News for 06 May 2016
All the news for Friday 6 May 2016
Hanham shakes off bad run of luck
Looking forward is all North Harbour’s Alex Hanham wants to do after a tough 2015.
Hanham’s personal form was strong throughout the year, however team success proved elusive, and as if that wasn’t bad enough his year ended early after surgery on his calves.
“It was a necessary thing I had to do, it was preventing me from being able to train and perform when I needed to, particularly at international level. Thus far I haven’t had any issues with my calves so I’m pretty happy.”
Hanham recovered in time to take part in the Junior World Cup qualifiers in Australia earlier this year, an experience he enjoyed.
“Every time we come together we haven’t played with each other in a while so I felt it was a really good learning experience for us. I felt like throughout the week we really grew as a team.”
This trip, coupled with the trip to Europe in the middle of 2015, has Hanham looking forward with anticipation to the Junior World Cup in December.
“I am confident that we can bring home the trophy. We have been together in New Zealand teams since our first year of Under 18s and we are really learning off each other and gelling as a team.”
Hanham has long been on the national selectors radar, after standing out whilst playing for Kristin School on Auckland’s North Shore. A diminutive midfielder, Hanham has been looking at taking more of a leadership role with the Harbour team this year.
“With our team we have seven to eight new players and last year was the same, in the past two years we have been looking at teaching the new players coming in and making sure we can keep everything in line.”
Hanham’s long term goal is to make the Black Sticks side, and he does not have to look far for inspiration.
He is a member of a very strong Takapuna Side, which features current and former Black Sticks such as Dave Kosoof, George Muir, Blair Hilton and Dave Green.
“It’s great having Blair and George there (and Dave Kosoof) – they are players who are involved around my position. Even just showing up to watch our games, they have a bird’s eye view and can really help me out.”
Hanham and his North Harbour side took a step towards the final on Thursday, beating Canterbury 3-2.
In other Men’s results, Southern defeated Central 2-1 and Midlands kept their hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Capital.
CLICK HERE for all scores, standings and stats from the National U21 Tournament
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Kampong's Harte focusing on big fortnight ahead
Picture: Koen Suyk
Kampong goalkeeper David Harte says his side is looking to bounce back quickly following their elimination from the Dutch Hoofdklasse playoffs last weekend to Amsterdam.
The Utrecht won the first game but fell in a controversial game last Saturday in the Wagener Stadium in extra time before losing the third leg on Sunday - their first loss in normal time since the start of 2016.
But Kampong still have a lot to play for in the coming weeks, starting today with the first leg of their EHL qualifier with HGC – the winner over two of three legs will play in the EHL along with Amsterdam and Oranje Zwart.
And then the focus will switch to the FINAL4 in Barcelona. Harte told the EHL website it is a series of very special matches to close out the season.
“There was huge disappointment in the manner we lost to Amsterdam, the second game in particular with red cards and penalty decisions going against us.
“Nonetheless, it was an unbelievable experience being in front of a packed Wagener Stadium two days in a row with phenomenal support from my own club.
“We know we have a job to get back into the EHL now which is up for grabs, Saturday and, if needed, Sunday. We were seven points off the playoffs at the turn of the year so everyone would have written us off to even get this far.”
With such a big game on the near horizon, direct focus on the FINAL4 is slightly on hold but Harte says the side has had meetings about how best to approach the challenge of facing Atlètic Terrassa.
“It’s a phenomenal opportunity to win a major tournament; it’s the furthest we have ever gone and it is a tournament we relish being in. To get in the FINAL4 is fantastic but we have to make sure this weekend that we get there again next year and do the job.”
Harte was speaking while on a quick trip back to Dublin to promote Ireland’s fundraising campaign for the Olympic Games. They are currently looking to raise €225,000 to help the team to train full-time during the summer with many of their players having to take time off their regular day jobs and be competitive on the world stage against teams who are almost all playing on a full-time basis.
To this end, the team is organising a gala dinner, a golf classic as well as a Pledge Sports campaign to try and cover the funding shortfall.
Thus far, over €15,000 has been donated by the public and the side are accepting all support from the public at the following link: https://www.pledgesports.org/projects/obsessed/
Euro Hockey League media release
Quest for medal - Smells like team spirit
Manuja Veerappa
BENGALURU: A little before 1pm on a particularly hot day, India hockey team physio Shrikanth Iyengar walked into the SAI South Centre cafeteria for a meal. Having missed breakfast, Iyengar was looking forward to a hearty lunch when something struck him - lunch time for the day was 1.30 pm. A famished Iyengar walked out saying, "We eat together."
Later at 1.28 pm, the entire team walked in for lunch and the players and staff carefully chose their seats, each individual keeping in mind his place at the table the previous day. High performance director and chief coach Roelant Oltmans isn't running a boot camp at SAI in the run-up to the Rio Olympic Games. With the aim of team building on his mind, the routine is part of a carefully planned process the Dutchman put in place when the team qualified for the Olympics at the 2014 Asian Games.
With the team comprising players from different states, coaches in the past have struggled to fully dissolve barriers of language and culture. When he took over two seasons ago, Oltmans began paying special attention to this issue and the results are showing. Apart from putting in the hard yards on the turf, the players also spend time bonding with each other off the pitch. Their mantra: A team that stays plays together, stays together.
BEHAVE OR YOU'LL BE FINED
The men's hockey team works by the clock - whether it is for a meal or practice, the players always have an eye on the watch. Come late and you have to cough up a fine of Rs 500.
"We don't see it as a fine," goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said. "It is a reminder of our responsibilities. It is about discipline and it really works. There is no grace period. We have to pay a fine if we skip a meal and even if we forget to bring towels or water bottles to the gym. In each camp, we have a collector who keeps a track of the defaulters."
The money collected is often ultilised for team dinners, refreshments during long transit hours and to tip maintenance staff. Leading the contributers' list currently is midfielder and local boy SK Uthappa.
EATING TOGETHER
Players are expected to mingle and are not allowed to sit with the same group for two straight days. They have to come in and leave together even if it means having to wait for the slow eaters to finish their meals. "Earlier, players from Karnataka would sit together and likewise people who come from the same region would have meals together. But not anymore," says ace striker SV Sunil. "As a result, I believe our on-field understanding and communication has improved." Language barriers, too, have been broken, says Uthappa. "When we sit for meals together, we mingle with everybody .There is no language barrier since we are allowed to speak only in English or Hindi."
TEAM OUTINGS
From going bowling to watching movies and dinner outings, Oltman's boys are spending a lot of off-field time with each other. "Our off-field bonding is very important for our on-field communication and the various team-building activities have played a huge role," says dragflicker Rupinderpal Singh. VR Raghunath chips in, saying, "We also play cricket and have fun activities such as treasure hunt, where we are divided into three groups and the team management leaves clues for us across the vast campus."
POST-IT MESSAGES AND MAKING NOTES
The team hostel's lobby sports a drawing of a tree, which is dotted with post-its of players writing about what they like about each other. A part of the mental conditioning programme, the players express their thoughts anonymously. The players are also expected to keep notes from team meetings and sessions with the psychologist.
The Times of India
Innovative PHF prepares hockey calendar
By Syed Intikhab Ali
KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has planned events for 2016, adding many new domestic events at various levels to popularise the national game.
Director development Naveed Alam told ‘The News’ that after hectic efforts the calendar has been finalised and PHF’s chiefs have approved it.
Sources said that besides the senior national and junior teams’ international assignments, the details of all domestic events are also part of the calendar.
Hockey-5, the most innovative format, is being introduced in domestic competitions. It may be be organised during Ramadan under floodlights in Lahore.
A hockey-5 event will also be organised in Karachi. The PHF is also keen to organise nine-a-side event.
There will be competitions among schools, colleges and clubs. There will be regional inter-club and provincial inter-club leagues.
The PHF will also hold CM inter-club championship and PM inter-club championship.
The PHF is seeking to strengthen the national game at the grassroots level and encouraging youngsters to participate in hockey events. It will organise under-16 events, including under-16 summer camp, under-16 talent hunt and under-16 champions league.
The PHF will particularly pay attention to school level hockey so that boys start playing hockey at an early age and their talent can easily be identified. School events will be organised by PHF at regional, provincial and national level.
The PHF will also send under-18 and under-21 teams to participate in international events, including Boys Under-18 Asia Cup in Muscat.
Officials claimed that it was one of the most detailed and comprehensive calendar ever prepared by PHF.
The Pakistan Supper League (PSL) is also part of the calendar, besides several women hockey events.
Pakistan will participate in Women’s AFC Cup in Bangkok, Women Asian Championship and Girls Under-18 Asia Cup in Colombo.
To commemorate the services of Ustad Aslam Roda, a memorial tournament will be organised in his name in Gojra.
The News International
Negri HA Razak Cup Open trials
By Jugjet Singh
NEGRI Sembilan will miss the services of national No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar for the Razak Cup in Kuala Lumpur on May 21-29.
Injury has forced him out of representing his home state.
Kumar is still undergoing rehabilitation after tearing his adductor muscle while playing in the last Test match against Australia in Perth last month.
"He will not be ready for the Razak Cup, but we have our back-up plans to blood younger goalkeepers," said Negri Sembilan Razak Cup coach S. Chandran.
Kumar, 37, who has been playing in the Razak Cup since 1997, played for his home state last season but Negri lost in the Fifth-Sixth classification 3-7 to Pahang.
"Kumar is expected to undergo a check with the National Sports Institute on May 17, but it is too late to wait for him. We will also field many Malaysia Games players this season, and hopefully the young side will do much better than last year," said Chandran.
Malacca were the surprise package last year when they wobbled into the final, but beat favourites and 2014 champions Perak 1-0 to lift the title.
Negri Sembilan will be holding an Open trial on Saturday at the Seremban II Stadium from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
For more information, call Chandran at 016-3157113 or NSHA secetary P. Tamilselvam at 019-3650303.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Kuala Lumpur ready to have another go at Razak Cup glory
By S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: Former champions Kuala Lumpur are ready to regain the Razak Cup crown they relinquished five years ago.
The 19-time champions believe they have the material to win the title this time.
And to help them chart their fortunes is coach K. Rajan, who had taken them to five titles from 2002.
Rajan was also in charge in 2013, when KL made it all the way to the final before losing to Perak.
But Rajan said that they have a much better side this time and is confident of regaining the title they last won in 2010.
“We have, over the last few years, exposed quite a lot of players from the Sukma (Malaysia Games) ranks. Today, many of them have made the national team (both the junior and senior sides). I have nine players who are national team materials. My two goalkeepers are also former National Juniors. So, I believe we have a balanced side to aim for the title,” he said.
The national players in the KL ranks are Mohd Ramadan Rosli, Izzat Sumantri, Baljit Singh, Shahril Saabah, Syafiq Sumantri, Mohd Aideed Aiman Rozemi, Joel van Huizen and Harvinder Singh.
Another fomer international, Mohd Syamin Yusof, is also part of the team. The former National Juniors goalkeepers are Abdul Hakim Adnan and Shahrul Azaddin Auskarzie.
“Basically, we have a young team ... but a vastly experienced line-up. The target is to go all the way and regain the title. It won’t be easy as all the other teams will also have a blend of experience and youngsters from their Sukma team.
“Malacca’s unexpected win last year will surely encourage others to aim for the title as well,” he said.
Malacca, with the bulk of their players coming from the Sukma squad, surprised everyone to win the title when they defeated the vastly-experienced Perak team.
This year, there will be a full quota of 16 teams in the fray.
The competition format will only be confirmed when the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee meet tomorrow.
The tournament will be held in KL from May 21-29.
The Star of Malaysia
USWNT Katie Bam to Motivate Elementary Students as a Team for Tomorrow Athlete Ambassador
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team and 2016 Olympic Games hopeful, Katie Bam (Blue Bell, Pa.), will visit Richland Elementary School in Quakertown, Pa., tomorrow, May 6, as an athlete ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) Team for Tomorrow program.
Bam will speak to third-grade students about the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle, and share her story of determination and commitment to earning a spot on the women’s field hockey team that will represent the United States at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Following her presentation, Bam will lead participants in various physical activities, sign autographs and donate a sport package to Richland Elementary School, including a variety of equipment, such as hula hoops, basketballs, jump ropes and cones.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with the students at Richland Elementary as a Team for Tomorrow ambassador,” said Bam, Olympic women’s field hockey athlete. “Even while my teammates and I remain sharply focused on earning a spot on this year’s Olympic roster, giving back to the community whenever I can is always a priority.”
The USOC launched Team for Tomorrow in 2008 in partnership with U.S. Olympians and Paralympians to provide a vehicle through which U.S. athletes can offer their assistance and support to those in need around the world, as well as a means to continue spreading the Olympic Values of excellence, friendship and respect. Through this initiative, U.S. athletes offer assistance and support in the form of donations, volunteerism, disaster recovery support, advocacy and other contributions to communities.
Bam and her fellow Team for Tomorrow athlete ambassadors are serving as captains of the program on behalf of the entire 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. As ambassadors, this select group of athletes act as advocates and champions of the effort, educating their U.S. teammates and spreading awareness about Team for Tomorrow's causes for 2016.
Content Courtesy of the USOC
USFHA media release
Hockey folly: Shame on SASCOC
Dhirshan Gobind
With Rio 2016 a mere three months away, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), has still not budged with regard to our men's and women's hockey teams and both will unfortunately not be participating in the coveted and prestigious Olympic Games.
Having met both the International Hockey Federation’s (IHF) as well as the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) qualifying criteria by both being crowned champions of Africa, SASCOC simply does not have faith in these teams. The red tape of SASCOC’s strict qualifying criteria will no doubt have serious repercussions and consequences down the line.
Short-sighted, petulant and self-serving - this seems the only way I can describe the above-mentioned sporting body.
But then again this is South Africa!
Do they not realise that they are robbing these young teams, players and indeed our next generation of invaluable experience at a large event, which is bound to benefit the teams in the long run?
They are also preventing these young players from getting noticed by big leagues around the world and enjoying the lucrative benefits that come with it, thus affecting their financial futures and livelihoods, as many players have given up careers to focus on Olympic qualification. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lost! The country itself is also being robbed from simply being represented in this event, at an Olympic Games, which is a huge honour in itself.
This type of decision could very well be the death knell for the sport in a country that does not even have sponsors for this popular code, which makes qualification all the more impressive. I really feel for the South African Hockey Association (SAHA), who have worked wonders with these teams.
Both teams rankings are inevitably going to drop and World Cup participation in 2018 is now also up in the air. SASCOC certainly did not logically think ahead to the 2022 Commonwealth Games where the host’s involvement is virtually mandatory and our teams will compete.
How badly will this latest furore set us back?
Women’s coach Sheldon Rostron stated that this was an excellent opportunity for the team to break into the top 10 in the world rankings and take on the best teams in the business at their peak.
Not even a petition signed by more than 15 000 livid supporters and fans and presented to SASCOC was enough to sway their minds. It again proves that the people in charge don’t really take the ordinary citizens feelings and thoughts into account when it matters most.
The players themselves made great sacrifices and as previously stated, most even stopped working and studying. This type of commitment was sadly not reciprocated by SASCOC. They happily allowed and gave the green light to both our men’s and women’s football teams who both only qualified in third position in their respective tournaments.
SASCOC claim that this allowance was made due to the lack of international events for these teams but still, there are some serious double standards at play here.
What is the worst that could have happened?
The team ends last in their group among the best teams in the world (all true hockey fans know that last place won’t even happen).
No shame in this at all. The beauty of sport is that anything can occur at big events. The underdog has proven to go beyond the impossible and achieve the improbable.
One’s mind wonders to the Greek football team being crowned European Champions in 2004 or indeed to the current fairytale story of Leicester City toppling 5 000/1 odds and ruling English football.
Our country is steeped in hockey tradition, has international pedigree and a strong heritage of producing world class athletes in the sport.
World record international goal scorer Pietie Coetzee comes to mind.
What is to say that our Hockey teams, with true South African fighting spirit cannot reach the same heights and bring home some medals?
Sadly we will never know.
I feel for the players themselves who put their bodies on the line in order to qualify and are being prevented from being Olympians, which is an experience every sportsman dreams of and aspires to.
There is still time and this is mainly the reason for me penning this piece early enough.
I sincerely hope that Tubby Reddy and his clique rethink and do the right thing for once. I implore sports minister Fikile Mbalula to get involved and ensure the correct resolution is taken.
He is always outspoken and interferes in any case, so why not now when it is for once necessary and required? Where is their national pride from SASCOC?
But then again, this is a South African sports body. What else did we really expect?
Dhirshan Gobind is a 30-something freelance sports columnist/writer/blogger and a UKZN alumnus with a degree in Marketing Management. He also has a sports column in ‘The Post’.
Sport24
PHF bans Islamabad’s Tiger Club for human trafficking
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has imposed a ban on Tiger Club, an affiliated club of the Islamabad Hockey Association (IHA), after its alleged involvement in human trafficking.
“We’ve imposed ban on Tiger Club and now it will not be able to participate or hold any event till the probe is completed,” PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar told a news conference here on Thursday.
The Tiger Club recently hosted an indoor tournament at Islamabad’s Pakistan Sports Complex, with the help of some individuals who were allegedly involved in human trafficking.
A few days ago, Khokhar said, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) forwarded a copy to the PHF, which contained complaints regarding alleged involvement of some individuals related to Tiger Club in human trafficking. “We’ve also issued a warning letter to IHA and directed it to investigate the matter and submit a report to us at the earliest,” he said.
To a question, he admitted that the PHF had allowed Tiger Club to hold indoor event in Islamabad stating that the federation had just given the permission but it was not involved in holding of the event.
“We’ve received the request for this event through our affiliated unit (IHA). Indoor hockey in Pakistan is relatively a new concept. I was invited at the concluding ceremony of that event and I distributed prizes among the players. But till that time I did not know anything which have surfaced now,” he maintained.
“The PHF will back all positive sports activities but now we’ve decided that each and every tournament in the country, no matter at which level it is being played, will now only be held under the aegis of the PHF.”
The PHF president said the federation was focusing to regularise hockey at the school and club levels as it believed this was the only best way to revive the national game in the country. “For that we’ll soon start laying down small astro turfs in various areas of the country so that youngsters may be given better facilities and attracted towards hockey.”
He said hockey academies would be set up in various parts of the country, particularly in the areas which have been producing talented players.
Khokhar said the funds provided by the government to the PHF were being spent carefully. “We’ll not indulge in lavish spending. We are spending this amount on training camps and team tours. This money is a trust, it belongs to hockey and players and will only be spent on them,” he maintained.
To another query, he said Pakistan’s first professional domestic league would be launched in October-November, involving foreign players.
“Work on the professional league is in progress and soon it will be given final touches. We [in this regard] are in touch with foreign players, including Europeans,” he said.
Dawn
PHF says it has nothing to do with human trafficking
Mohsin Ali
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and secretary Olympian Shahbaz Ahmad Senior categorically denied allegations against the federation’s involvement in human trafficking.
Speaking at the ‘Meet The Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA)’ at PMDC office on Thursday, the PHF president completely rubbished the claims made by a few individuals denying saying neither the federation nor any PHF official are involved in human trafficking.
“We are neat and clean and have nothing to do with such crime.
Three groups contacted me to conduct indoor hockey events and I, after consulting with Shahbaz Senior, gave them permission to hold it, but we didn’t issue any permission letter to any one for international participation.
“If anyone has proofs on the PHF letter pad or any PHF official is involved in human trafficking, one must bring into my notice, it is my promise I will take action and give exemplary punishment to the culprit,” he added.
Brig Sajjad said they suspended Tiger Hockey Club immediately and also wrote a letter to all the affiliated associations in this regard.
“Shahbaz attended Aamir Salman’s event in Dubai, but he had no personal relations with the guy.
In fact, he attended the event just for the promotion of hockey at international level.
I also attended the prize distribution ceremony, but we were not aware of the hidden facts.
Now we have formulated a high-level inquiry committee and waiting for their report to be submitted.
As soon as we get the report, we would duly act and take the culprits to task.
” He said he had taken over the PHF president charge with some clear goals and vision.
“Let me assure all, if I fail to implement my vision and ideas, I will step down and will not waste a single day in the office.
Yes, I have given a few plans and some of them are implemented and some are in the pipeline.”
He said the biggest achievement of our eight-month tenure was that the junior team managed to beat India twice and booked a place in the Junior Hockey World Cup.
“I accept, Pakistan senior team conceded too many goals in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and we lack behind even in Asia, but we know the direction and we have people, who could take Pakistan hockey back to same old glory days heights, but it will take some time,” he added.
Brig Khalid said when he took over, they had only 30 players to form a national team, but in short span of time, now they had enhanced the pool to 130 through open trials.
“We are also working tirelessly on grooming and inducting U-16 level tournaments.
We have made our annual events’ calendar and their details are mentioned in the calendar.”
He said in short span of time, they managed to hold national championship, women championship, send two junior and one senior team abroad and conducted open trials.
“People talk about Rs 70 million funds released by the government, but they don’t know, we had around Rs 30 million liabilities, which we managed to clear.
It was our top most priority to clear the dues of players, officials, vendors and travel agency.
It is not possible to conduct the championships, camps and send teams abroad for international events in such a meager amount.
“I have met with the officials of the prime minister’s office to discuss in detail the hockey related matters.
I requested them to allocate Rs 250 million annual grant to the PHF.
When our hockey team will start producing results, private sponsors will come forward but right now nobody is ready to rescue the national game of the country,” he added.
When asked about Pakistan Hockey League (PHL), Shahbaz said: “We have received a highly satisfactory response from international players.
We have hired two companies and will give go ahead to the one which will offer us the best revenues.
They promised us to provide at least two international players for each of the five proposed participating teams, while they also assured participation pf European players.
In case, the PHL is not possible at home soil, then we will go for neutral venue, while our negotiations with Haier Pakistan are also on track and within two weeks, the deal will be finalised.”
About Gojra, he said: “Gojra is the nursery of hockey as it has provided so many players to the national team, but unfortunately, groupings hampered the progress.
We are working closely and trying to resolve their issues so that hockey may not suffer and the players of the city get representation in national team.”
Shahbaz Senior said they had been working hard to revive school and college level hockey and to activate academies in different cities.
“If the government gives the PHF control of only one stadium either at Lahore or Karachi, we don’t need to depend on government for funds.
We can easily generate sufficient amount of funds.
We lack quality goalkeepers and short corner specialists and want the former Olympians to help us in finding fresh and promising talent in this regard.”
In the end, the PHF chief and secretary also lauded RISJA for successfully conducting PSWF general council meeting and elections and extended heartiest greetings to newly-elected president Amjed Aziz Malik, secretary Zahid Farooq Malik and office-bearers and also offered their all-out support.
The Nation
Rajya Sabha members demand Bharat Ratna for Dhyan Chand
NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha members across party lines on Thursday demanded that hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand be conferred with Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour.
During Zero Hour, Chandrapal Singh Yadav (SP) raised the issue of the ace hockey player being denied the highest civilian honour despite several countries and personalities, including Adolf Hitler, praising him for his expertise with the stick.
Dhyan Chand had won three Olympic gold medals in hockey for India between 1928 and 1936.
"Major Dhyan Chand received awards and accolades across the world including from Adolf Hitler and the British government. But in our country, he has still not been appreciated as he should have been for making India a world power in hockey," Yadav said.
He said even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat, had called for conferring Bharat Ratna on Dhyan Chand.
Yadav's concerns were supported by members across party lines and even by Deputy Chairman P J Kurien.
"It has the full support of the House," Kurien said.
In March this year, Dilip Tirkey (BJD), former Indian hockey player, had raised the issue of discrimination against Indian sports like kabaddi and hockey and reminded that Dhyan Chand has not been given the Bharat Ratna.
The Times of India