Ex-India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha condemns ‘caste politics’ in Indian sports ahead of Commonwealth Games 2022
It only took a few hours after India’s defeat in the semifinals of women’s hockey at the Tokyo Olympics, due to mistakes in the existing caste system. When the whole country praised the side led by Rani Rampal when he reached the Olympic semifinals for the first time, two top caste men around the Star Bintang Vandana Katariya house in Roshnabad Village on Haridwar and began to throw caste insult to his family. All trials also include those who explode and dance in artificial celebrations. Meanwhile, Vandana’s siblings also spoke to The Times of India and revealed that the people stated ‘the Indian team lost because too much Dalit’ was included.
Forwarding quickly to almost 12 months since the incident, the 30 -year -old player will once again represent India in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in 2022 in Birmingham, starting from July 28. Also this time, Katariya would be far more important for Indian tactics because there was no Rani Rampal, which came out due to injury. Although India finished ninth together with China at the 2022 FIH Hockey World Cup, the importance of Katariya was once again displayed when she scored for a team with three goals.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times during media interaction, former Indian man hockey captain Viren Rasquinha attacked caste politics in Indian sports and rushed to the Katariya defense. “When you stepped across the white level, then the name written in front of your shirt was written India? For me it is not a problem about which caste, which credo, which religion, rich, poor whether Punjab or Tamil Nadu, is not really important, “He said.
It is parting that ‘Every Indian must condemn the politics of caste to the highest level’, Rasquinha also explained the importance of Katariya for the country. “I think all of us, every Indian must condemn the politics of caste to the highest level. Vandana is one of the most experienced players in India. But even if he does not. He represents the country and we must support it at every single level. Support all players, who Representing India, “he said.
“So for me this is really unacceptable to have Indian hockey players facing threats or anything. They work for years to reach their place. We must ensure that we support them to the highest level. It is very easy to support them for that long When it is beautiful, but we must support them during difficult times too. ”
Vandana has brought great glory, respect and honor to the state and for me that is the only important thing, “he added further.
For CWG 2022, the female hockey event has been divided into two groups of five teams each. Each team will face each other in each group in one single rounded robin format. After the group stage, the top team of each group will go to the semifinals, while the clothes in third position will clash in the playoffs of the fifth place.
The group stage will be held from July 29 to August 4, while the classification of positions and medal matches will take place from 5-7 August. India has been withdrawn with host British, Canada, Wales and Ghana in Group A. In the absence of Rampal, India will be captured by goalkeeper Savita Punia and their first match is scheduled for July 29, against Ghana.
