Air India confused over IHF’s silence
“Air India is very much in favour of the World Series Hockey. However, we have problems with the approach of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF),” . This is what a top Air India official told stick2hockey.com recently.
Air India is at pains to understand the not-so-professional ‘No Approach’of the IHF.
Hockey India has written to Air India management expressing their reservations on the proposed WSH and advised them not to associate with it. However, the IHF maintains a studied silence till now.
The official states that Air India hasn’t received any written communication from the IHF or Nimbus in this regard. However, the organization is facing a big irritant in the form of ‘back door’ phone calls that Air India players keep receiving from a few former Olympians on the behalf of IHF.
“Why can’t someone from the IHF approach us rather than making backdoor contacts”, he asks.
“If proper procedure is followed, we will be the first one to send our players for the WSH. For us playing hockey is top priority, politics has no part to play in our set up”, he makes it clear the likely approach of Air India with respect to the WSH.
It is worthwhile to mention here that many Air India players have signed the WSH contracts on their own, their participation is vital for the success of the WSH proposal. However, these players are expected to get No Objection Certificate from the employers so as not to jeopardize their career.
The official however feels it is better for the game the dispute between HI and IHF, which is hammering the game, and confusing silent contributors such as his organization, is solved early.
As of now Air India is toeing HI in almost all other hockey matters. They are expected to do so, more so in the context of the Union Sports Ministry’s displeasure on the IHF elections.
Against this reality, the top officials’ open support for WSH, strikes.
However, the official maintains that their players are not affected by these confusing situation.
“They play in whatever opportunity presented to them. They will continue to so in future also”.