Tribal star Ignace Tirkey has again been ignored by the paper conscious, bureaucrats-driven Arjuna Award selection process.

Ignace has applied for the award this year also, but striker Prabhjot Singh has been preferred by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. Though official communication is yet to be made, there is no secret the Punjab Star has got it.

We do not doubt or question the award given to the striker. However, in terms of merit, contributory role in Indian hockey teams’ successes, Ignace’s claim cannot be overlooked.

Since making international senior debut in 2001, Ignace has hardly been dropped, meaning he drew confidence of every coach who came to train Indian team in succession. Secondly, he led India in vital tournaments. Third, the Asia Cup success merits a comparison here.

India played the 2003 Asia Cup without Jugraj Singh, as he was injured. This has burdened the defence. As a hardworking left half, he supplemented as defending midfielder and to the delight of the nation scored the winning goal against Pakistan in the final. The fashion with which he posted the goal, even as the ball just touched the striking circle, with a strong back lift, Ignace ignited the ball inside the circle. Hardly did anyone see such a beautiful being scored by a midfielder.

The significance of that goal lays on two aspects. First, the Asia Cup was held after four years, and India won it first time. Secondly, the win enabled India to qualify for the 2006 World Cup – till then India took the route of Qualifying tournament to stake its slot at the World Cups.

Now let us take the case of Prabhjot Singh. He was hailed as the comeback kid in 2007. Surely, after dropped by German import coach Gerrard Rach after the Athens Olympics, he had a hiatus for two and half years till he was resurrected in 2007.

He was star of Asia Cup that India won at Chennai. It was held after the Asian Hockey Federation made it clear henceforth the Asia Cup will be played every two years and the Chennai event is not a qualifier for the next World Cup. This is to state the stakes at Chennai were far less than the one at Kuala Lumpur where Ignace ignited Indian delight for the sport.

Further, due to the AHF decision, the Koreans, who reached the finals did not bring their strong team, which India won 7-2. No question of players denied their due credit for the stupendous success, but the mere fact that four Indians were among the scorer in the finals speaks for the truth that the credit for the success should go to the team, not to the individuals.

Therefore, it is strongly felt the Asia Cup 2003 needed to be given more weight. Chennai edition had the home advantage while the KL was not.

Strictly speaking the paper driven and bureaucrat propelled Committee could have considered goals as the criteria – as strikers are popular than the midfielder in general – though endurance, exceptional talent, timely contribution for the crucial wins, and other such aspects should have been considered.

It is unfortunate people who sit at the deciding chairs do not seem to approach the task on hand in a holistic manner, rather than dictated by the media created image.

In this year’s case Zafar Iqbal was the hockey member of the Arjuna Award Selection Committee. Zafar, Ajit Pal or any other former stars, you cannot expect them to anything better than what they are known for. It is a well known fact they don’t follow the game critically, but only to criticize. What they surely expertise at is their playing years and beyond that they not only lost their career in winning bread and butter but did not wish to keep in touch with what happens elsewhere.

Therefore, it is not pity that the likes of Ignace, Balbir Singh (Western Railways), Shakeel Ahmad and other performers continue to suffer for want of Arjuna recognition. Whereas even those who played for India just four years walked away with it.

Next time whenever a former great expresses his grievances – take them with a realization the judges those times were former greats!