Living on pride

Giving just 15-20 to a player,making him think twice before ordering a cup of tea,and then expecting him to keep performing and producing results is just wrong. Harendra Singh,the Indian hockey coach for the Asia Cup,couldnt have been more candid. And more right. Its not as if they didnt get anything after their unexpected triumph in last months Azlan Shah Cup; each players daily spending allowance was raised by 5,from the hitherto-paupers 15 to a now-princely sum of 20. Players complain that they wash their own clothes after a tiring match to save money; they are quite experienced in managing with very little money. Their Pakistani counterparts get 50 per day.

Indian hockey was a colossus that fell because its feet had turned to clay over the years. After its most ignominious moment in March 2008,when India failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 80 years,some hope was gradually,tentatively constructed out of the utter despair that had engulfed not just the hockey fraternity but also many Indians who had long ceased to care for a sport whose history of achievement had become its burden. That hope had its first moment of fulfilment last month. Now,at the start of the Asia Cup,one would be forgiven for believing that the erstwhile colossus is being rebuilt with fresh feet of clay.

A lot has changed since: the dissolution of the Indian Hockey Federation,the Indian Olympic Associations ad-hoc committee in charge till the new governing body,Hockey India,takes shape. But player well-being is nobodys priority. The ad-hoc committee says it has little money,and adheres to government rules. But players who arent paid match fees have no less right to be treated as professionals,with incentives for their efforts. Playing for pride may have kept Indian hockey kicking,but as Singh asks,8230;pride se pet bharta hai kya?