A shocking tale of injustice

By Nirmal Shekar

CHENNAI, AUG. 7. On Wednesday morning, before dawn breaks over the verdant expanse of the Cosmopolitan Club golf course here, even before the birds start singing in the ageing trees of the old course, a professional golfer would have risen, would have completed his morning rituals and made his way to Nandanam. For a third decade in the history of The Hindu Open, Rohtas Singh would have cheerfully reached the course to play in a tournament so dear to his heart, one that is synonymous with his own legend.

Then again, few sportsmen in this country have become as synonymous with their sport itself as has Rohtas Singh. In 28 years, Rohtas, 42, has won over 100 tournaments and has been ranked No. 1 in the Order of Merit on the Indian Tour for 10 years.

And what is more, over the last few years, in the face of stiff competition from younger, and perhaps fitter men born with a state-of-the-art driver in their hands, so to say, and influential godfathers to promote their case, Rohtas has held his own, finishing as high as No. 6 in the rankings last season.

His record as a champion golfer is phenomenal. He won his first tournament, the DCM Open, in 1975. And his last victory came in the 2000-01 season at the TNGF Open in this city. Three times Rohtas represented India in the World Cup and twice in the Dunhill Cup and his commitment and skills as a Pro have won him rich praise from many a critic abroad.

At home, he is the grand old Pro at the courses from one end of the country to another with the young ones seeking him out for advice, something he has offered with a readiness that is a mirror to his big heart. Given all these virtues, nobody would grudge him his status as a legend of the sport in this country.

Yet, today, Rohtas, normally as cheerful and positive a sportsman as you can find anywhere in the land, is a bitter man. ``What is the use of being a legend when there is no official recognition?'' asks the Delhi Pro. The reason for his bitterness is obvious. Year after year, some golfer or the other has been named for the Arjuna Award. Recently it went to Harmeet Kahlon, a very talented golfer, who did well as an amateur for a few years before turning Pro. Without taking anything away from Kahlon's merits, what has this player...or any other golfer who has won the award done...that Rohtas hasn't in a remarkable career spanning four decades?

``Rohtas Singh is an institution among professional golfers. He has had an outstanding career in professional golf. We would very much appreciate if the case of Rohtas Singh is favourably considered for grant of the Arjuna Award in golf for the year 2000 for his lifetime contribution to golf,'' wrote Mr. P.K. Bhattacharyya, secretary, Indian Golf Union, in a letter to Mr. H.S. Kingra, Director (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, earlier this year.

Ah, letters, words...what meaning do they have in the strange politics of Indian sport? Nothing. And, even more soul shattering is the fact that performance, consistent excellence and exemplary character...these mean nothing too.

Cheer up Rohtas, you are bigger than all these awards!

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Section  : Sport
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