One year of ad hoc rule
Mihir Vasavda

Wednesday, April 29

Mumbai: On April 28, 2008, a decision was taken by the Indian Olympic Association that has had its bearing on Indian hockey. The next day, the hockey fraternity woke up to a new morning. Following India’s disaster at the Olympic qualifiers and the sting operation on Indian Hockey Federation secretary Jyothikumaran left IOA with no option but to dissolve the KPS Gill-led IHF and appoint an ad hoc committee.

A lot of good has happened in the last one year but there have been plenty of roadblocks too.

Under the ad hoc committee,India has done well. However, administration wise, a lot of dissatisfaction still prevails. The makeshift body still has to get its house in order and many issues are yet to be sorted out. Hockey nationals are yet to be held, the issue of coach is yet to be settled and even though the IOA is closing in on to sign Jose Brasa, nothing can be confirmed until the deal is penned.

But first and foremost, formation of a common federation for men’s and women’s team has to be done. The international hockey federation has already warned India of forming a proper federation soon else the 2010 world cup will be taken away from them. It is clear that the sport cannot be run in ‘ad hoc’ style forever and without the federation, the players are suffering the most.

IOA’s ongoing tussle with Sahara over sponsorship means even though the players are donning the Sahara logo on their jersey, they are not able to reap full benefits of it. The players are not getting the match fees, nor are they getting sufficient daily allowance during their foreign tours.

But there have been positives too. The ability of the IOA to arrange for a busy calendar for the national team is welcome and the successful hosting of the Punjab Gold Cup was a shot in the arm for the survival of the sport in the country. The junior team has been doing well so far.

Ever since the IHF was dissolved, there have been signs of improvement. However, the real question is whether we can succeed in the 2010 World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

Courtesy: Daily News Analysis