We’ve to learn from BCCI: Rajpal

Piyali Dasgupta, TNN

The captain of the Indian hockey team Rajpal Singh says that the team’s feat of beating arch-rivals Pakistan is not being recognised by anyone.

“The sports minister didn’t fare well in our expectations of him,” he said.

Reacting to the re-announcement of receiving ‘1.5 lakh, Rajpal added, “It was total injustice. It’s not just about 18 to 20 players who go play hockey, it’s about national pride, and they should have at least treated us well. Unless they encourage and motivate players, how can we promote the game? It’s very disappointing. We ought to have been rewarded well… It was wrong and this is not the way to treat the national players. Such incentives will not only demotivate us.”

Rajpal added, “Jab sponsorship ki baat hoti hain toh players ko pata hi nahi chalta hain ki kya ho raha hain. Even when we travel abroad the sports authority of India spends and takes care of us. We wear sponsor shirts but, pata nahi kyun. Kuch nahi milta woh shirt pehenkar. Every player in the team’s upset.”

So, what’s his take on the revised prize money? “We’re not against the government ‘coz they have a policy – they can’t pay players more than ‘3 lakh, if an Asian cup is won. And also if a team wins, you only get half the award money. Aur wohi 3 lakh aada karke humme 1.5 lakh diye hain.”

Has the popularity of cricket has overshadowed hockey, he said, “Agar hum cricket ko compare kare, BCCI ko hatake aur government ki baat kare toh cricket ko bhi utna hi izzat deti jitna hockey ko. But when they won the World Cup, then every state government facilitated their captain. Main apni baat nahi kah raha hoon, lekin hockey team ke captain ko kabhi bhi Dhoni ki tarah dekha nahi jaata hain.”

Talking about the game, he said that it’s every players’ duty to do well and that “the federation has a bigger role. As a product, hum kisi bhi cheez ko sale karte hain to marketing ki baat aa jaati hain. BCCI is more expert in that thinking approach,” he said.

“Mujhe lagta hain ki isme sharm bhi nahi karni chahiye ki agar hum BCCI ko bole ki humme hockey mein funding kijiye, aur aap humare liye sponsor le aao. Agar hum nahi kar sakte hain toh humme sikhna chahiye. Agar hum doosre desho se coach laa sakte hain toh hum yeh toh kar hi sakte hain.”

What’s the future of hockey? “I still feel that passion for playing hockey exits amongst everyone. Lekin yehi hain ki aisi hi bartav raha aane wale 10-12 saalon main toh yeh na ho ki yeh passion bhi katam ho jaaye.”

Talking about the sweeter side of life, he told us about his marriage to long-time GF Avneet Kaur Sidhu, a national-level shooter.

“Everyone needs to settle down in life, so shaadi toh har ekh ki honi hain aur meri bhi honi hain,” he joked.

“We haven’t yet got engaged as I have been so busy with all theses issues. May be in a day or two we shall organise a small function and get engaged. Avneet is also very busy right now. She’s a sport person and understands my passion for sports. We plan to marry very soon, but it will all depend on the time – when we both are free of commitments.”