An off the cuff remark by the Indian Hockey Federation Advisor KPS Gill today in a press conference in Delhi, caught us to the fact that some big name in the Indian industry is among those interested in hockey.

During the hurriedly called press meet in the Russian Guest House in Delhi yesterday, KPS Gill dwelt most of the times on how bad the merger proposal of the Min of Youth Affairs and Sports is.

During the long press ‘brief’, he inbetween came on his own to let the sparse media to know the that in one of the meetings called by the said Ministry, Sunil Mittal was also present.

“I should not quote here, but in one of the meetings convened by the sports minister Ajay Maken, Sunil Mittal was also present along with me, Minister Ajay Maken, RK Shetty and others”, Gill said.

Billionaire Sunil Mittal owns India’s number one telecom giant, Airtel, and his business empire is spread over continents. He has of late acquired Africa’s telecom major Zain’s operations as well, and his empire is spreading.

His presence in a hockey meeting is a great development, as he can pump any amount for the welfare or business of hockey.

Though Gill refused to elaborate on the meeting, it may well be said that given a chance the billionaire business man either pitch in bonanza for hockey, or even agree to head the unified and beyond controversy hockey set up of India.

However, it is unfortunate the small minded people on both sides of the warrying factions come in way of such bigwig enter the scene.

Not long ago, a brother of Subrato Roy of Sahara, took interest in hockey, which was hailed entry of a businessman, though he has now rescued from any hockey affairs, and even resigned from the Presidentship of Bengal Hockey Association. That news fades against the talk of Sunil Mittal, who is a giant

In the past, it’s a businessman Naval Tata, who admirably administered Indian hockey for three Olympic gold as the first president of the Independent India’s IHF.

Indian hockey has let go many a godsend opportunities in the past, and let us hope this entry of Sunil Mittal is not one such.

If the likes of Sunil Mittals come into the fold of hockey, they can transform hockey into a different proposition.

Not just Indian hockey, the World Hockey itself.