Ad-hoc committee for hockey announces tight calendar

Pune, Oct 14 (PTI) The Indian Olympic Association (IOA)-appointed ad-hoc body for hockey in India is all set to revamp the national game in a big way with the support of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and has announced a packed calendar for both junior and senior sides.

Following a meeting with the FIH president Els Breda Vriesman during the ongoing Commonwealth Youth Games here today, the IOA president and ad-hoc committee Chairman, Suresh Kalmadi announced a busy schedule for Indian juniors and seniors, which begins with the Pakistan tour.

The ad-hoc body committee, in consultation with the FIH, is also looking at a person at a higher level to look into the developmental aspect of the game in the country.

“He will have the capacity of not necessarily a chief coach but a developmental manager at top level to put a structure in place,” Kalmadi said, adding Indian hockey is back in priority sport after the removal of KPS Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation.

“The 2010 World Cup was going away from us… But we have retained it and is back with us. After the success in Junior Asia Cup in Hyderabad, Indian hockey is already in a revival mode. There’s a packed calendar ahead,” Kalmadi told reporters here today.

Vriesman said she was surprised to see countries like Pakistan and India not doing well in the international circuit. PTI