Dhanraj: Judgment without a trial

Former international Joaquim Carvalho says the veteran striker can still unnerve any opposition and for the Olympics it is imperative that someone of his experience and proven class be part of the team. Carvalho told The Indian Express, ‘‘In the past even with hairline fractures Dhanraj has given his 100 per cent. It makes no sense to doubt his fitness now. Everyone knows his value to the team.’’

Dhanraj’s potential to win matches for India cannot be doubted. He’s 36 but led India to their most important victory in 2003 — their maiden Asia Cup triumph in Kuala Lumpur last September. Incidentally, that was also the last time he played for India. Since then, the IHF has picked four teams for international tournaments and each time — without conducting a fitness examination on him — Dhanraj was left out. Carvalho says, ‘‘If the IHF has any doubts about his fitness then they should resolve it by conducting a test for four-five days.’’

In fact, the IHF has been avoiding precisely that. When the veteran forward was asked to report for selection at the Olympic qualifiers at Madrid in February, he wasn’t given an opportunity to prove his fitness. Instead, K Krishnamurthy — the team manager — said the ‘‘IHF thought he was not fit’’.

There are two simple options available for the IHF. One is to get him treated by a specialist in India or abroad. The IHF spent Rs 1.40 crore on Jugraj Singh’s treatment. Or two, just give Dhanraj a chance to prove his fitness.

Unfortunately, it seems that the big problem is that Dhanraj doesn’t fit into the IHF’s scheme of things. Had it been otherwise, in the couple of months that was gone by there would have been some indications suggesting that Dhanraj was part of the IHF’s future plan. And more importantly, there would have been some communication from the IHF to Dhanraj, which hasn’t happened through this period.