Retain the name and logo of Indian Hockey Federation

The name Indian Hockey Federation is sacrosanct. It was under the name India joined the international federation. IHF was first national body out side Europe to join the International federation. It is under this name, Indian hockey won so much laurels so much so that the sport has come to be regarded as India’s national game.

The name, IHF, in itself is a history making one, and the heritage cannot be thrown away just because some novice in the world hockey body advised.

Many might ask what is in the name. Yes, everything lies in the name if one respect history.

Therefore, the foremost request to the Ministry of Sports, which is now thankfully asserting in the matter of warring hockey groups, is to retain the name of IHF.

The IHF logo should be continued as it is as old as the IHF and its heritage itself. Further, The Hockey India had no mandate to make new logo.

Secondly, the ministry has to be firm. It is showing clear vision and enormous guts to call the bluff of Indian sports federations. Be it to framing the guidelines for Federation elections or taking on the double-talking International Olympic Committee, now we feel Indian government is not groping in dark, nor toothless, not mis-led by the bogus Olympic Charter lobbies as used to be case for long.

Every document the ministry has prepared so far has been an eye-opener. Now, we expect the same firmness and stubbornness from the Ministry with respect to Hockey India and IHF.

The HI and IHF tussle had been over done, bringing enormous harm at every level. We have lost three years.

Whatever the factions, their fight is bogus, ego-ridden nothing to do with the cause of hockey. Its always the government that gives right from kit to air fare for the teams, bears training bills etc., and owns all infrastructure like stadiums.

The factions have no locus standi to go against the provider and protector, the Sports Ministry.

Its nice to hear the other day the Minister Ajay Maken talking in tough lines. Now that the Supreme Court too have given him a tool – to work out compromise — the Minister must enforce his formula on these two factions.

The basic principle of compromise has to be Indian law, Indian concerns. The FIH’s views are important but cannot be the deciding factors.

Instead of exchanging vexed and useless names for merged body, the Ministry should enforce effective role for meaningful players with roles defined and also for professionals. For example, Ministry can ask the merged body to run the day today affairs and conduct of technical matters to a professional, say, CEO. For example, Pay Viren Rasquinha dequately, and ask him to run the hockey show as CEO.

The first thing that the Minister should ensure is to get an undertaking from those who attend Saturday’s D’Day meeting that they won’t take matters to court; and it should apply to every level.

Right now Nationals is going on in Bhopal. This should be taken as a first step of merged body’s first work. Last year’s National was held by the IHF, this year by Hockey India. Let the original Rangasamy cup be given now to the Bhopal edition winners. This will keep the numbers correct and deserving too.