When the Indian hockey team were supposed to have corn flakes for breakfast, they were served chiwda instead during a training camp in pune ahead of their European tour
When the Indian hockey team were supposed to have corn flakes for breakfast, they were served chiwda instead during a training camp in pune ahead of their European tour
Basic problems continue to dog Indian sports. But what India's hockey squad had to put up with during a conditioning camp here for their European tour is an automatic entry into the Hall of Shame.
The team that was training at the Balewadi Sports Complex ahead of their 12-Test tour to Europe, did not even get the necessary food required to keep them in top shape ahead of a grueling tour.
Newly appointed chief coach Jose Brasa had asked the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to supply food that would give each player 5000 calories per day. But according to the secretary of the Maharashtra Hockey Association, Ikram khan, what they got was much less.
Third-class
"Pune has a world-class hockey facility but the treatment players received at the hands of SAI was third-class. They were given substandard food which allowed them an intake of just 3000 calories instead of 5000," he said.
Just not enoughAccording to Khan, the quality of food improved after the team management complained but it still did not have sufficient calories. Brasa had asked for eggs, corn flakes and pasta to be served for breakfast but the players were given chiwda (snacks).
"This kind of breakfast was requested so that the players get used to the food which they would consume in Europe. How can you expect the team to perform at their best in Europe if they are not even given a proper diet?" Khan asked.
SAI assistant director Virendra Bhandarkar accepted that the quality of food was not up to the mark initially.
"There were some complaints in the beginning. But when it was brought to our notice, we immediately changed the caterer and tried to give them the best possible food."
