Three-way tussle for Indian hockey

Sharad Deep

Lucknow

FROM THE look of things, there is a three-way battle for control of Indian hockey . And as happens in such situations, all are claiming to have what it takes to revive the sport which fetched us eight Olympic gold medals and one world championship.

In one corner is the ad hoc body constituted by the Indian Olympic Association last April. In another is the group led by Bengal Hockey Association (BHA) president J.B.

Roy which claims to have the support of 32 of the 41 state units. And in the third is K.P.S. Gill and his men.

In this battle for su premacy, some find themselves in a tricky situation. Like Chandigarh Hockey Association secretary Chan- drasekhar for instance.

He has reportedly been drafted into the Gill-led three-member committee to represent the group in the Indian Olympic Association. Last week, at a seminar at Amby Valley, Chandr shekhar was chosen in the three-mem ber team Roy formed for the same pur pose.

“Some people are in constant touch with all the groups. They are waiting for the right time to play their cards to bag a post in the Indian Hockey Feder ation,” said a state unit chief on condition of anonymity.

The official also feared that if this situation continues for long, it would enable the IOA to put its own people into the IHF when elections happen.

“It’s true that when three people fight, the intelligent one wins. I see a similar situation in Indian hockey,” the official added.

Sources also said that at the Indian Hockey Federa tion Annual General Meeting some people openly opposed the presence of suspended secretary Jothikumaran.

“How could the man who brought disgrace to the IHF and Indian hockey be there,” asked someone who attended the New Delhi meeting.