Great Indian hockey patch-up?

Mihir Vasavda

Mumbai: As the JB Roy-led faction holds its high profile meeting on Sunday at Aamby Valley, a great patch-up seems to be on cards in New Delhi. Speculation is rife that former Indian Hockey Federation president KPS Gill is looking for a possible rapprochement with the Hockey India officials.

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Reports of a possible patch-up are doing rounds over the last few days after Gill refused to align with Roy. Post their break-up, Gill had softened his stand towards Hockey India, insisting that the issue can be sorted out amicably. “We were not happy with the way Hockey India was formed but things can be sorted out. At the end of the day, both the bodies wish good for Indian hockey,” Gill told DNA.

Some senior officials of Hockey India, including spokesperson Mohammad Aslam Khan, will attend the ‘executive committee’ meeting of the Gill’s Indian Hockey Federation (IHF). “I would not like to comment on that (patch-up). We have invited Hockey India officials including Mr Aslam Khan. Let us meet, have proper discussions over a few issues and then see what happens,” Gill said. The IHF members will discuss the legality of Hockey India and review India’s performance over the last 15 months.

Khan too said Hockey India would comment over the issue only after Sunday’s meeting but did not rule out the possibility of Gill joining Hockey India. Sources within the IHF and Hockey India say this might be the only option for Gill to remain in hockey administration.

It remains to be seen how many state associations attend IHF’s meeting on Sunday as the rival faction claims to have the support of around 50 state associations (men and women). Gill is hoping around 25 states will turn up for his meeting. With two factions meeting on Sunday, the turf war in Indian hockey is about to intensify.