Sports Authority of India (SAI) has clarified that the Indian sports team currently visiting Adelaide has no sanctions or approval from the authority, a fact which is also denied by Hockey India.
The statement came in the form of tweets from SAI after a Facebook video attracted a wide spread attention over the lack of facilities provided to the Indian girls sports team currently visiting Australia.
The video went viral on social media highlighting a protest by the players and their coach Pardeep Kumar over the lack of facilities and support at the games venue.
The video attracted a widespread displeasure by the social media users of Indian descent who were criticising Indian government for not providing enough help to the visiting players.
Following the incidence, SAI and The Hockey India have tweeted denying any sanctions or approvals to the sports teams touring Australia for the school games.
SAI's Twitter account posted a couple of tweets to clarify their stance on the subject.
Hockey India tweeted that the coach featured in the video is not a member of their national program and an investigation is underway in the matter to assist all concerned to find a possible solution.
Meanwhile, the local Indian-Australian community has come forward to help support the visiting sports teams from India.
Hockey SA and Adelaide Sikhs Hockey Club have come together to help out travelling teams from India, providing drinks, snacks, fruit and other circumstantial needs.
Sukhwant Singh from Adelaide Sikhs Hockey Club told SBS Punjabi that issue has been resolved wisely with an active participation from the local community.
“The social media video has unnecessarily created this scene. The sports teams are offered facility of free usage of public transport by the organisers, but they couldn’t avail it properly,” said Mr Singh.
“The frustration from the team itself is quite understandable. The team consists of young school-going girls who may have travelled to a foreign land for the first time.
“We are aware that they couldn’t participate in their first match due to the transport issues and this led to awakened anxious moments.
“I was told by Hockey Australia that they are struggling with some communication problems. After knowing this issue our volunteers are on-site to assist the teams.
“Rupinder Singh from Adelaide Sikhs Hockey Club is constantly in touch with the teams and their officials. We have told them to contact us for any circumstantial needs.
“The local community especially people from the local Gurdwaras (Sikh Temple) have also offered help.
“A bus has been arranged by the local community that will help transport the teams from different locations to playgrounds.
“It is not wise to criticise Indian government or high commission for this ordeal. I personally think that the government has done enough to help these players avail this international exposure.
“I would urge people using social media to understand the depth of this issue before throwing their widespread criticism.
Kind attention @SushmaSwaraj Ji, @HCICanberra @AusHCIndia, @Ra_thore Ji - these girls went to Australia as our nation’s representative to play Hockey. They need our support to bring home medals and glory. Please listen to the video and take quick action for real #ChakDeIndia pic.twitter.com/4ACjFw7R5O — Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) December 4, 2017
The Indian High Commission have released the following statement in this matter:
A community group that specifically focus on social issues specific to the Indian-Australian community, has also provided insight on the matter.
“One of our representatives’ spoke to the team coach Pardeep Kumar who has confirmed that issue has been resolved,” said an FIA spokesperson.
“Mr Kumar advised that though there were some initial miscommunications which lead to some confusion, but the situation is under control now.
“Government of India has nothing to do with this sports meet of school kids. The team in question here is a team from different schools of India.
“We also want to clarify that the team is facilitated by the , which is not a government body.
“The SGFI is an independently registered body "recognised" by the and affiliated with the .
“Everyone should understand that this is a typical social media video that shows only one side of the matter without covering the main reasons behind this issue.
The Indian sports teams are in Adelaide to participate in Pacific School Games, an event that provides opportunities for over 4000 school-aged students in eleven different sports categories.
