Teams watch as ego clash is played out
By: Anantha Subramanyam K
The crux of the issue was that two games were scheduled for the same time at the venue resulting in neither match being played. The only action that took place was a fracas between the two organising committees
The whole nation stood behind the Indian hockey team despite their loss to arch rivals Pakistan in the FIH Champions Trophy semi-final held in Bubaneshwar on December 13. The game and the loss had taken the backseat, what with some players of the Pakistan team making obscene gestures at the spectators that sparked a row. Also, it was not lost on fans of the country that the team had been playing good hockey in recent times despite controversies dogging the national game.
But what happened in Bengaluru on Saturday defies the very spirit and ethics that one associates with sport. The turn of events at the Hockey Stadium in the city would only make fans hang their head in shame. The crux of the issue was that two games were scheduled for the same time at the venue resulting in neither match being played. The only action that took place was a fracas between two organising committees – one that warranted police intervention.
Hockey Karnataka went out to play their match at 4 pm on what was the inaugural day of their league championship that is on till January 15. Meanwhile Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA), who have been holding their A division matches since December 15, which is supposed to conclude on January 9, also landed in the field. Their match too was scheduled for 4 pm. A war of words ensued when the four teams descended on the ground to play their respective matches.
Secretary of Hockey Karnataka, Olympian and Arjuna awardee AB Subbaiah claimed that they organise hockey league matches around the same time every year in order to spot talent and select the state team for National Games.
“We are the official hockey body of the state and have a deadline to select the teams, both men and women, for National Games. And we ask for this ground for a very few days as our event here is a matter of prestige to the nation. We have been playing three matches on a daily basis so that we can complete the tournament within the stipulated time. KSHA organises only one match per day. The same teams appear in A, B and C divisions. Their only motive is to keep the stadium for themselves and to scuttle our efforts to play here,” he said.
Subbaiah displayed the letter of approval to conduct the crucial tournament taken from the concerned departments. Secretary of KSHA K Krishnamurthy stated also that their tournament too was an important one and their tournament had reached the crucial elimination rounds, and so could not be played at any other time; their matches had to be held only at 4 pm.
“We are rightful owners of the ground. We manage and maintain it to international standards throughout the year and more than anything else, we have this tournament running from December 15 till January 9. We too have taken the necessary permissions. Ours is an annual affair. They are the ones barging in and creating trouble,” he stormed.
Krishnamurthy also said that members of Hockey Karnataka always had one or the other pretext, like the National Games now, to have their way with the government.
Unable to bring about a resolve, Ashoknagar police asked the warring parties to bring in writing a proper schedule with timings that don’t clash in order to play at the stadium.
The crux of the issue was that two games were scheduled for the same time at the venue resulting in neither match being played. The only action that took place was a fracas between the two organising committees
The whole nation stood behind the Indian hockey team despite their loss to arch rivals Pakistan in the FIH Champions Trophy semi-final held in Bubaneshwar on December 13. The game and the loss had taken the backseat, what with some players of the Pakistan team making obscene gestures at the spectators that sparked a row. Also, it was not lost on fans of the country that the team had been playing good hockey in recent times despite controversies dogging the national game.
But what happened in Bengaluru on Saturday defies the very spirit and ethics that one associates with sport. The turn of events at the Hockey Stadium in the city would only make fans hang their head in shame. The crux of the issue was that two games were scheduled for the same time at the venue resulting in neither match being played. The only action that took place was a fracas between two organising committees – one that warranted police intervention.
Hockey Karnataka went out to play their match at 4 pm on what was the inaugural day of their league championship that is on till January 15. Meanwhile Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA), who have been holding their A division matches since December 15, which is supposed to conclude on January 9, also landed in the field. Their match too was scheduled for 4 pm. A war of words ensued when the four teams descended on the ground to play their respective matches.
Sensing trouble, representatives of both factions approached Ashoknagar police to intervene and allow the matches to go on smoothly. Even police officers were not able to bring truce as both parties stuck to their guns, resulting in neither game getting started.
Secretary of Hockey Karnataka, Olympian and Arjuna awardee AB Subbaiah claimed that they organise hockey league matches around the same time every year in order to spot talent and select the state team for National Games.
“We are the official hockey body of the state and have a deadline to select the teams, both men and women, for National Games. And we ask for this ground for a very few days as our event here is a matter of prestige to the nation. We have been playing three matches on a daily basis so that we can complete the tournament within the stipulated time. KSHA organises only one match per day. The same teams appear in A, B and C divisions. Their only motive is to keep the stadium for themselves and to scuttle our efforts to play here,” he said.
Subbaiah displayed the letter of approval to conduct the crucial tournament taken from the concerned departments. Secretary of KSHA K Krishnamurthy stated also that their tournament too was an important one and their tournament had reached the crucial elimination rounds, and so could not be played at any other time; their matches had to be held only at 4 pm.
“We are rightful owners of the ground. We manage and maintain it to international standards throughout the year and more than anything else, we have this tournament running from December 15 till January 9. We too have taken the necessary permissions. Ours is an annual affair. They are the ones barging in and creating trouble,” he stormed.
Krishnamurthy also said that members of Hockey Karnataka always had one or the other pretext, like the National Games now, to have their way with the government.
Unable to bring about a resolve, Ashoknagar police asked the warring parties to bring in writing a proper schedule with timings that don’t clash in order to play at the stadium.
