New Delhi: The 1975 Hockey World Cup winning players were finally honoured for their feat at a function here on Wednesday, but they said the gesture was too late in coming.
“We should have been honoured long ago. On a positive note I would say, at least it has happened,” HJS Chimni, who was felicitated by Hockey India along with his 1975 team mates, told PTI.
Each of the 16 members who won India’s lone Hockey World Cup in 1975, were given a cash award of Rs 175,000.
Chimni said the game’s administrators need to make better use of the former players and the lack of it has resulted in the decline of Indian hockey.
“Anyone who has played the game at the highest level should be approached for their inputs. A think-tank of six-seven players should be there to draw a roadmap of the team. It doesn’t mean that you interfere in coach’s work,” said the former armyman.
Leslie Fernandez, a retired railways employee, is sad that he is not connected to the game anymore.
“We want more recognition for sure. It is not merely a matter of money. It is about utilising our services. Nobody needed me even in the railways team,” said Fernandez, who played as a rightback in the famous final of 1975 when India beat Pakistan.
Did he ever think that India won’t be able to repeat their feat in 39 years?
“I never thought we would drop so low. In those days, we would either win or be second or third. There used to be a terrible response whenever we failed to win a trophy,” said the Chennai-based former player.
“Now we have come to a point where we are thinking of finishing seventh or eighth in the upcoming World Cup. I would say the administrators of the game have contributed to our slide,” said Fernandez, who was also part of the silver winning team at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran.
“When we lost in Asian Games, people said things like ‘you should have died in Tehran’. The following was intense,” he recollected.
Fernandez and Chimini are among the five World Cup winning players who have been awaiting government recognition since 1996 when it was announced that all medal winners of Olympic disciplines would be given complimentary railway passes.
The others who are waiting for their due are Ashok Diwan, Onkar Singh and PE Kaliah.
“It is not about the passes. It is about our honour. If the Olympic medallists part of the same World Cup squad are entitled to the privilege, we are in no way inferior to them,” said Fernandez.
As per the existing policy, Ministry of Railways provides lifetime first class/second AC complimentary passes to sportspersons who are Arjuna awardees, Olympic medallists, gold medallists at Asian or Commonwealth Games and Dronacharya awardees, excluding the World Cup winners. (PTI)
