Madhya Pradesh government is going out of the way to promote hockey, and there is no doubt on that for anyone who would have watched the hockey events of the last six months.

Apart from reviving Obaidullah Cup last month, the government instituted a purse for the welfare of the former players with a handsdown contribution of Rs.1 crore. This is in addition to the same amount disbursed to women hockey players as a honororium when the girls demanded in vain gender parity with Hockey India.

However, petty politics and narrow mindedness of Hockey India, this time from those women who are in the HI set up, seemed to have put a break in the enthusiasm of the provincial government. This comes as a heavy cost to the cause of women team.

Hockey India, after granting them permission to organize an all India tournament — suddenly informed the organizers that the national players will not be permitted to take part in the tournament.

Ironically, the Indian women team and the probables are there in Bhopal in a camp where the new tournament will be organized.

Everybody in the know of hockey knows tournaments are the best way to prepare for major tournaments. Many even doubt the reasoning of having Test Series as a tool of preparation.

Against this backdrop, the Hockey India’s stubborn refusal to spare the girls for the tournament — that is taking place in the same city, that too at the cost of some orther organization — on the pretext of players getting injury, looks not only silly but stupid as well.

Indian girls are really weary of dull and drab camps that goes endlessly, tournaments are good for breaking the usual monotanous affair. In Bhopal, where last month the men’s Obaidullah Cup was organized, it attracted vast crowd. With full state sports department behind the women’s tournament, same crowd is expected. Our girls would have got a great atmosphere, perhaps they would have never played under such big crowds. Due to Hockey India’s stupidity, they will be missing this environment.

Indian girls will be going to New Zealand next month midway. Why to shield them now in the fear of injury. Its domestic tournament, coaches should know how much to press and how much workload to be applied in such tournament. Coach now is MK Kaushik he must be fairly aware and adept at all these routines.

As a player and coach I am sure he would have considered the tournament a god send, but we don’t have full details of the thinking of technical people there.

Hockey India did not organize single tournament in the last three seasons for men or women. At least men have n-number of home tournaments, there is no dearth of opportunities for them. There is no national or tournaments for these girls for so many years. If someone comes forward, those people who are supposed to keep the interest of the team, happily indulge in politicking.

Only one reason which seems to be behind the illogical refusal is, the MP government is BJP ruled, while Hockey India president is from other party. If this is the case, which seems as of now, why can’t Hockey India get a Chief Minister of their liking to come forward and organize Nationals?

That they will do if they have hockey in their heart. As we all know, everyone in the country is in competition with each other to kill the sport. Though they call themselves sports administrators!

About the tournament

The tournament gives the highest-ever prize money in the sphere of women’s hockey. The winner will get Rs 2 lac cash award while the runner-up Rs 1 lac. Third and fourth placed teams will get Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.

Eight teams including Central Railway Mumbai, Shahbad Academy (Haryana), Chandigarh Academy, Orissa Eleven, SAI Eleven, Madhya Pradesh State Women Hockey Academy, Uttar Pradesh Eleven and Haryana Eleven will vie for the top honours.

The tournament will be played on league-cum-knock-out basis with two pools having four teams each. The final’s will be held on April 30.