Cricket Vs Hockey : Case Study
There are two news items which provide contrasting case study on the state of organization of Cricket and Hockey in India. News items in question are
a- India vs. Australia Test series venue and schedule have been just announced.
b- India Hockey Coach, Rajinder Pal Singh has been sacked.
You might wonder what is the contrast over here. Let me explain. Athens Olympics are not even a month away. This is the time for making strategies, training and fitness camps. Team, which only an year back, had shocked the whole hockey world and more so, even it's own countrymen, with it's performance in Champions Trophy, won Asia Cup defeating Pakistan, emerged victorious in Four Nations cup, Down Under, is currently in tatters. They have lost to Pakistan five times in a row this year.
They can't blame lack of sponsorship this time. Sahara is overpaying them. The infighting between players and coaches, players themselves and autocratic policies of IHF has taken their toll on their game. As if this was not enough, the coach was sacked at the eleventh hour. Now, not only they'll have to make fresh strategies, fresh training plans, they'll also have to learn to communicate with the coach. Many players are not very comfortable with English.
In contrast, just look how shrewdly did BCCI plan the iternary of the Test series in favour of the home country. All the matches are below the Tropic of Cancer, where at that time of the year, weather is still on hotter side. Trust Chennai and Mumbai to be hot and humid, while Nagpur is always at extreme temperatures. Only Banglore is the lone exception where the weather will suite Aussies. They also have an unbeaten record there.
Both the events are equally big for India, but one administration has planned in right earnest while other is at it's reckless self. It pains to see they way national sport is going despite the promise. Can't put a medal hope on it.
a- India vs. Australia Test series venue and schedule have been just announced.
b- India Hockey Coach, Rajinder Pal Singh has been sacked.
You might wonder what is the contrast over here. Let me explain. Athens Olympics are not even a month away. This is the time for making strategies, training and fitness camps. Team, which only an year back, had shocked the whole hockey world and more so, even it's own countrymen, with it's performance in Champions Trophy, won Asia Cup defeating Pakistan, emerged victorious in Four Nations cup, Down Under, is currently in tatters. They have lost to Pakistan five times in a row this year.
They can't blame lack of sponsorship this time. Sahara is overpaying them. The infighting between players and coaches, players themselves and autocratic policies of IHF has taken their toll on their game. As if this was not enough, the coach was sacked at the eleventh hour. Now, not only they'll have to make fresh strategies, fresh training plans, they'll also have to learn to communicate with the coach. Many players are not very comfortable with English.
In contrast, just look how shrewdly did BCCI plan the iternary of the Test series in favour of the home country. All the matches are below the Tropic of Cancer, where at that time of the year, weather is still on hotter side. Trust Chennai and Mumbai to be hot and humid, while Nagpur is always at extreme temperatures. Only Banglore is the lone exception where the weather will suite Aussies. They also have an unbeaten record there.
Both the events are equally big for India, but one administration has planned in right earnest while other is at it's reckless self. It pains to see they way national sport is going despite the promise. Can't put a medal hope on it.
posted by Unknown at 11:47 AM
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