Flout rules and go scot-free

Ever since, most schools have vied with one another to win the title, even if it meant flouting the rules blatantly. The tournament society, controlled by the Air Force, was successful in putting its foot down and arrest the decay that was spreading wide and fast. And yet, some schools had managed to field over-aged players and, at times, students from outside without getting caught.

One such case that has now come to light is that of Mamta Modern School (Vikas Puri). The reigning champions are figuring in this year’s tournament, according to the draw released by the tournament committee. This has understandably raised several eyebrows because the school had last year fielded three players in Deepak, Krishan Mann and goalkeeper Arjun Singh.

What has come to light now is that Deepak, who had a big hand in clinching the Cup for the school, had passed out from UP and has joined a Delhi club, Moghals, during the inter-state transfer this season under a changed name: Mohammad Salim. The boy has now taken admission into the Aligarh Muslim University. The change in name can be explained but what cannot be is that he could not have studied both in Delhi and in UP at the same time.

Similarly, Krishan Mann had passed out from a Roopnagar govenment school in June 1998 and had taken admission into Swami Shradhanand College in July. But when the Subroto tournament began two months later in September, he was still part of the school!

In yet another case of fudging, goalkeeper Arjun Singh had given his date of birth as December 21, 1982, while appearing for the school in the Suhroto tournament. Five months later, the same Arjun Singh represented Delhi in the sub-junior nationals (under-16 tourney) in Delhi with a changed date of birth. This time his certificate, obtained from the school, indicated December 21, 1983 as his birth date!

During the tournament last year, an Arunachal Padesh school had raised doubts about some of the school players. The Subroto committee members simply sent the protest to the school principal and obtained a list of names along with their birth dates. The committee did not verify further. But around the same time the Indian Gym Federation, whose officer-bearer was the school official, had honoured the organising committee secretary even before the end of the tournament. This was seen as a gesture in return for the favour done to the school.

This allegation may seem a bit exaggerated. But the fact remains that the purpose for which the tournament was intiated has been defeated, particularly with schools now bent on winning the title by hook or by crook. Maybe, there is a lesson for the tournament authorities to ponder. Only, if they are willing to.