WSH: A dream or a reality?

S. THYAGARAJAN

It is deeply distressing to digest the disappointment over the deferment of the World Series of Hockey (WSH).

How will the factors attributed to delaying the event until February 29, 2012, become invalid after the Olympic qualifier in Delhi? Is there an assumption that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) be compelled to change its criteria for allowing players to participate in an unsanctioned competition?

Such interrogations cannot be over-simplified in an all-will-be-well tenor. For Hockey India, the relief from the pressure of witnessing an ambitious and a professionally managed event being staged in its domain is not easily measurable.

Apart from having its way by placing every hurdle possible and ensuring that the WSH is sullied in the end, HI has accomplished a pyrrhic victory.

If the Indian Hockey Federation, which brought in Nimbus Sports on to the scene with an unprecedented prize money format for players, had taken advantage of the FIH assurance of not interfering with the WSH, the whole process would have triumphed.

But it read signals wrongly then went on to needlessly complicate the issue through a ministry brokered share in power with the HI. That earned FIH’s displeasure.

Drastic measures

Miffed by some related developments that went against its plans after the World Cup in New Delhi, the FIH was compelled to take drastic measures; it pulled out the Champions Trophy and began issuing threats of disaffiliation if two units were to exercise control. The IOA, not surprisingly, joined the chorus.

The hardening stance of the all parties triggered a negative impact. The puzzle now is whether the agencies involved will ensure a smooth conduct of the WSH from February 29 to April 1.

All the preparatory work by Nimbus Sports has been torpedoed. To start from scratch again is no easy task.

Both in concept and composition the WSH was designed to carve out a new dimension to competitive hockey. That it should be shattered even before a take off is a very poor advertisement.

From the players’ perspective the developments are tragic. For the Indians, the possibility of playing in the Olympics and also make a fortune may be a happy augury. But what about the large number of foreign players?

A majority of them might have sacrificed a lot to be part of WSH. For instance, it is reported that around 10 Pakistanis have signed, ignoring the threat of suspension from international hockey. For them, now it is a neither-here-nor-there situation. This may be the case for others too.

If the WSH fails to come through on February 29 in the face of another disqualification threat from FIH then the career of these signatories is doomed forever. Will the Indian players be exempted if India makes the grade for the Olympics? Will HI plead for their cause or simply watch the fun from the sidelines?

A section that is inimical to the involvement of Nimbus Sports in WSH is busy circulating e-mails over the impending legal battle confronting the broadcaster in cricket. .

With its own credibility slipping on account of the suspension of the contract with BCCI, Nimbus Sports has a lot to explain over re-launching WSH in February.

Predictably, none has won. The pre-postponement rhetoric and polemics have shaken the faith over a unit governing the sport with professional efficiency.

Players are the worst hit. They were traded like pawns in the power-game played by ego-centric officials masquerading as protectors and promoters.

When will all this end? Or is it a persisting malady without a remedy?