India’s hockey camp postponed indefinitely

With less than a year to go for the Olympic qualifiers, the Indian hockey set-up looks to be in a state of disarray. With no coach for the men’s and women’s teams, the national camp, that was to start on Thursday, has been indefinitely postponed. It will begin only after the coaches are appointed.

It is learnt that the sports ministry will be mediating talks between Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) on Thursday, to get the two warring bodies on the same page before the Supreme Court hearing takes place on Friday.

The Indian team has been without a coach since Jose Brasa was sacked in November, following India’s bronze-medal finish at the Asian Games. Sources said HI and IHF have submitted ‘their respective’ list of coaches to the ministry. That will, in turn, be given to the SAI, who will be taking the final decision. However, sources have said that HI will not be appointing a foreign coach for now as it will delay things further.

HI has recommended Harendra Singh’s name for the top job, with Jugraj Singh and Mohammad Riaz as his deputies. CR Kumar is their choice for the women’s team, with Sanggai Chanu and Sumrai Tete as his assistants. IHF has proposed the names of V Baskaran, Jude Felix and Gundeep Singh for the men’s job.

Sources said it does not have any objection to Kumar’s appointment.