Goa’s ‘borrowed’ hockey success raises red flags

PANAJI
What is the secret success formula of Goans Hockey girls’ junior team which qualified to Division B after winning both their group matches in the Division B of the All-India junior hockey championship held Kakinana, Andhra Pradesh this month?

The transformation of Goans Hockey team from whipping girls of Indian hockey to winners was made possible due to the services of the six Gwalior girls, who were drafted into the team ahead of the National Championship.

The girls -- Gungun Kaur, Vaishali Rathore, Rubi Rathore, Rashi Suryavanshi, Priyanka Balmik and Parihar Mahak train round the year at the state-of-the-art hockey academy funded by the Madhya Pradesh government, which comes under the Sports and Youth Welfare Department of the Madhya Pradesh government

The six players played a key role in the two wins the Goans Hockey team registered at the championship.

Gungun Kaur and Priyanka Balmik had played for different State and academy teams twice before pulling the Goa colours, while two of them -- Rashi Suryavanshi and Mahak Parihar -- made their debut at the national level with the Goa team. Vaishali Rathore and Rubi Rathore had previously played thrice for different State and academy teams before preferring to play with the Goa team.

For the records, Goans Hockey won against Jammu & Kashmir 2-1 and trounced Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey 4-0.

A Hockey India official clarified that the rules allow states to field a maximum of four outstation players with a No-Objection Certificate (NOC). “If any state associations have fielded more than four players and if anyone complains then action will be taken,” the official said, without specifying the nature of the punishment.

The official also defended the NOC provision, saying, “The move, started by Hockey India some four years back, is also followed by the national federations of swimming and a few other associations.”

A senior coach at the Gwalior academy explained that two types of NOCs are issued -- temporary and permanent. “Four of the girls from the academy took temporary NOCs and two took permanent ones,” the coach said. However, when requested, Hockey India officials could not share the notification currently governing inter-state transfers of players.

Goans Hockey President Abhay Bhambikar declined to answer questions on why six players from the Gwalior academy were fielded, or whether permission had been obtained from the Sports Authority of Goa. He also did not clarify whether the players are part of the State’s hockey league or how their inclusion benefits local hockey development.

Instead, Bhambikar reacted sharply, saying: “Tell me the name of the official (who has told you that only four players with NOC are allowed to play for a state after taking NOC)... I will report (him or her) to Hockey India.”

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Goans Hockey accused of violating SAG guidelines

PANAJI: Questions are being raised over Goans Hockey’s decision to field players from other states despite directives issued by the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) prohibiting such practices.

Former players and supporters have alleged that the association has gone against the rules while continuing to draw on government funds.

The SAG guidelines, issued recently, require state associations to submit detailed documentation to claim funds for players and officials. The forms demand personal details such as PAN card numbers, bank account details and Aadhaar card numbers. Officials point out that Aadhaar details of outstation players would clearly expose irregularities.

“Now if Goans Hockey are submitting the entire details of the team to SAG, the outstation players’ address on the Aadhaar card will expose the grave irregularities,” said an official aware of the situation.

A senior SAG official admitted that the issue has largely been overlooked. “Most of the officials are either not aware or turning a blind eye to the outstation players' issue. If someone complains and something reaches the Chief Minister’s office, then there will be hectic activity to plug the loopholes,” the official said.

Former hockey player Fernando Dias criticised the practice in strong terms. “This is clear-cut fraud played on the Goans. How can they take government funds and taxpayers’ money and field outstation players? This is like killing hockey; this must end,” he said.

Another former state player, Clifford Caeiro, stressed the need to nurture home-grown players. “There is an urgent need to stop this and encourage Goan talent. Where is the youth development programme of Goans Hockey? Goans have talent, only they need grooming, exposure and encouragement,” he said.

Dias further questioned the legitimacy of the association in light of the alleged violations. “If they are going against the SAG guidelines, is it not a fit case for recognition of the association?” he asked.