Delhi Hockey: Chair comes fist, hockey later!
In coming days if Hockey India is thinking on the lines of merging state units and subsequently holding elections, union of men and women unit, at least in Delhi, it seems, might give them sleepless nights.
One big story here is, the sources in the Delhi Olympic Association (DOA) surprise us with a news that the DDHA (Delhi District Hockey Association) is not a recognized body of them. They haven’t received subscription fee from this organization for almost a decade
If this is to be believed and accepted, the DDHA, which has been collecting fee for orgnizers staging tournaments in Delhi should not be doing it so.
Further querries point to the fact that when New Delhi Capital Region (NCR) was formed a decade ago, the age-old Delhi Hockey Association was reformed and renamed as Delhi District Hockey Association which is yet to get official affiliation from the DOA.
Quite funny!
It also gives Hockey India a chance to keep the DDHA at arms distance from election in case that vote would not favour them!!
Now because the State Olympics Association had been unexpectedly given much sway in terms of effecting single unit for hockey, according to some, Delhi District HA is hardly an issue, as it is not affiliated to them.
It is interesting the DDHA is at present held by the KPS Gill loyalists, while Delhi Women Hockey Association is held by Amrit Bose, former secetary of IWHF. Though the dysfunctional DDHA is intact, the DWHA is a divided house, with its Secretary Sudarshan Pathak seemed to have shifted to Stokes’ side, and with that have got to be Manager of the Jr. Girls World Cup.
It has become a journalistic nightmare in Delhi to find out what happens in DDHA and DWHA. Still we tried to find out some.
To win favour and grab the chair, lobbying has already began. In fact, one story is doing rounds in the Delhi hockey circle that Kukoo Walia has become secretary, and Amrit Bose president of the Delhi Hockey Association.
While Bose couldn’t be reached for her comments, Walia vehemently denied that he is associated with any faction or has become an office-bearer of the state unit. “I am not involved with any association in Delhi,” was his reply when contacted over the phone.
Surprisingly, office-bearer of both Delhi men and women hockey associations are not speaking their mind out on the issue but have decided to keep cards close to chest, saying discussion is on, saying, clear picture will emerge only after a week.
But at the same time were reluctant to talk about the Amrit Bose new formed unit.
Sudershan Pathak, secretary Delhi Women Hockey Association, it is learnt, doesn’t share same platform with association president Amrit Bose. Once close associate, now, poles apart, it is learnt.
Pathak, however, refused to comment on the development of the union of the two state hockey units and holding of elections. “Discussion is on with the other unit (men’s state association),” that was all she had to say when asked about the merging of the two units.
Similar reply was given by Charanjit, secretary Delhi Men Hockey Association. When contacted Charanjt didn‘t divulge in the details of development, saying we are having discussion with the other unit (women hockey). “A clear picture will emerge after three-four days,” was all he said.
At this moment, office-bearer of state unit might not be candid in their views, but it is crystal clear that petty politics will further spoil hockey at the grassroots.
It is really ironical while the whole hockey politics in India is directed from Delhi, what happens in Delhi Hockey Association still remains mystery.