Pargat asks Rahul to bail out hockey

BANGALORE: Former India captain and Olympian Pargat Singh has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to find a lasting solution to the mess Indian hockey finds itself in now.

Pargat, who led a five-member delegation, met Gandhi at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum which sought the formation of a committee by the Union sports ministry to solve the electoral wrangles in several states and pave the way for a fair and democratic Hockey India election.

The delegation comprised of 1968 Mexico Olympics skipper Gurbux Singh, former Indian Women’s Hockey Federation secretary Amrit Bose, Rajasthan association president Raj Kumar and veteran umpire Kukoo Walia. “Mr. Gandhi gave us a patient hearing and said he would look into the matter. His response to our plea was encouraging,” sources told TOI.

The delegation wanted the ministry-appointed panel of experts to resolve the standoff in states which have been racked by warring factions, multiple associations or litigations. “Some of these states have ad hoc bodies which have forcibly shunted out people from the hockey fraternity and installed state Olympic association officials as heads. Why should there be ad hoc committees at all when duly elected bodies can be put in place?” the sources asked.

The delegation wanted the ad hoc bodies to be dissolved and a fresh merger process initiated in the states. “We are confident the committee can do it in a few weeks’ time. This would lead to a new electoral college but one which is recognised by the hockey fraternity. But quick action needs to be taken as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has set a deadline of May 31,” the sources said.