Recent Lucknow Junior Nationals, a perspective

Last week saw Lucknow hosting junior hockey national championships. Not too many people knew about it, since the national media in Delhi or elsewhere did not deign it important to even mention in passing. The ongoing tussle for administrative supremacy in the sport may be one reason – who knows which tournament is official and which is not! – but the youngsters who did turn out for their respective state sides could have surely done with a little more encouragement.

Nevertheless, the tournament was a success, and mainly because of the organizers, who tried to keep in mind certain factors that most people don’t even think of. True, the venue of the competition, on the outskirts of the city and deep within Guru Govind Singh Sports College, made it impossible for common people to know of or come to watch the games. But then, the only other turf – at the SAI centre in Lucknow — is at the other end of the city, also on the outskirts. “We have now sent a proposal for a new turf and stadium in the middle of the city and it has also been okayed in principle; once the official approval comes, we will start work within the sports stadium in Gomti Nagar (one of the most upscale localities of Lucknow). It will have a new blue turf and 3000+ seating arrangements,” says RP Singh, organizing secretary of Hockey UP, adding they have already got 18 crores sanctioned for the purpose.

An Olympian, Dr Singh was in fact, instrumental in getting things in place. Most importantly, most of the teams were put up at the hostel at the venue itself, which meant they did not have to travel long to and from the venue. Others were at the KD Singh Babu stadium, a short distance away. What was more impressive was the breakfast and lunch spread at the venue, with everyone – from the organizers to special guests to media to the workers and labourers – free to walk in any time for their meal. “Having buffet instead of packed food ensures freshness, and why should we segregate people in food? It’s not like anyone will go bankrupt if a few extra people eat,” is Singh’s contention.

At the same time, several teams landed up too early or stayed back, much after their campaign ended but were allowed to stay without paying anything. Though the organizers are expected to take care of teams’ logistics, they are often told of the earliest possible reporting and latest possibly stay, beyond which most state associations charge extra. “My logic remains the same. These are kids, and many of them would have travelled out of their states for the first time. They did not sit down and make their travel plans; it must have been made by their respective associations. As a player, I have seen and experienced how players are treated. I don’t want to do the same to these kids,” he says.

For the media, too, the functioning was smooth. With proper and prompt press releases everyday – within half hour of the day’s play getting over – proper matchsheets and travel arrangements for the odd outstation reporter it was easy to get the details. And with the favourite teams dishing out some exciting hockey, there wasn’t much to complain about.

With the FIH high-performance course also underway at the same time in the city, making arrangements for 50 coaches was no mean task and that was also managed efficiently. Having been to Bhopal for the senior nationals last year, and Lucknow this time, I can safely say that smaller cities are much better hosts for such big events, provided they have the will to do so.