Indian hockey has reached its nadir. The boycott of the training camp by players demanding their “due” has paralysed the game’s administration, with 45 days left for the World Cup in Delhi. Monetary remuneration is a complex issue. Hockey might have brought India eight Olympic gold medals but for decades it was an amateur sport. Even today, hockey fails to appeal to big sponsors. What hurts players most is that even when good sponsorship deals are struck, their rewards are negligible and payments erratic. Hockey India, a mechanism created by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that is yet to be formalised in a democratic election, has remained apathetic to players’ concerns. When the International Hockey Federation (FIH) accorded recognition, it was on the understanding that the national body would be formed by November 2009. The deadline was extended in view of the difficulties encountered in merging associations in each State. But the insistence of Hockey India’s affiliation panel on a mandatory endorsement of the State Olympic Associations led to controversies. The threat of legal action by a few delayed the constitution of the voters’ list. The FIH and the Sports Ministry saw the necessity of nominating observers for holding fair and free elections. The FIH named a senior vice-president, Antonio von Ondorza, and Union Sports Minister and former Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill tasked the former legal advisor to the Election Commission, S.K. Mendiratta, with the responsibility of ensuring that democratic norms were observed. The delay in granting affiliation to Punjab triggered a heated debate. This obliged the Ministry to issue fresh guidelines, one of which stipulates that the Returning Officer should be an independent nominee, preferably a retired High Court or district judge.
The takeover of hockey administration after India failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympiad is yet to produce tangible benefits. The quality of governance by the IOA-led Ad Hoc Committee and then by Hockey India has been appalling. The dismal record of 2009 speaks to this. India has tumbled to the 12th place in world rankings, the lowest ever, and missed for the first time a podium finish at the Asia Cup. Indian hockey needs to be liberated from unelected power brokers. A command structure that is competent, democratic, and transparent in its functioning and gives primacy to the raising of standards and the welfare of players must be formed in the elections scheduled for February 7. The FIH and the Sports Ministry hold the key to this.
Keywords: Indian hockey, crisis, FIH, Sports Ministry, training camp, players, monetary remuneration, complex issue
Indian hocky team is good. Rajpal,Sandeep,Halappa and Shivendra... they fight for Indian team; I appreciate them. It`s good time for Indian team.
I think it is high time we started a campaign to popularise HOCKEY at school level so that we can save our national game. BCCI must come forward to sponsor HOCKEY players and enhance its PR.
I think what they did is correct...they are playing for the country and they should be respected. They are asking for the amount which belongs to them. If the hockey federation can't afford or if they don't have money (as they say} then the hockey team should given to some private organistion so that they may lead the Indian sport.
I think that whenever you can't pay to anybody for any work nobody can do the work properly.
Why should we take part in the world cup if they can't even pay the players properly? The sports ministry should stand behind the players even in times of poor performance. It is time we had more sponsors[rich ones] for hockey and other games.
The fruit has rotten to the core. The Indian hockey is a classic case studies of how ill-administration and politics can cause the downfall of a sport in India. The players are the last to blame in this downfall and the first to get the blame.
Unsatisfied players put a bad show on field. The hockey players should be paid well in national interest. Hockey has brought a lot of stature and reputation for the country in past; it's time to redeem the magic.
It is amateurish on the part of hockey players to raise the issue of remuneration when only 45 days are left to kick off Hockey world cup. It's high time they started doing serious preparation for world cup especially when hockey is down to dirt . This is not the first instance that Indian hockey has notoriously come to limelight. Similar thing has happened in past where IHF has sent its tier II team to play in a tournament. Indian Hockey is on the verge of collapse if prompt steps are not taken to rejuvenate its existence.
Red-Tapism and bureaucracy are hampering the game of hockey. Minister of State(Indt Charge)for sports in India, Mr.Gill should intervene and set the path straight. The players should be paid their dues immediately.
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