Probables list raises further questions

The most notable omission in the list of Indian Olympic Association Ad-hoc Committee8217;s 48 probables who will form the core group of Indian hockey...

The most notable omission in the list of Indian Olympic Association Ad-hoc Committee8217;s 48 probables who will form the core group of Indian hockey over the next two years was former captain Dilip Tirkey. But a closer inspection throws up a few more surprises.

Some of the national team8217;s regulars over the last few tournaments are conspicuous by their absence. Deepak Thakur, who was named the best player of the MCC Murugappa Gold Cup recently, doesn8217;t find a place. Even if one is to go by the selectors8217; 8220;grooming talent for the future8221; theory, the omissions of the likes of Bharat Chikara, Vickram Kanth and Bikash Toppo 8212; all have represented India at both the junior and senior levels 8212; are glaring.

Fingers are also being pointed in hockey circles at some names that have made it to the list 8212; Osafur Rahman, Mazhar Kamal, Mohammad Taj and Sunil Sonkar among forwards, and midfielder Koushalender. Interestingly, all five belong to Bhopal, and two of them 8212; Sonkar and Kamal 8212; are from Olympian Ashok Kumar8217;s academy.

Except for Rahman, who is a regular on the domestic circuit, none of these players have played on even the domestic circuit. Mohammad Taj was part of the Railways8217; camp at one time, but has never been part of their playing XI.

And Koushalender, who has made it past names like VS Vinaya and Bimal Lakra, has hardly played in the past one year, his only noteworthy performance coming for combined universities against teams from Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the South Asian Universities championship in Amritsar. He, incidentally, is Ashok Kumar8217;s nephew.

When contacted, Ashok Kumar refuted any claims of bias. 8220;They are all talented boys. Mazhar and Koushalender play for their universities, while Taj is the kind of skilled player Indian hockey used to be known for. Sunil Sonkar is a player for the future and, since this list of 48 will provide us with the junior team as well, we thought they should be in it,8221; said Ashok Kumar on the phone from Bhopal.

Ajitpal Singh, chairman of the selection committee, said: 8220;There are five selectors. We have to keep everyone8217;s suggestions in mind.8221;