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Just when one thought that the mess surrounding Indian hockey couldn't become any worse, came the news of the women's national coach being accused of soliciting sexual favours from players and passing lewd remarks during training. It has been all downhill for the national sport that seemed to be enjoying a rare high after the men's World Cup in New Delhi earlier this year.Only four months ago, it seemed all rosy: India was rediscovering its passion for hockey and the team was finally making an impact internationally. The current scenario presents a total contrast. As television put those hazy sleazy frames of the team's videographer on loop a day after the scandalous going-ons during foreign tours of women's hockey team were made public, the feel good pictures of a jam-packed National Stadium seemed a forgotten past.The men's game, too, is playing out its own farce. The mess started with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) forming and recognising an unelected, ad-hoc body called Hockey India (HI) in 2009 to run the sport in the country. The organisation has failed to hold its elections ever since. This came after the suspension of the then ruling body, the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), and its subsequent derecognition. Last month, a Delhi High Court order restored the authority of the IHF. The order forced the IOA and the Union Sports Ministry to accept the IHF. With the hockey fraternity split wide open, both IHF and HI have claimed majority support. The first enjoys government recognition because of the recent Delhi High Court order, the second is recognised by the international hockey body, FIH. It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic for the game.While the Union Sports Ministry has allowed both parties to hold their meetings, it has refrained from recognising any one as the sole governing body. The latest twist is its conditional permission to allow HI to conduct elections on July 28, citing India's international assignments. But HI has now categorically refused to adhere to any government guidelines. If HI decides to go ahead with elections disregarding the government guidelines, it may further complicate matters for the sport, already struggling with two governing bodies (IHF and HI). In which case, violating the ministry's directions may affect HI's chances of retaining administrative powers. The ministry — which funds the sport and Indian team's tours — has preferred to sit on the fence.Unrelated to all this, the men's team continues on a month-long European tour. The men's squad, too, isn't a happy unit. Chief coach Jose Brasa doesn't have a say in selection and is not even allowed to speak to the media. Senior players have walked out of the national camp. The team has no qualified trainer with the last one leaving within a year of his appointment, reportedly irritated due to bureaucratic hurdles.When the Indian men's hockey team called a flash strike in January this year, demanding proper reimbursements for their achievements and hard work, they received support from the general public. After getting their way, the players resumed training. At the same time, the women's team decided to make a more dignified response to their neglect all these years, sporting black armbands even while training. They ended up being heard and their grievances were sorted out.Back then, things appeared to be finally getting back on the track for hockey. And, for once, player power was being celebrated. Six months down the line, the mess in Indian hockey both on and off the field has only grown manifold. The current uncertainty means that tracing the silver line anywhere near the dark clouds is going to be a tough job — and all this in a year that has a World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.Coach in penalty boxOnce winner of gold in Olympics M K Kaushik is now a disgraced manMaharaj Kishan Kaushik (55) has been associated with Indian hockey for more than three decades now — first as a player and then as a coach. He is perhaps one of the few in the current set up who can claim to have seen life from both sides, with considerable success. Kaushik won gold with the national team in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the last time India won an Olympic medal in the sport. Since mid-1990s, he has been working as the chief coach for the Indian hockey team, first with the men and then the women.A deputy director in the Haryana Sports department, Kaushik has had frequent run-ins with the hockey administration. He has been called the biggest supporter of player power and a "players' coach" by the hockey fraternity.Under his charge, the Indian men's team won gold at the Busan Asian Games in 1998 after a gap of 32 years . Immediately after, he along with seven players, who were demanding monetary rewards, were sacked, with Kaushik supporting the players. Soon after, he was given the charge of the Indian women's team, and Kaushik has been with them since 2002, except for a brief period in 2007. Under him, the women's team has steadily climbed the rankings and finished on the podium in a number of tournaments. Major among them are the 2004 Asia Cup (gold), 2009 Asia Cup (silver), 2003 Afro-Asian Games (gold). In 2006, the team won silver at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, bronze at the Doha Asian Games.Kaushik has received the Arjuna Award, and the Dronacharya award for his achievements. His book,The Golden Boot, is considered one of the most well-written and researched material by an Indian on hockey. Though he has had his detractors from time to time, who have criticised his coaching methodology and questioned his credibility and intentions, this is perhaps the first time that he has been officially accused of sexual harassment.
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