Indian Hockey Federation President Kanwar Pal Singh Gill has invited a select band of former Olympic hockey players for a discussion on Tuesday, the 17th April. The agenda for the meeting is not disclosed. Those invited include Vasudevan Baskaran, till recently the national chief coach and Ajit Pal Singh, currently Government’s nominee for the Selection Committee of IHF.
Though the objective behind the meeting is not known, it appears those Olympians who have time to time raising their voice against the present state of Indian hockey are not invited for the meeting.
Recently, Bob Davidzon submitted a report entitled ‘Promoting Indian Hockey’ wherein three aspects related to players are mentioned. They are
1. Lack of identification and admiration for what should be the international heroes of youth
2. Creating and Promoting Heroes
3. Compulsory Youth Clinics by heroes at local level
It is hoped the above items are liked to be discussed to give a concrete shape to them.
Though it is unfair to credit all the recent activities of IHF to Bob’s report, it is expected the IHF rope in as many former players as possible, not only for discussion, but also to involve them in its various activities. This is one area of energy that had not been tapped properly yet.
Having said this, I admit calling only the so-called loyalists for discussion create an impression that others are intentionally ignored. It should be avoided in the overall interest of hockey.
However, it is hoped the occasion is not used for political purposes, like, to show the world ‘we-have-more-Olympians-on-our-side-than-you’ like things.