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Problems galore for WSH

2011-10-15 13:10:00

World Series Hockey has the potential of doing an IPL for Indian hockey. But stiff opposition from Hockey India and International Hockey Federation might prove to be its undoing. Ajeyo Basu looks into the problems the tourney is facing and the implications they could have on India’s national game

The World Series Hockey (WSH) is a prime example of how politics is destroying the national game.

An eight-team tournament on the lines of the hugely popular Indian Premier League (IPL) in cricket, the $2 million WSH might just be the required medicine to rejuvenate and revitalise Indian hockey.

Roping in some of the best players from India and around the world, along with some of the most eminent coaches the game has to offer, the event, scheduled to run from December 15 to January 22, promises to be nothing short of a dream come true for hockey fans.

Along with several Indian stars, the WSH has signed 200 international players, who will be selected by the franchisees according to a highly democratic draft system. The eight coaches are all highly talented professionals, including multiple Olympic champion Roelant Oltmans of Holland, who is also the world’s most successful coach. Former India coaches Vasudevan Bhaskaran, Harendra Singh, Rajinder Singh, Jose Brasa, former national assistant coach Gundeep Singh, former Indian captain Jude Felix and current assistant coach of the German team Andrew Meredith complete the list.

Apart from bringing the crowds back to the hockey fields, playing with the best players and coaches in the world will help the Indian players improve their skills. The WSH will also be a financial bonanza for the players and make hockey a viable career option for the youngsters. This is an important aspect since one of the facts that is holding Indian hockey back is that it is not an attractive career option.

But the ambitious project has run into rough weather even before it has managed to take off. Even the launch of the event was shrouded in controversy and attending it proved costly for star Indian players Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh, who were both suspended by Hockey India (HI) for associating with an event to be held under the auspices of rival Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has also thrown its weight behind the HI by declaring that the WSH is an unsanctioned event.

But the hockey fraternity is extremely bitter at the politics and rivalry between the two federations. Slamming the HI for trying to sabotage the WSH, Baskaran asserted that the cash-rich tournament will be extremely beneficial for the national game.

“Indian hockey will definitely benefit from the WSH. HI has not done anything worthwhile in the last three years. Top quality international players and coaches will play here. The players will get huge amount of money and there will be television coverage. It will be good for the game only. They (HI) should support this. Sorry to say this, but they are acting against the interests of Indian hockey,” Baskaran told The Pioneer.

The HI has already warned players and coaches, asking them not to associate with the WSH. But Baskaran asserted that there would be no problems. “Why should they face problems? This is not cricket. No player is contracted with the IHF or HI. No umpire is contracted to the HI or FIH. The HI cannot take any action against Indian players. Players do not get money by playing for India. Their respective departments, where they have a job, take care of that. Unlike cricket, none of the hockey players have central or zonal contracts. So in what way will these players be punished?” he pointed out.

The former India captain also questioned FIH’s right to interfere in the internal matters of Indian hockey and criticised the world body for supporting the HI on the issue.

“I do not understand what the function of FIH is? I do not agree with FIH because we should either accept the Government of India’s approval or IOA. Most of the IOA officials who recognised the HI are all in jail. What is their legitimacy? The FIH should stay away from this politics. If the Government, IHF and HI sit together, then only we can solve this problem. If none of the parties are willing to budge from their respective positions, then this will never end,” he said.

“Why is the FIH is not involved in Pakistan? Even in Malaysia, men and women’s teams are not functioning together, as per the (FIH) constitution. Why is the FIH not going after them? As a former player I am not supporting the IHF or HI. I am just saying that the FIH should not be involved in Indian hockey,” he added.

Harendra also endorsed the WSH and opined that it would help to make hockey an attractive career option. “The youth in the metros is not involved with hockey because it is not financially attractive. But the WSH will address that issue. Financially, it will secure the players’ lives. The WSH will bring the best players in the world to India. There will be television coverage, people will see fast and exciting hockey,” he said. “It will be good for the players.”

Welcoming a similar tournament proposed by the HI, which is due to start in 2013, Harendra brushed off any IPL-ICL situation in hockey.

“Any tournament of this nature is welcome. The exposure, the experience of playing with world class players will be good for our boys. It will benefit the players, it will benefit Indian hockey,” he said.

Keeping in mind the immense benefits that the WSH may bring, the HI should refrain from opposing the venture. In the interest of hockey, HI needs to whole-heartedly support the venture. At the very least, it could choose to remain on the sidelines and allow the event to proceed without a hitch.

Dailypioneer