Nationals from today

Uncertainty prevailed on the eve of the 56th IHF Senior women’s National hockey championship with only half of the participating teams having checked into the City.

On the eve of the tournament, the organisers were struggling to put the logistics in place and draw up a proper schedule.

This follows a day after Hockey India — which along with IHF claims to be the National Sports Federation — shot off a letter to defending champions Indian Railways asking them not to participate in the event and urging their players to report to the National camp in New Delhi.

The letter from HI — locked in a legal tussle with IHF over the NSF status — also questioned the authenticity of the National championship, leaving many players and States in a dilemma on whether to participate or not.

“We request you to re-consider your decision of participating in the unauthorised tournament in Bangalore, and also if our request is not looked into then if any player by virtue of FIH regulations effective 11 March 2011 is barred/ banned from participating FIH events/ National Team then Railways will be soley responsible/ liable for the same,” the HI letter said.

It was not clear until Tuesday evening whether Railways were going to participate. By Tuesday, only 16 teams had arrived in the city, with many others expected reach only by Wednesday.

“As of now only Chandigarh have pulled out citing examinations,” said Radha Murthy, Secretary of Karnataka State Women’s Hockey Association. “I have no information on Railways. Sixteen teams have already arrived while others are expected to reach by Wednesday. Many of them are travelling so it’s difficult to contact them. The tournament will go on no matter what.”

Hockey India conducted the Senior Nationals for women in January this year where hosts Haryana emerged champions.

Karnataka confident

Meanwhile, hosts Karnataka exuded confidence that they would be able to regain the title which they last won nearly three decades ago. “The squad has prepared well for the event,” said chief coach MK Devarajamma. “We’ve done well in the last year and hope to go all the way.”

The team had lost to Punjab in the semifinals of the Nationals conducted by HI before triumphing in the South Zone championship last month in Tamil Nadu.