In what can be described as first move, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has made its first move in the increasingly complex issue of Hockey India.

In a letter dated 10th August, Ministry has asked Indian Olympic Association President a clear response on the representations made by JB Roy and Amrit Bose.

JB Roy and Amrit Bose made a presentation to both the Ministry and Prime Minister asking their intervention in the forming a democratic hockey body.

The duo are upset the Hockey India was formed at the cost of the organizatins that they have been part of — Indian Hockey Federation and Indian Women Hockey Federation – and as such opposed any direct or indirect move by the IOA to disturb the existing electoral college.

Though without giving any deadline for the IOA, the letter assumes signifcance in the light of the fact that it is for the first time the Minsitry is taking a concret step, and it will not remain a silent spectators as it was the case when Mani Shankar Aiyar was at the helm of affairs.

The step by the Ministry also assumes signifcance due to another development, that is, the Delhi High Court Judgement in the case filed by NK Batra, former vice-president of the Indian Hockey Federation.

As per the judgement, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is entitled to form guidelines for the Federations which otherwise claimed the bogey of autonomy.

It is a developing situation now, let us wait and see how the IOA responds to the latest missive by the Ministry.