Conflicts within HI ruined Indian hockey: Sher Khan
JALANDHAR: Olympian and former chairman of the ad-hoc selection committee Aslam Sher Khan on Sunday said differences within Hockey India has destroyed the national game and was also a reason behind the team’s unimpressive performance during the World Cup.
He also asked the Sports Ministry to intervene and enact a law to fix the accountability of HI office-bearers.
“Prevailing conflicts in Hockey India has virtually ruined the game and was one of the main reason for the team’s debacle in the World Cup,” Sher Khan said.
“The Sports Ministry should ensure that experts of the game must have a significant say in the selection of players and other policy decisions regarding the game,” he said.
“Earlier, it was said that there was not much money with the Hockey India and only politicians and bureaucrats could fetch sponsors for the game. But now the situation has changed and sponsors have also shown tremendous support to the game,” he added.
Fearing that the forthcoming Hockey India elections would not be “free and fair”, Sher Khan demanded adequate representation of former players in the respective state associations.