence.