Indian Hockey Federation chief KPS Gill staged a media coup on Tuesday.

A select band of Olympians, most of whom have made known their views in the print soon after the Chile chiller, were invited for a consultation. The message sent out was how much the IHF is interactive with those who matters in the matter of hockey – Olympians. Those who present on that day at the residence of Gill include Gurbux Singh, BP Govinda and Harmik Singh — who are anyway form part of the Selection Committee — Balbir Singh Sr., who comes to Chandigarh around this part of the year from Canada where he otherwise resides, MP Ganesh, till recently the Executive Director of Sports Authority of India, his ally Charles Cornelius, Ajit Pal Singh, till recently Government Nominee for the IHF Selection Committee, his 1978 World Cup colleague Baldev Singh and Zafar Iqbal, The whole set of Santigao team Chief Coach Joaquim Carvalho, his two deputies Ramesh Parameswaran and MP Singh, Manager RK Shetty were also present.

Obviously the IHF chief wanted to discuss two things; First, the reasons for the Santiago fiasco and secondly the steps to be taken in the future. We are not sure was there any third aspect to the agenda.

Regarding first point, even before the august assembly came to his residence and provided a perfect photo opportunity, Gill has already spoken his mind in a television channel of his choice. He has clearly told the Chile loss was a conspiracy, coach Joaquim is doing an excellent job, Charlesworth is thrust on the IHF, and that he won’t resign, he needs three more years to set the things right.

These almost gave an indication of his mind, analysis, and future step. It all boils down to his firm view that Chile chiller is not a big disaster as the world would have him believe, Carvalhi is not that bad as everyone makes out and that he and his coach will stick on.

Under the emerging scenario, what is left to explore, and need to be discussed? If the IHF chief had not spoken and not opened his mind, one can at least believe he has open mind and wants input.

Except for Zafar Iqbal and MP Ganesh, others who were present, are already within the IHF, meaning they are involved in its activities in the recent past in one way or other. Therefore, it was with their input, the Chile preparation was carried out. Therefore, nothing much would have been gained from them. With regard to MP Ganesh and Zafar Iqbal, two prominent faces in the gathering insofar their near absence in the IHF’s scheme of things, they might have contributed. However, their reluctance to talk to media could not be comprehended.

Ajit Pal’s colleague Baldev Singh has been lobbing with the IHF since last Premier Hockey League for a role in the IHF, and was orally asked to spot talent during the PHL. He certainly has a personal agenda. If he has anyhthing for the country, he has to say so in front of the public also.

Harmik Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Gurbux and BP Govinda are officially selection committee members, and as such have a moral responsibility against what happened in Chile. That the coach did not heed to their voice, however true, cannot do any justice to their name and role. Because the team was cleared with their signature on the selected list. It is well evident these foursome wanted Carvalho to go. At the same time, they also need to look at themselves. Had they really thought so, they could have resigned and set the precedent!

With regard to Balbir Singh Sr., we can only say he still breathes hockey and is abreast with the latest developments. A man of stature – three Olympic gold – need better treatment. KPS Gill or his Secretary K. Jothikumaran, if they have really have hockey at heart, should have gone his place and got his input and not the other way around. But any case it is clear what input he would have given is a matter of conjuncture, as he has last played hockey in the 60s.

Things being as such, why all were called and a formality staged. Perhaps there is a reason. That day the Delhi press was invited for a press conference around 3 pm, but it did not take place even after the wait of five hours.

Meanwhile two objectives seemed to have been achieved. One, to show the Olympians how he controls the media and how much he is sought after by them . Secondly, to tell the media how many Olympians he commands.

It was rather interesting to observe that none of those Olympians, who otherwise keep the press in good humour, came forward to say about what they had said in the interaction. Only Gurbux Singh did speak to the media for a while.

However, the whole next day the television channels kept mentioning IHF’s continued interaction with the Olympians, with bytes of KPS Gill in a joke cracking mood.

In the next day IHF officer bearers meeting, Gill openly claimed except two Olympians all others are with him. He probably meant Ashok Kumar and Pargat Singh.

Here ends the matter