Amidst shocking statements coming from Rio regarding the Men's Hockey Team of India, we learned this morning that the squad is likely to miss the opening ceremony. The reason regarding this was not completely clear or certain until a while back when a Facebook Post by the President of Hockey India confirmed it and cited a clear reason for the following drastic step.
Narinder Dhruv Batra took to social media to confirm what reports had already suggested regarding the Hockey Team's participation in the ceremony. While acknowledging that he had nothing but utmost respect for the habitual Olympic practice, he said that it was indeed a problem with the Ceremonial Dresses that forced the men to sit out. According to Batra, the Women's Hockey Team of the country will not see an interference with their plans and will participate in the march.
“It is correct that Indian Men Hockey Team will not participate in the Opening Ceremony on 5th August 2015. The Indian Women Hockey Team is and will be Participating in the Opening Ceremony,” he wrote.
Also read: Reports: Indian men's hockey team set to miss the Rio 2016 opening ceremony due to lack of jerseys
The Ceremonial Dresses for the women's team were received by the concerned players about two days before the squad left for Rio on July 12. “All shortcomings in them were got resolved by 12th July, ie the day the Indian Women Hockey Team left for Rio via USA,” he added.
“The Ceremonial Dress for Men was received on 24th July 2016, ie the same day the Indian Men Hockey Team left for Rio via Spain, hence the Ceremonial Dress for the inaugural function could not be tried,” he added.
Batra also said that this delay was caused due to the fact that the IOA certified vendor repeatedly failed to provide uniforms based on correct specifications as underlined by Hockey India. It was only after Hockey India interfered did the team get their gear for the games.
“Hockey India got the match Uniform and blue tracksuits made directly from its vendor since the approved vendor of NOC repeatedly failed to supply the Uniform with correct specifications. Hence to avoid delay Hockey India intervened and there now is no issue for playing uniform for athletes in Rio. The official reason given to IOA by Hockey India team management in Rio for not taking part in opening ceremony is that we have a Men match on 6th August and hence we would not like to tire them due to this 5 to 6hr long function.”
Furthermore, Batra urged the Indian Olympic Association to ensure that such negligence does not take place in the future to cause athletes to miss out on the prestigious opportunity to take part in an Olympic Opening Ceremony. “We would now not like to go into the issue of FITTING or NOT PROPER FITTING of the ceremonial dress for March past. BUT would request IOA and Chef De Mission of India to be more careful for 2020 Tokyo Olympics, since taking part in Inaugural function under National Flag is an Honour for all Athletes and it is once in a lifetime opportunity for the Athletes.”
He praised his department's efficiency when it came to delivering with regards to providing gear and uniforms for the Hockey Team. “In Hockey we are not depending on the Chef De Mission of Indian contingent since we know he will never deliver, hence we are working on our backup plans and are in full control.”
He ended his post with customary best wishes to all the people taking part in the Olympic Games.
