SGFI's flights of fancy

SGFI's flights of fancy
SHANKAR RAMACHANDRAN

MUMBAI, JANUARY 17: Yet one more instance of official apathy in sports. A team of 12 schoolboys, asked to assemble in Patiala on Jan 15, must return home disappointed after their trip to Dubai for a basketball test series against United Arab Emirates (UAE) was called off at the `twelfth hour.'

The entire planning of the trip, organised by School Games Federation of India (SGFI), which had organised the tour, has given the squad a raw deal. At least two of the boys, Ralph Gomes and KB Binoy from Mumbai, could have been alerted about the cancellation of the trip. But SGFI did not bother to do so.

Ralph (Somaiya College, Vidyavihar) and Binoy (Fr Agnel, Vashi) had represented Maharashtra (Under-19) at the National School Games Basketball Championship at Dewas, MP, from Jan 5-12. As Maharashtra failed to qualify for the play-offs, the Ralph-led team -- minus the services of a coach -- returned to Mumbai on Jan 9.

Ralph and Binoy were selected for the Indian team. They were informed of their selection onlyon Jan 13, and asked to report at Patiala on the 15th. Since Binoy did not have a passport, Fr Agnel coach Ravi Nair spoke to SGFI President Mr Negi on Jan 14, and sought an extension by a day. Mr Negi agreed. Binoy and Ralph then air-dashed to Patiala on the night of Jan 15. The Fr Agnel management footed Binoy's bill, while friends and family helped out Ralph.

The question is: Why was the trip undertaken in such haste? Why were the boys given just three days between selection and departure?

The trip was reportedly called off because of some problems at the Dubai end. The organisers have asked for a postponement to Feb, which the SGFI has not agreed, citing examinations. The trip may now take place in March.

But why were Binoy and Ralph, or the other boys, not notified of the cancellation? Since the two boys left Mumbai a day late, why were they not asked to cancel their trips?

Perhaps the answers are already known to us.