During the last couple of weeks, Indian teams are engulfed in controversies for unsporting reasons, though it be the game of hockey, cricket or kabaddi.
During the last couple of weeks, Indian teams are engulfed in controversies for unsporting reasons, though it be the game of hockey, cricket or kabaddi.
In the latest incident, Pakistan kabaddi team faced much hostility and biasness in the World Cup final against host India recently, which the later won after allegedly biased decisions by umpires and organizers.
Pakistan kabaddi team went through an ordeal during the final when they were disallowed to drink water and competed against greasy opponents. Pakistan skipper Ahmed Shafiq said after the match that their Indian opponents were allowed to apply grease on themselves, which enabled them to be difficult to grapple.
In spite of all these factors Pakistan kabaddi team managed to lead in three quarters and when India somehow managed to take a lead in the fourth, the hooters were blown prematurely, giving undue favor to the host.
However, a good news has surfaced for Pakistan that Indian Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has took notice of the controversial final and has also tasked an inquiry committee to investigate into the issue. It is hoped that the committee would investigate the issue with complete impartiality.
Meanwhile, The Indian cricket team complained about the state of low standard practice wickets and food on their ongoing Australian tour, following which they were immensely criticized by the local media.
The Indian team has conceded two straight defeats in the first two matches of the ongoing four-match series to Australia, with the home team only one win away from regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australian media criticized Indian cricket team of ‘siege mentality’ as the tourists blamed practice pitches and food for their below par showing in the series.
Indian captain MS Dhoni said that the state of the Gabba’s practice pitches were the reason behind injuries to its top batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, which had unsettled the team before their batting collapse against Australia. The visitors have also complained of lack of a gym.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also issued a statement during Saturday’s play, attacking the state of practice wickets at the Gabba ground.
Former Australia Test captain Ian Chappell has blamed India for lack of leadership. “When you come out with a statement like that, particularly after you’ve lost a few wickets in the morning, it looks like whingeing,” Chappell has been quoted as saying by the media.
Last week, Hockey India (HI) forced International Hockey Federation (FIH) to come hard on Pakistan hockey team for taking off their t-shirts and gesturing obscenely towards crowd after semifinal victory against hosts.
Initially, FIH formed an inquiry committee to look into the matter. The Tournament Director approached Pakistan camp and later accepted the apology from Pakistan Coach Shahnaz Sheikh and decided against taking any further action.
However, HI chief Narinder Batra threatened not to host FIH events in future and also to sever bilateral ties with Pakistan if FIH not take action against Pakistan team. As it happened, FIH banned Pakistan hockey team players for one match, few hours before the team’s final against Germany.
“Indians are devoid of sportsman spirit,” said Pakistan former Olympian Hanif Khan. “After losing the match, they resorted to entangle Pakistan team into a controversy in order to negatively influence green-shirts title victory prospects.”
“HI used its financial muscles to intimidate FIH and force the international body to come harsh on Pakistan as a revenge for their semifinal defeat,” another Pakistan legendary hockey Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui had said.
The Indians have been widely criticized for lack of leadership and sportsman spirit. After three incidents in three different sports within a span of a couple of weeks, the argument seemed to have some weight in it.
