WSH postponed till Feb 29

The World Series Hockey (WSH) league has been postponed till the completion of the Olympic qualifiers, to be held in Delhi in the second week of February. The Indian Hockey Federation-Nimbus combined realised that the WSH would not be a success without the participation of the leading Indian players, hence the change in dates.

Some of the top Indian players who had been contracted by the WSH had pulled out, saying that their first preference would be to play for the country in the qualifiers. The WSH, which was slated to be held from December 17 to January 22 across nine venues in the country, will now be held from February 29 to April 1. The Indian players did not want to forego the WSH altogether, as the league would have given them handsome pay packets, which they would not have otherwise got from anywhere.

WSH and IHF announced here today that “the decision to adjust the dates of hockey’s biggest annual event was taken after a request made by the Indian Hockey Federation to the organisers of the event. “The IHF has been in discussion with the players, participating coaches and match officials, all of whom have reiterated their commitment to play in the World Series Hockey,” they added.

Hockey India, which has been recognised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) as the sole body for running the game in the country, had objected to the clashing of the WSH with the National camp for the qualifiers from December 11.

WSH had also booked the National Stadium to host the Delhi leg of the league matches, as well as the opening ceremony, but HI was against this “clash of events”, though Sports Minister Ajay Maken had stated that he had no objection to the WSH being staged at the Sports Authority of India-controlled stadium, so long as WSH was willing to pay stadium rents on commercial rates, to which the league had agreed.

But the IHF has not taken kindly to the stand adopted by HI. “We are extremely saddened by the intimidation tactics employed by Hockey India to try and deprive Indian hockey players of an opportunity to earn a living from the sport of hockey,” said IHF president R.K. Shetty. He said the original WSH schedule was chalked out on the basis that the National camp for the qualifiers was to start on January 24.

“This date was communicated by the HI officials in writing to the players, as far back as March this year. Unfortunately, HI chose to reschedule the camp to the 11th of December, with the obvious intention of disturbing the players and their preparations for WSH. This re-scheduling was done after the announcement of WSH dates,” alleged Shetty.

He continued that this was done “with the express intent of protecting our National players from further harassment from HI, IHF has requested WSH to take the high ground and adjust the dates…. The event will now commence in February after the completion of India’s Olympic qualifiers on February 26,” Shetty added.

Two leading players, Arjun Halappa and Tushar Khandker, welcomed the rescheduling of the dates. “World Series Hockey is the best thing to have happened to Indian hockey. I am committed to participate in the inaugural event and extremely grateful to the organisers for shifting the date after the Olympic qualifiers,” stated Halappa. Khandker said the postponement of WSH was “fantastic news for the players.

“We were always committed to participate in WSH and the change in date ensures that there is no clash with our National duty. It is going to be a very good opportunity for the Indian players to shine on a global platform,” he added.