MSSA currently lacks vision, planning & execution: Bing
After spending 16 years in office as president of the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA), Fr Jude Rodrigues has finally found a worthy opponent. Hockey Secretary Lawrence Bing, who resigned from his post last month, has decided to contest against Fr Rodrigues in the MSSA election scheduled for July.
Lawrence, who turned out to be the most active of all other sports secretaries, managed to keep his sport (hockey) abuzz even when people were confined to their homes during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Through his innovative ideas, he organised hockey webinars, talk shows, drawing competitions, skill competitions, etc. So much so, that one of the video entries sent by a school-sport athlete was picked up by the Olympic Channel and was showcased globally as part of build-up to Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Lawrence has now decided to contest the MSSA elections and formed the Progressive Panel as a part of his efforts to improve the body in all departments. He says, “there’s a lot that can be done.”
In an interview with The Free Press Journal, Lawrence opens up on variety of issues that MSSA faces and how he plans to change it. Excerpts:
Why have you decided to contest the MSSA elections for president’s post?
There are several reasons. MSSA currently lacks vision, planning & execution and is devoid of innovative ideas for conducting tournaments, sports development, nurturing/creating of talent pool and infrastructure development. During my experience as a hockey secretary, I observed that the president wants to dictatorially control the entire managing committee, barring football, despite facing innumerable negative feedbacks from various stakeholders like schools/coaches, media, etc. He also imposes decisions on few MC members without prior discussion in the MC meetings. MSSA as sports body has never progressed. Lack of proper facilities for conducting various sports tournaments. In fact, for the last 15 years it has only promised an artificial surface with no concrete plans for developing the same.
What is the first thing will you do if you are elected as MSSA president?
As a panel, we feel that our MSSA staff issues/concerns needs to be addressed on a war-footing and get a resolution to their decade-old fight with the existing president who has liberty to speak for coaches and teachers and invite them for suggestions. We will be getting medical policy for teachers.
What made you quit as Hockey Secretary?
I was like a toothless tiger in a cage with only responsibility but no authority. The high-handedness shown to me in executing my role and responsibilities as a hockey secretary were too much to handle. Obstacles were created which were completely unethical, unprofessional and uncalled for, making it very difficult for me to function in a desired manner.
What kind of response you are receiving as a candidate?
The response has been very overwhelming and encouraging, which has given me and my panel a renewed vigour and motivation to transform MSSA as a leading body in school sports which all member schools will take pride in associating with us. This time we have secret voters.