Some notes on what’s happening currently in hockey front
All India Police Games is the major hockey event of this month.
National Games in Ranchi is a great success in terms of crowd turn out, hockey was the most keenly watched event with every day full stands.
Both men and women Jharkand team members will share prize money of Rs. 5 lac for winning Silver.
It is matter of pride for hockey that, in order to control the ever-increasing crowd for the hockey matches, a giant screen was put in nearby football stadium where the semis and medal matches were shown Live. A big chunk of crowd was diverted to this stadium. This is really a rare thing where the world’s most famous game (football) played second fiddle to hockey.
Hockey India failed to host the National Championship before the National Games, however its selectors were there in Ranchi. Hopefully the probables list will soon be released.
Sports Authority of India convened a meeting three weeks ago with Hockey India Officials, its Hockey Observers etc. It was chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Sports. Its agenda was to select National coaches for the men and women’s team. It is gathered a section objected to select short term coach and the meeting ended without any further progress.
Hockey India has completed listening to the presentation of aspirant Indian coaches in two spells. In the first spell, almost who is who of former coaches presented their ‘vision’. In the second only those from Punjab did the same, a Punjab Special indeed.
It is gathered that former players Mukesh Kumar, Md. Riaz, Baljit Singh Saini are among the supporting coaches for senior or junior teams. Whereas, CR Kumar seemed to have clinched it for the women’s side, with Pritamrani as his deputy. Sandeep Somesh is likely to be man in charge of Junior women team. Of course, this is the Hockey India list, though Sports Ministry will have bigger say in selection this time around.
Senior former players including V. Baskaran have written a letter to new sports minister Ajay Maken accusing inter alia FIH of taking sides in the national hockey affairs, they obviously support IHF faction. Their plea did not get much media focus, may be due to ongoing Cricket World Cup.
The inquiry into the Ranjitha sexual harassment accusation against coach MK Kaushik is over. The Committee has submitted its report, which is believed to be sent to Hockey India before the National Games. The same media that made accusation a national issue takes no interest nowadays, which is a sign it has nothing to sensationalize now.
Nehru Hockey Society has successfully conducted its last event of the year — Champion Colleges Cup — at Jalandhar. A local college won the top honours.