The recent recall of Manjinder Kaur for the national camp after being in wilderness for last two years marks a watershed in the former captain’s colourful career that spans more than a decade. Her inclusion in the current World Cup Qualifier camp at Lucknow also marks a great victory for her commitment to the game, faith in herself and optimism amidst adversity.

Since winning a silver in the last Asian Games and Asia Cup, Manjinder career came to a grinding halt partly due to her own making and mostly due to mishandling of the affairs by the insensitive Indian Women Hockey Federation.

Like three of her famed collegues, Pritam Siwach, Sita Gossain, Sandeep Kaur, who all started their career together in 1990, she too stayed away from the Olympic Qualifier camp in early 2000. This was an (in)communication trap laid by some vested interests of the IWHF in which these gazelles fell easily.

Without these stars, favourite India failed to post even a token win at the Milton Keynes Qualifier last year.

After an inquiry, a sub-committee of the IWHF fixed the responsibility of India’s failure in the Qualifier with the Secretary of IWHF, manager, coach and players in that order while recommending a one-year ban for the players concerned.

However, timely intervention of genial president of IWHF Mrs. Vidya Stokes diffused the matter in an adroit manner. The girls were asked to tender a regret letter explaining their absence to the Railway Board which they belong while other three indicted were let scot-free. By this she saved her organisation from criticism and opened the doors for the players to return.

Except Sandeep, who was latter banned from international participation for one year, other three girls tendered the letter. Yet, while Pritam and Sita were recalled for subsequent conditioning camps late last year, the claim of Manjinder, the youngest of them all, was ignored for no valid reasons. That too with no matching replacement for the inside forward position in the mould of Manjinder anywhere in the horizon.

Pritam did not join the camps as she was on the mother’s way then.

“When Pritam and Sita were recalled, I was happy though I was disappointed I was not there. But I was sure my turn will come. But frankly, as days dragged on and on, my hopes did not recede as many would have thought. I was more determined than ever.” Said Manjinder on her stop over at Delhi before proceeding to Lucknow camp.

Her determination was well evident in the recently held Inter-Railway tournament at Ludhiana where her outfit Northern Railway annexed the title. She was in her elements in the intensely fought tournament as she used to be in her early days. Despite undergoing the personal trauma of not being in the national team, she dazzled her best in the tournament with her patented penalty corner defence and quick silver attacks.

It is also gathered a few selectors present there expressed their surprise why such a player’s services are not utilized for the benefit of the country.

Probably they were not aware that the Sports Authority of India has cleared her name for the camp a month ago, yet the same vicious circle in the IWHF stalled it again. Vide its letter No.11(1)/SAI/TW/HOC-W/CC/2000-01 dated 14th March, SAI has included her name among the campers. Yet, while asking for clearance from the Railway Board, the IWHF missed out her name. When the folly was brought to the notice of the President, she herself cleared Manjinder’s name paving way for the much awaited return.

That was why when the stars Pritam Siwach, Manjinder Kaur and Sita Gossain met at New Delhi Railway station on Sunday 22nd of this month, they were emotional. Last Asian Games captain Pritam was there to receive Manjinder and Sita who were coming from Jalandhar and helped them to board another train bound for Lucknow, with food pockets enough to feed for another day.

Pritam, who recently gave birth a baby boy, is all hopeful India will do better in the New Zealand Test Series with the inclusion of Manjinder. “ I foresee return of good olden days” she said with her characteristic chuckle.

Coach A.K. Bansal is also a happy man. “Now I have options” , he said.

There cannot be different opinion as to the return of the 26-year old star performer.