Soap opera crying out for an early end

Sidney Kiran
The HI-IHF standoff repeatedly put on-field activities to shade.

Another year is about to set, and another year is about to rise, but hockey in the country remains in the grip of the same-old malady, showing little signs of cure.

Just like the television soaps that never seem to end, the year was once again dominated by the ugly fight between Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation, who after calling a temporary truce went back to trading blows that has left the national sport in heavy need of adrenaline.

The turn of the year saw IHF electing its office-bearers, setting the stage for another round of bickering with rival HI, who simply pounced on it like a hungry boxer. Insults kept flying almost every other day, cases were filed left, right and centre as both bodies went all out with the sole aim of seeking bragging rights to run the sport.

As things appeared to be going out of control, a completely perturbed Sports Ministry jumped into the fray, giving both the bodies a deadline to sign peace or face the consequences. Heeding to the warning and after endless discussions — brokered by the Ministry itself — both agreed to shake hands, signalling hope that a change was round the corner.

A new coach — Michael Nobbs — was roped in for a period of five years and a proper roadmap was laid out for next year’s Olympic Qualifiers as things slowly started to take the turn for the better. The Indians went on to win the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy — Nobbs’ maiden assignment — before all hell broke loose again, with the international hockey federation (FIH) stepping in.

Dismissing HI’s working agreement with the IHF as totally unacceptable and against the International Olympic Committee charter, the world body made India pay the price for administrative apathy, snatching away the Champions Trophy hosting rights. FIH also threatened to remove the Olympic Qualifiers from New Delhi before restoring it and giving India another chance to find one single body and end the long-standing tussle.

In what has become customary, HI and IHF, instead of choosing to sort the issue out, went back to trading blows as hopes of a solution to the mess receded. Targeting IHF’s cash-rich World Series Hockey, HI kept shooting off missiles after verbal missiles, accusing that the WSH was against India’s interests.

Not the ones to back away, IHF retaliated, blaming HI and FIH for the scenario. Expectedly, HI warned the national players from participating in the WSH, asking them to report to the national camp for Olympic Qualifiers. With many Indian players toeing HI’s line and opting to attend the camp, WSH lacked the star power and was eventually postponed to next summer.

In the intermittent period, India did enjoy some success on the field, but lacked consistency. They finished a lowly and disappointing sixth in the seven-team Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in May. While they did reap gold in the Asian Champions Trophy, they were exposed ruthlessly by the mighty Australians in the tour of Down Under. India did show some resolve and character by bouncing back in the Champions Challenge tournament where they pumped in a scintillating 29 goals. But the perennial defensive woes — especially in the last 10 minutes — cost them a spot in next year’s Champions Trophy as they slumped to Belgium from a position of great strength in the final.

That apart, the Indian team appears to be slowly finding the right gear as it steps into a crucial year with many junior players making a fine impression along with a handful of seniors. Four years ago, the game hit rock bottom when, for the first time, it lost out on a place in the Olympics. The bitter memories of Chile could, however, could be erased if the current bunch can seal the ticket to London Games in February.

While there is some confidence on that front, a turnaround on the administrative front looks a long way away.