Resume training: Gill

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 12

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr M.S.Gill today expressed his concern at the stand-off between Hockey India and the national team, and felt that “the duty of all players is to continue training, and be ready to play the first match of the World Cup on 28th of February against Pakistan”. He appealed to the players to “immediately join training and continue with full heart till the tournament, and focus to win it”. He said he would do “everything possible to give the players a fair deal”.

Dr Gill said the Sports Authority of India had been in close touch with the situation. But he was, however, of the opinion that “an immediate long term solution is not possible”.

Gill said since the IHF was removed last year, the new Hockey India body was in the process of being formed as the “current committee is of an ad-hoc nature”.

“The election process for Hockey India, under the guidance of the Ministry’s observer and the FIH is in process, and will be completed on 7th February, 2010 when a regular management with a regular tenure, will assume responsibility.”

He said the renovated National Stadium, which he inspected today, was ready and will be the “best hockey stadium in the world. The players must train, and I expect good results”. Dr Gill promised that after the World Cup, the Sports Ministry “will be in dialogue with the new elected management of Hockey India, to find a satisfactory solution to all issues raised by the players.” “Everyone knows in the country that it is my objective to lift Indian Hockey to the glorious level it has had in the past”, he added.