Shake and join hands: Maken tells officials

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

To end the ongoing feud between Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken has invited the officials of both bodies to agree to a compromise formula. If they do not, the Government would take a “firm step.”

Maken, a self-confessed “hockey lover,” offered a solution whereby a body with equal number of representatives from HI and IHF would run the sport in the country.

“We know there are good people on both sides. I have invited them to a meeting with this proposal. I also want this new “federation” to decide on the appointment of the foreign coach,” said the Minister.

NOTHING HAPPENED

The Minister also revealed how he had tried to mediate between the officials from both sections recently at the residence of former IHF President K.P.S. Gill, but “nothing happened.”

Maken, however, chose not to discuss the “firm step” the government had in mind in case the impasse continued.

Significantly, Maken went on record, saying “money will not be a constraint in bringing in foreign coaches in any discipline, if the federation and the players so desired. As things stand, we have increased the upper limit of the monthly remuneration for foreign coaches from $5000 to $7000.”

On the Mudgal Commitee, set up by the Sports Ministry to consider the suggestions made from several sections in drafting the National Sports Bill, the Minister said the panel’s report was ready and will be submitted to the government on Sunday.

He reiterated the Ministry’s stand on the tenure and age of the sports officials.

“The fundamental spirit behind the bill will not be tampered with. We understand that the time has come for reforms for good governance and transparency in the working of the sports bodies.

WILL NOT BE INTRUSIVE

“The idea is to make sports bodies public authorities and bring them under the RTI Act. The government is clear on maintaining the autonomy of the sports bodies and will not be intrusive in its working,” he added.

“The Government has also agreed to the proposal to make the Sports Authority of India (SAI) accountable under the new bill at all three levels — policy, administration and legislation,” stressed Maken.

About preparing the Indian contingent for the 2012 London Olympics, he said that the Ministry had allocated Rs. 258.39 crore, including Rs. 20 crore on the services of the foreign coaches.

The Minister also released a list of 25 Government Observers for 16 Olympic disciplines. In all, 28 foreign coaches have been given the green signal by the Ministry.

SPECIAL CELL

Maken also mentioned that a special cell in the SAI’s Teams’ Wing had been created to expedite the clearance of sportspersons for participation in overseas competitions.

“A three-member committee, comprising one nominee each from the Indian Olympic Association and SAI, along with an eminent sportsperson, will visit the National camps.

They will look particularly into the aspect of diet and nutrition, and give a weekly report directly to me. We want to make sure that our sportsmen get the best,” the Minister said.