Hockey stars & the din over dinner

It’s a fracas over the food, a din over dinner. The Indian hockey team ends its training camp at Hyderabad on Sunday and for the 31 pla...

It’s a fracas over the food, a din over dinner. The Indian hockey team ends its training camp at Hyderabad on Sunday and for the 31 players there, it’s been a miserable fortnight. They haven’t enjoyed the food and have made no bones about it. The IHF says everything’s above board but experts contacted had a different opinion.

Sudheendra Tripathi was at hand to report:

THE MENU

Thick, rubbery maida rotis, sambar and no meat for lunch. Chicken at dinner, rationed to three pieces. No nutritional supplements apart from half a cup of milk and 5 cashewnuts at breakfast

THE GROUSE

The players are miffed that after a strenuous training schedule — 6-7 hours a day — the least they could be provided with is quality food. ‘‘We literally survive on rice’’, says one player. ‘‘The chapatis cannot be consumed. They’re huge and rubbery.’’

THE LOGISTICS

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The IHF sanctions Rs 150 per person on a daily basis. The food contractor here is obviously struggling to accommodate three meals in the given amount. Also, setting up a kitchen in the stadium premises in not allowed so the food has to be prepared elsewhere and brought in to the venue. By which time the rotis are cold and rubbery

THE IHF’S EXPLANATION

IHF joint secretary Ramchandra Rao, the camp coordinator: ‘‘We had a 55-day preparatory camp at the venue for the junior World Cup and we had no protests then. The same contractor was in charge of the food.

‘‘It’s more of a case of personal food habits. I don’t blame the players, though. They come from different backgrounds and their food habits are different.’’

EXPERT OPINION

Dr Jyoti Lalwani, chief dietician Hinduja Hospital (Mumbai)

A player’s diet depends on his height and weight. It seems these things are not being taken into consideration. Currently the players’ protein intake must about 50-60 gms, which is okay for a normal human being. But for a sportsman the intake of proteins should be at least 80 gms every day. There’s a lot of wear and tear in a sportsman’s body. Training regularly increases the proportion of muscle weight in their body. Their diet should have variety and ample vitamins and minerals, along with sufficient calories and proteins. They should be served at least a couple of bowls of salad and fruits daily.

Dr Anupa Siddhu, Advisor to Sports Authority of India

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There is some basis for the displeasure, as the menu seems to be monotonous. It’s a good idea to have fruits at breakfast, as the vitamin C requirements are higher in sports. Too much emphasis on non-veg is not advisable but one serving a day is good. The proteins are met by dal-cereal combination. Salads are advisable, especially sprout moong/kala chana. A mid-morning chaat with lemon, tomatoes etc is a good idea. Carbohydrate and fluids should be given after practice. Occasional milk deserts should be given.