The Telegraph: When sports goes to dogs, athletes rebel

By Jayesh Thaker
Additional reporting by A.S.R.P. Mukesh

The much-awaited open hockey league in Jamshedpur, which was to make a comeback after over a decade, has fallen victim to a common syndrome that plagues most sporting events in Jharkhand.

The tourney, organised by Jamshedpur Sporting Association (JSA), was supposed to kick off at JRD Tata Sports Complex from Friday, but has been deferred till March because the venue in Bistupur is “unplayable” following the annual dog show held there between January 6 and 8.

“The grounds are no longer fit for hockey matches. We cannot risk injuries. We shall announce a fresh date, one probably in March, once the grounds are made playable again,” said association secretary Avinash Kumar.

Insiders expressed concerns over when the league might be held. “I don’t know when the tournament will happen. In fact, I cannot say whether it will be held at all (at JRD complex),” said a member of JSA’s executive panel.

The disappointing development has whipped up an old debate: should sports venues be used for social events?

While authorities claim that space crunch and need for funds made it necessary to rent out stadiums for government and private functions, sportspersons begged to differ.

“The trend should be discontinued to revive sports. The open hockey league making a comeback in Jamshedpur was great news; but it being postponed because of ground conditions is a bad sign,” said former JSA secretary Harbhajan Singh who had represented India’s basketball team in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Hockey legend Sylvanus Dung Dung couldn’t agree more. “Why use stadiums for non-sporting events? Social events can be held at other venues,” said the Olympian who was part of the gold winning Indian outfit in Moscow.

A senior official of the SAI centre in Ranchi echoed Dung Dung. “Jamshedpur has many sprawling hotels. Why wasn’t the dog show held at one?”

Forget the canine hold-up. Come February 16-17, Jharkhand government will put up a grand show for global investors at mega sports complex in Hotwar, Ranchi.

Savitri Purty, former national hockey captain and now selector, said she had always been against stadiums being used for non-sporting activities. “There are several precedents of event managers borrowing stadiums and leaving them defaced. It takes months for repair funds to come and athletes bear the brunt.”

Lakhan Hansda, Jharkhand’s lone international cyclist, said it was unfortunate that the velodrome in Hotwar was not opened for practice, but the state was keen on hosting investors at the venue.

A SAI centre official said Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Morabadi was another favourite venue for government functions and cultural programmes. “After the events, ground woes last for months. Sportspersons are forced to practise on makeshift pavilions. Last year, fixing the ground took us eight months!”

Manohar Toppo, who had donned India hockey colours at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, voiced common fears: ” Aisa hota raha toh Jharkhand mein khel kabhi aagey nahin badhega (How will sports ever grow in Jharkhand if this trend continues)?”

Sudhir Dhibar, a former hockey player who had been part of the JSA league in its heydey, said a dog show stalling a tournament called for serious rethink on allowing stadiums for social events.

The open hockey league is to be played by eight teams after the knockout rounds. “We are receiving entries and registration is on. Let’s hope for a March date,” said JSA secretary Kumar, himself a former Bihar Ranji skipper.