That the Karnataka State Hockey Association is the shining example of how a State Hockey Association, or for that matter any sports bodies, should function is a well-known fact. The vibrant body is almost on the verge of completing a mega infrastructure project is the latest feather on its cap. KSHA has recently put in place a master plan by which its famous Hockey Club is proposed to be one of the best clubs in the garden city. An whopping amount of Rs.2.25 Crore has been mobilized to create additional facilities in the first phase of what s2h wishes to call the ‘Operation Club House’. The Hockey Club House functions on the Rhenius street side of the KSHA stadium, where the KSHA office is also located. The Hockey Club has about 500 permanent members, functioning for more than two decades.

The facilities that form the part of the Operation Club House is construction of a Swimming Pool, 14 Air-conditioned Guest Rooms in the front block, a modern kitchen fitted with the good equipment, Upgraded Gymnasium & Health Club with an area capacity of 2000 sq.ft., a Multi Purpose Hall (to hold Conference, Meetings etc.,), a Family Party Hall, an A/C Bar Lounge and a Children Park. The front block will have a lift facility too.

From where does the money come?

“It is an arduous task, but we in the KSHA sat together and worked out a plan. Accordingly, we have nearly mobilized the required amount. Our approach has been simple: fund constraints should not deter us from postponing the efforts to create the need felt facilities. Any delay in extending such facilities would put the Club behind others and we may be called a static body. So the answer for getting such stigma removed is to take bold steps, which we were not averse to take”, says the energetic secretary of KSHA, Kannan Krishnamurthy.

S2h understands how the fund was mobilized – Loans from banks, deposits from membership and enrolling new members.

The Finance Committee was pressed into action to prepare the details which were duly approved by the various mechanisms within the KSHA.

The mobilization schemes were pragmatic and profitable too. The Fixed Deposit Scheme for the members, for instance, offer 1% percent interest more than what is normally paid by the banks.

“We appealed to the members to repose faith and confidence with the Association as far as repaying the deposited amount together with the interest. We bore upon them that the Extraordinary General Body Meeting (in 2006) gave its approval after completely satisfied with the cash flow chart explanation presented by the Executive Council. We could convince the members that their funds deposited with us are absolutely safe and what not, it would also fetch the best competitive interest compared with that of the Banks”, asserts Krishnamurthy, also a former international umpire.

The enrolment offer is also a hit.

Unlike many SHAs where the membership is ‘Closed Once For All’ the generous KSHA opened a special membership drive for players. Significantly, it offered them voting rights too. A great step because the present set of office bearers would not bother who in the process would win the next elections! Right from veteran MP Ganesh, Ashish Ballal, AB Subbaiah down to State players like Amar Aiyamma grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Each of course had to shell out Rs. 70,000. About … lac came into the KSHA kitty this way.

The Fixed Deposit Scheme, membership drive and banks loans all went the way anticipated, as the planning was done realistic basis. Various construction activities are going on smoothly, and accordingly to Krishnamurthy everything will be ready by early next year.

It is pertinent to note here that only two SHAs of Indian Hockey Federation have their own infrastructure including hockey ground, the other being the Bombay Hockey Association. Now that the KSHA has come out with the grand plans, will the BHA take the cue and improve the things in Mumbai?

The KSHA’s efforts are indeed praiseworthy because once the all said facilities are put in place, they will all be revenue spinners. The KSHA will not only able to return all the loans in the timeframe it worked out, but will also make benefits, which would obviously flow into the development of hockey in the region.

We, the hockey watchers, can feel satisfied over the fact that at least here is a SHA which is doing things just correct.

The Indian Hockey Federation too take a look at KSHA’s activities and try to do something solid for the game at thier level, instead of extending a begging bowl to the government all the time.

Pix: Top: Secretary Krishnamurthy. Bottom: RK Shetty, the KSHA President.