“Many times I, as team manager, witnessed certain SGFI administrators, umpires and coaches conspire to eliminate, by hook or by crook, Uttar Pradesh teams from the under-14, under-17 and under-19 National Games. There were times when my players were beaten up for winning matches against a few particular states. On the other occasions, we were told to lose finals and semi-finals, or biased umpires cheated us blatantly. All these incidents discouraged and disillusioned boys from continuing to play hockey,” Mishra emphasises. “Also, Uttar Pradesh players have been consistently ignored by selectors. This has to change. But this World Cup craze may produce some good players. Let’s see.”