By Irineu Gonsalves

IT IS ONLY the second time in history that the Olympic torch came to India after 40 years. The cauldron was lit at the National Stadium, New Delhi by India’s brightest hope for a medal at Athens, shooter Anjali Bhagwat. But one look at the National Stadium and the whole attention was grabbed by Bollywood stars, cricketers, sponsors and the politicians pushing former Olympians to the background. The hurt felt by several sports persons on being eclipsed by non-sports persons in the torch relay is understandable. It appeared that the meaning and importance of the torch relay was not understood by the Indian Olympic Association. Else, how could actors and actresses have found a place in the rally? Celebrities could have been invited but certainly not at the cost of our sporting icons. No one would have complained about the film stars running alongside the sportspersons had the Indian Olympic Association done a fair job.

It was not an awe inspiring sight to see just a handful of Olympians taking part in the relay. Wasn’t it sad not to see P T Usha who couldn’t make it as she received the invitation card at the last minute. Olympians have endured enormous pain to get to where they are today. What makes them exceptional is the fire burning within them. The Olympic flame is a manifestation of this fire. It is not befitting in the hands of film stars glowing in cosmetic glory.

The film stars, too, voiced their concern “only sportsmen should do this run”, said Aamir Khan. “They should have been here” said Rahul Bose. I would have liked to run alongside the “Payyoli Express”, said Vivek Oberoi.

The photograph of Brazilian soccer legend Pele, overcome with emotion, crying while running with the Olympic torch outside the world’s largest soccer stadium, Maracana, on the tenth day of the Athens 2004 Olympics torch relay in Rio de Janeiro brought tears into people’s eyes. It was a shame that we lost a chance to salute our Olympians, to see our gold medal winning hockey Olympians running with the Olympic torch. There is no doubt that sponsorship is required to assist sports federations. But the sponsors should not be allowed to dictate terms.

Goan concern
GOAN sports persons too voiced their concern. “It is not as if we have a long list of Olympic Champions. Ignoring even the few shows the authorities contempt for them” said Arjuna awardee former India football captain Brahmanand Sancoalcar. “The torch seemed totally out of place in the hands of film stars” said former Goa Table Tennis Champion Vero Nunes. “The Olympic torch should have been carried by the meritorious sports persons who brought laurels to the country” expressed Vasant Prabhu Desai – Director of Sports. “It was heart-breaking not to see P.T.Usha and other Olympians carrying the Olympic flame. The film stars had no role in the relay and so the cricketers”, decried Dr. Bonny Pereira, former State player in football, athletics, badminton and table tennis.

GFA – dogged by controversies
ONE OF the great attractions of football association and one of the reasons for its unrivalled position as the World’s most popular sport is that these associations do not at any time neglect its primary objective. The primary objective is the love for the game and its upliftment.

In football no amount of planning and organization can overcome poor control, inaccurate passing or shooting, weak heading or bad goal keeping. So, the logical place to start is getting these elements right but without losing sight of the context in which they are used. Similarly, in managing the affairs of football by the football association, it is necessary to get the basics right.

But, sadly, GFA has been manipulated as per the whims and fancies of a few individuals. Let us bring to mind the controversies that dogged the GFA for the last couple of years. A former secretary Agnelo Alcasoas even threw up a gauntlet to bring out the skeletons from the GFA cupboard. Whenever there is a controversy involving heavy weights the matter is compromised throwing rules and regulations to the winds.

The recent controversy was the decision given by the GFA Executive Committee regarding replay of the U-16 semifinal match between Vasco Sports Club and Fransa Football Club. When the rules are clearly spelt out why is the implementation selective? The Official Competition Rules for Age Group Tournaments clearly state as follows. Read GFA Handbook under Age Group Competitions page 71 rule 13 which states teams and players found guilty of impersonation will be punished as under:

a) Match will be awarded to the opponent with score of 3-0 and three points, if the team was winning by more than 3 goals that result shall stand.

b) All the matches in which the player found guilty of impersonation was playing will be awarded to the opponent with margin as stated in (13.a).

c) The team will be disqualified and fined Rs.1000/- which was subsequently decided at the Youth Development Sub-Committee, held on 11.05.2002 at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda to increase it to Rs.2000.

d) The player found guilty of impersonation will be suspended for one year from all matches organized or recognized by the Goa Football Association.

So, where the question of a replay of the semi-final arises? Even, if a replay is called for then, all the matches played by the impersonator should also be replayed. Will the GFA be able to do so? The player concerned has been penalized and what about Vasco Sports Club? Why did the GFA relax its rules? Because Savio Messias the GFA secretary and Vinod Parkhot, GFA vice president are the office bearers of Vasco Sports Club? Would GFA have contravened its own rules if a lower division Club was involved? Hence it is not out of place to state that the GFA has two sets of rules, one for the professional clubs and the other for the small clubs. Just a few years ago, in the age group tournament Mexico was banned for 3 years as one of the players was caught for impersonation. Will somebody take suo-motu cognizance of this and apprise the higher authorities AFC and the FIFA? It may be recalled that the GFA took strong action against the four clubs - Curtorim Gymkhana, Sangolda Lightning, Dona Paula SC and Wilred Leisure because the foreign media highlighted the episode. It is time to pay them back with the same coin.

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