After revolt, it is now food fiasco in India hockey camp

It seems the Sports Authority of India wants the Indian hockey team to come out with flying colours when they go for international matches. Maybe, that's why they are feeding them chicken with feathers.

This 'feathers in cooked chicken' grievance is not coming from an ordinary player in the Indian team, who doesn't have any voice, but from Jose Brasa, the Spaniard coach of the national team.

Speaking to MiD DAY, Brasa said: "The food given to the team is lousy. It is of poor quality. Every day they are served the same type of food with no variety. Come any day and you will find the same menu, which is dal, rice, chapattis and chicken. What's more, the chicken is so badly prepared that it leaves feathers in your mouth."

On July 24, MiD DAY reported on how the hockey team that was training at the Balewadi Stadium, was being served chivda, instead of eggs and pasta for breakfast.

Brasa said: "If they are given such tasteless and monotonous food every day, how do you expect them to perform? I have informed the authorities several times, but there is no use."

Hockey India president A K Mattoo, who visited the Stadium yesterday, said: "If there are any problems about the taste and quality of the food, I am sure it can be sorted out at the local level. It is not a big matter."

The team's physician, Lt Col B K Naik said: "It is true that the Indian hockey team is being served inferior quality food. Besides the quality, even the preparation is improper.

"We have officially complained to the Sports Authority of India and even suggested a change in menu. We requested them to at least give the team grilled chicken once a week. But, unfortunately, nothing has happened even though the team doctor and the coach have written to them a month ago."