The Hindu : Missing medals, a fuming official

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 15, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Missing medals, a fuming official

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD DEC.14. Where are the medals, gentlemen? Well, this question was asked by none other than the Union Minister, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who is also the president of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI). It all happened this morning at the Osmania University velodrome, venue of cycling competitions. Mr. Dhindsa was personally invited to have a look at the world class velodrome and also present medals to the winners in the 1500m time trial events of the day in both men's and women's sections. When the honoured guest was on his way, quick word spread around stating that neither the podium nor the medals were there in place for him to preside the presentation ceremony. A visibly, embarrassed Union Minister was seen leaving the venue saying: "See that the medals will be there at least before the Games end.''

The official reason give was it was "decided'' to have the medals ceremony at the end of all the cycling competitions and not at the end of each event. "This is ridiculous, you are trying to set new trends,'' fumed S.S. Grewal, senior official of the CFI.

Apparently, the officials were either taken by surprise at the schedule of the Union Minister or didn't get the `necessary' instructions from the officials concerned to meet the requirement. But, certainly not the way to start the competitions after such a grand opening ceremony at the GMC Balayogi Stadium only last night.

Food for thought

This time around, there is some food for thought for the organisers! The nine technical officials of the Hyderabad Hockey Association supervising the hockey competitions at the Begumpet Police Stadium had been clearly told to go to the Gachibowli Games Village for their lunch everyday. And, predictably, they prefer to make their own arrangements instead of going to the Village which takes at least two hours to be back on duty. Worse, they were yet to be given identity cards without which no one is allowed in the Village.

Comeback trial

A fit and skillful Nandnuri Mukesh Kumar is welcome back to the Indian team. Well, these are the words of Indian hockey chief coach, Rajinder Singh. The 44-year-old coach, who was the top - scorer in the 1981 World Cup in Mumbai with 13 goals, says he doesn't have any personal problems with him. "I am here to spot players who should serve the country well. We have decided to shortlist 45 players for the one-month camp to be held in Delhi before the next March's Azlan Shah tournament. "If Mukesh is fit and doing well on the field, age is no bar,'' says Rajinder Singh.

Good news for the triple Olympian from the City, who is strangely now dreaming of another comeback to the national team at the age of 34 and donning the national colours in 327 matches with 70-odd goals.

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