s2h editor K. Arumugam met Randhir Singh, General Secretary, Indian Olympic Association and also member, ad-hoc committee on hockey and gave letter which contains the follwoing five suggestions to kick start hockey in India under the new governance regime.

When I gave the letter Olympian Jagbir Singh was there. Randhir Singh asked me to give a copy of the letter to him also, which I did. Randhir Singh told that Jagbir Singh is working on training matters of hockey. It is worthwhile to inform that Jagbir Singh was assistant coach of India for about six months. He was deputy to Gerrard Rach from June to December 2004.

CONTENTS OF THE LETTER

Like millions of sports lovers, I am also happy on IOA’s initiative to form ad-hoc Committee to run the nation’s hockey affairs. As of now the nation expects a series of serious measures from the IOA, and the expectations now are high. It is therefore necessary for the IOA to at least announce some policy measures right now. I have the following five suggestions, cost effective and easy to implement, in this respect.

Annual Hockey Player Award

Award and Organize within a month an Annual Hockey Player Award in the categories of Most Valuable Player for 2007, Promising Player and Young Player. Each Award to carry a minimum cash prize of Rs.1 lac each and an Award Function to be organized in a metro city. I worked out a point based selection process, can be fine tuned after discussion with a small panel that IOA may constitute. If announced, this will strike with media, easy to get sponsor for such a programme and will send right signal to the public and playing community.

Landmark Golden Stick Award

Four type of Gold Plated Sticks to be designed for presenting to Players when they cross landmark in term of number of matches and score goals. If a player crosses 50 caps or goals he will be given Silver Stick, Golden Stick for 100, Platinum (coated) Stick for 150 and Diamond studded Stick for more than 150.

Player Retirement Honour and Honororium

Whenever a player retires, a citation and an award based on number of matches he played to be given.

Announcement of Selection Policy

Team selection is not only inviting handful of former Olympians on the eve of major tournaments, but also spotting and tracking talents in all corners of the country. Identify tournaments to be watched, honorarium for selectors and a Process of identification, grooming and monitoring various parameters of identified new talents

Announcement of Domestic Training Policy

Identify and announce Six Regional Chief coaches to train each Hockey Region / Zone (North, West, South, East, Central and North Eastern Zones). These Chief Coaches will report to a Super Coach. Avoiding duplication and synergization of existing teams are vital areas of concern and further study. A policy on this aspect, after due consultation with concerned experts, will set future course on right path.

Each suggestion has many components that need to be discussed and various parameters set out. However, these suggestions if given shape will help improving the profile of hockey. These will also be hit with players and media.

I offer my services in formulating and giving definite shape to these suggestions, if invited.

This letter is also sent to all five selection committee members.