Dr. Vikas Dhawan’s resignation is a huge setback for women’s team.

Indian women hockey team’s long standing physio Dr. Vikas Dhawan’s resignation is a huge setback for the Indian women team.

Vikas, a hugely popular physio with the girls, had to tender resignation early last month, as Hockey India would not honour any of the commitments it made to him while he was drafted in as a support staff.

Dhawan has been with the women’s team dis-continually since early 2004. The young sports physio is basically responsible for not only taking care of fitness part of the team, but also successfully rehabilitating some of the key but injury-prone players.

One can say with a degree of authority that his contribution to the team’s cause in major tournaments such as last Asia Cup has been commendable. If players like Saba, Surinder and till recently Mamta Kharab are still active and making impact on the outcome of the results, due credit must go to Vikas. Not for nothing the entire team likes him.

Liked by every player in the team, young Vikas used to bend backwards in pursuing matters of interest to the team, besides offering his professional services.

This writer was witness during the last World Cup in Madrid and as recently as at Bangkok (Asia Cup), his room bell kept on ringing all the time, as players used to queue up for one reason or other. He certainly worked overtime.

“It was an emotional decision I had to take. I was assured of a sponsorship amount by Hockey India and then increment every year. I have not been paid anything. I did make polite representations many times, but no body cared. Now that I have many commitments I have to make a decision, and had to seek other avenues”, Vikas said.

It is gathered he has joined a big company recently.

It is a matter of about 20,000 a month. This qualified doctor is paid monthly by Sports Authority of India.

Hockey India, it is understood, assured a sponsorship amount of Rs. 10,000 per month and then increment of same amount. These two had not been honoured.

Nowadays doctors rake in moolahs in India, their qualified services are not easily available, even if available it comes at huge cost. This young doctor has sacrificed many offers in the interest of hockey, and could not do so endlessly. He was expecting some improvement in the situation which is not happening.

It is surprising the same Hockey India that sends useless fellows as team officials, who divest their duties once landing on other countries, leaving the coaching staff to shoulder extra burden, could not meet a petty additional amount a qualified professional with the team rightfully demands.

Vikas certainly regrets he had to leave the scene when each month India will face a major tournament stating July.

It is gathered more than money the feeling that nobody bothers his concern seem to be the reason for his indignation.

Vikas did not accompany the team for New Zealand tour last month. He has resigned before that.

It is unfortunate now a novice has straightaway been given the charge of senior team in his place.

The least authorities concerned could have done was to consult him to get a suitable successor, a service which he offered in his resignation letter.

Our people are least concerned about team winning or losing. Why will they bother about the sensibilities of a support staff, and avail his advice.