Height of worries for Ranchi SAI

A directive from headquarters has left the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre here grappling with a vertical problem. Rather the lack of it. Height matters, the SAI has said, in choosing hockey players. No women below 165 cm will be drafted, the directive from New Delhi has said. And no man less than 175 cm should be chosen.

It is giving H.L. Das, the SAI centre in-charge here, sleepless nights. "We are aware that girls above 165 cm in this state is unusual. But, we are bound by the headquarters's directives and can do little on our own," Das said.

Das said that only five girls from the hundreds who participated in the recent selection trials, conformed to the directive. Theoretically, he said, the latest Indian Olympic Association (IOA) report had said that height was indeed an advantage, citing the example of long-jumper Anju Bobby George.

Moscow Olympic gold-medallist Sylvanus Dungdung though took umbrage at the diktat. "The directive is not fit for Jharkhand. Talent should be the main criteria for the players, not height. I was short on height but I achieved top honours."

Email this article to your friend -