Fight Against Age Menace: We are happy – and why?

Soon after KPS Gill’s regime was dissolved by the Indian Olympics Association, and a new set of officials and players were put in charge of running the hockey affairs, this writer wrote two letters to the then Ad-hoc Committee.

The first letter, which is now available in the website under Best Pick (Five Mantras), was handed over personally to Randhir Singh, in the presence of Olympian Jagbir Singh. Subsequently, Md. Aslam acknowledged the receipt of the letter, though unfortunately — but expectedly — nothing was done.

The second one was written on 21st July 2008, within a week from the Hyderabad Junior Asia Cup victory. This letter, which is reproduced below, was necessitated due to two factors – 1. Recurring over-age problem and 2. A visiting Malaysian coach’s accusation of India of fielding over-age players, this agency report was disclaimed subsequenly by the quoted coach.

This second letter did not get any response till date, but therein suggested idea of names and date of births of every age-group probables be displayed on websites to elicit public complaints seemed to have seen the light of the day.

Reports indicate the Hockey India people are ow talking about publicizing probables of age group which is Step 1 in my said letter. I request the readers to go through the letter and understand the meaning behind other two steps as well.

That’s why we at stick2hockey.com are happy at least we tried our best, and gave a solution to a recurring problem.

To
Letter No. KA/Hockey/103, Dated 21st July 2008
Shri Md. Aslam, Convenor, Adhcke Cmmittee, IOA, New Delhi.

Sub: Suggestion to overcome age problem

While congratulating for the Jr. Asia Cup victory, I wish to remind you that this is the ideal opportunity to erase a problem Indian hockey is accused of – over age of players

Coaches of other countries rake up this in every tournament, spoiling the image of Indian hockey. India won the Jr. World cup in 2001, but none from the team got the FIH’s Young Player of the Year Award that year, as the western world perhaps doubt our honesty.

Considering the Jr. World Cup is a year away, I suggest the following to get rid of this image. It is easy to implement, could be achieved with some spade work and PR sense.

Step 1: After selecting 40 odd players, display their date of birth as exists in their passport in any website and circulate to media

Step 2: Invite coaches, institution, schools, tournament organizers, employers and public to provide proof or clue if the age of any player notified is incorrect

Step 3: A Committee of Jr. Team chief coach, an education, and a doctor and a media person will scrutinize; find the veracity of claims and if found correct, will suggest scientific means to determine the age of disputed players.

Step 2 and 3 will be done incamera, meaning all details will not be divulged even if some players are found guilty and not included in the team. Ad hoc committee will resent things in such a way it means business and the players are not treated vindictively. Just by doing this, the sincerity officials to stem the rot will get highlighted and at the same time guilty players career will not be allowed to suffer, except that they won’t play for the country.

If it is done, media will be doubly careful before writing age issue on hearsay because the administration is seen to be serious about, are doing everything possible to curb the menace. This image make-over is a must to send right message to the hockey world.

We can effectively stop the mis-information campaign with this Exercise. Even if we have to secretly sacrifice one or two guilty players, it is worth because we have enough talent and time for the junior world cup.

In the long run, the grass root coaches will stop indulging in reducing age of players, because they know the administration is serious and will find it out their folly. Gradually, the menace can be eradicated once and for all.

Yours faithfully, K. Arumugam

NOTE: In India in majority of cases, if you suggest or write something to authorities they take it as somebody making room before coming for favour, and not sharing one’s expertise and concern. Secondly, acknowledging somebody’s letter is considered a sin, is it below dignity for those in chair? We never know.