Babu kicks coach out at girls’ soccer final played between Baroda and Gandhinagar

The last day of the Khel Mahakumbh on Tuesday was marred by a controversy during the open category girls’ football final played between Baroda and Gandhinagar. 

The commissioner, Commissionerate of Schools, CV Som, who was the chief guest at the match, had allegedly got the coach of the Baroda team sacked and had instructions sent to him to stay out of the field during the final match.

It has been alleged that Som was angry with the coach because, in an earlier match in which the coach had officiated as referee, he had shown the IAS officer’s daughter the yellow card. Som’s daughter is in the Gandhinagar team which won Tuesday’s final.

Before the final kicked off, Baroda’s coach Dipak Salunke was asked to stay away from the match venue, the St Xavier’s Loyola ground.

Baroda team members said that earlier, in the semifinals, Salunke, in his capacity as a referee, had shown the yellow card to Som’s daughter who was playing for Gandhinagar against Junagadh. The player had taken a break without first informing the referee, after which she was warned with the yellow card. 

“Furious with the referee’s on-field decision, Som used his contacts and got Salunke out of Khel Mahakumbh,” alleged Ashu Manchanda, manager of the Baroda team, after the match.

“Salunke was not only not allowed to officiate but also sacked as a coach just before the final. He is afraid of further action, which is why he is not coming inside.”

DNA has a copy of the letter which was issued to Salunke by the district sports officer, Vadodara, on December 13. The letter doesn’t give a substantial reason why Salunke was removed. The Baroda team was provided with a makeshift coach for the title match, which the Gandhingar girls won 3-1 via tiebreaker.

The IAS officer allegedly threw tantrums even during the finals. He jumped out of his seat and demanded the yellow card when his daughter was tackled by a Baroda defender. Dinesh Nair, a FIFA referee who was officiating the match, threatened to withdraw from the game.

“He was talking nonsense and showing attitude,” said Jaggi Yadav, an Ahmedabad district football association referee who was assisting Nair. “Instead of behaving like a responsible officer, he was trying to threaten us. A referee of Nair’s stature knows his job well.”  However, Som has denied all allegations.

“Just because they lost the match, they are making a hue and cry,” he said. “Moreover, I didn’t say no to Salunke. We just protested against his dual role as coach and referee. He was in a conflict of interest position. I think SAG took the correct decision, though late.”  

Then he added: "Won't you too react if your daughter is tackled?"  But people disappointed with the bureaucrat's conduct have pointed out that the Sports Authority of Gujarat was well aware for nearly one month that Salunke was in-charge.

"Then why did they give him the dual responsibility?" asked Akshay Shah, father of a Baroda player. "If Som says there was a conflict of interest, then my question to him is, why is he here as chief guest when his daughter is playing? Where does his interest lie, with Vadodara or with Gandhinagar?"

Demanding justice, Baroda girls held up the prize distribution ceremony for more than hour. "We just want our coach to be here. But the fear of Som is keeping him away." Later, the ceremony was held behind closed doors under the supervision of police officials called by Som.

Meanwhile, the Jamnagar men's team defeated Dahod 4-0 to win the open category final. Sagar Thapa scored a brace while Mehul Rana and Yuvraj Pun netted one each for the victory.