KOCHI:
Volleyball Federation of India
(VFI) showed scant regard for the professional conduct of the
Federation Cup
final that concluded Friday night at Chittorgarh in
Rajasthan.
The women's final that was initially rescheduled from 4.30 to 6.30 pm was further postponed by more than one-and-a-half hours after the authorities sneaked in an unscheduled exhibition match featuring VFI secretary
Ramavatar Singh Jakhar
and Rajasthan sports minister
Ashok Chandna
.
The entire event was live-streamed on Youtube and both sets of finalists could be seen returning to the warm-up zones after the VIPs invaded the play area. A local commentator was heard saying that the event was held at the behest of minister Chandna.
"Such incidents disrupt the body rhythm of players because we had set a timetable based on the original schedule," said CS Sadanandan, head coach of Kerala team that retained the title defeating Railways 3-2.
"The players had to warm up twice and moreover this championship was held outdoor on a freshly prepared mud-court and it was so cold outside. Such big events should be organized more professionally," said Sadanandan.
Kerala State Volleyball Association
secretary
Nalakath Basheer
refused to blame the VFI even as he conceded that the incident 'quite naturally' affected the players. "All I can say is that whenever Kerala hosted events we have adhered to schedules," said Basheer.
The Federation Cup local organizing secretary LL Pokharna said the organizers had the right to reschedule matches and that the same was communicated to the participating teams. However, he added that it was VFI who decided to conduct the exhibition match. "The decision to organize the exhibition match was taken by the VFI and the organizing committee had no say in it," said Pokharna. VFI secretary Ramavatar was unavailable for comment.
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