Olympian Pargat Singh has demanded a national code for hockey; and a few things more. If nothing moves in the direction he seeks, the former ace defender will go on hunger strike on August 29, which happens to be the National Sports Day, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Dhyan Chand.
“I am appealing to the sporting fraternity to come together and do something for hockey. We have a code for everything that is declared national — including bird and animal — but hockey has never been recognised despite the glory that it brought,” Pargat reiterated at an interaction with the media here on Wednesday.
As chairman of the development committee of Hockey India, he, along with four others, would be involved in an intense process over the next fortnight to rope in a foreign expert.
Tough job
“It is a tough job and we have a few names in mind,” said Pargat. Among those who would be contacted are Paul Lissek of Germany and Jose Brasa of Spain. Brasa was India's coach until the Asian Games.
Pargat once again drew attention to the “sports mafia” that had harmed the interest of Indian sport. “The world has seen our sports character after the Commonwealth Games. The Olympic movement has been abused in this country and nothing illustrates it better than the fate of the top officials who sullied the nation's image. I wonder why they stick to a job if they have no passion to serve.”
Confessing that Indian hockey faces an uphill task, Pargat observed: “Hockey is being treated like a football — being kicked around aimlessly — by heartless officials. The state of hockey demands a discussion in Parliament. Hockey has to be accorded that importance. If not, I fear hockey will become history in our country.”
Pargat called for a proper mechanism to identify and groom qualified coaches. “This needs urgent attention. We don't have a single coach who can take Indian hockey forward. It is time we set this in motion.”
On India's immediate task of qualifying for the London Olympics, Pargat said, “Given the current scenario and set-up, it is highly unlikely for this team to meet that objective. It is very challenging but we can only hope. Even though there is total chaos as far as hockey is concerned, we can do it, provided hockey is given priority and national importance.”
