Hockey India in rough weather

S. Thyagarajan

Chennai: Even as confabulations continue as part of a damage control exercise by the officials involved in Hockey India over the fallout of the Indian Olympic Association move to establish a unified federal mechanism, observers are watching the developments from the opposing groups slated to meet in New Delhi on June 13 and 14.

The exercise to project a joint front by the men and women units that IOA chose to disband and disaffiliate while constituting Hockey India is reported to be gaining strength.

Around 60 State units are expected to be present for the meeting.

Positive force

Perhaps, in a negative way, the IOA has contributed immensely to consolidating the hockey community into a one positive force asserting its right to be heard.

The spontaneity of the reaction against the manner in which IOA and its officials went about giving effect to the FIH missive for fashioning a unified apparatus before October for retaining the right to host the next World Cup has surprised many.

Interestingly, the coming together of K.P.S. Gill, who is fighting the legality of the suspension imposed by IOA on the Indian Hockey Federation that he was heading, and J.B. Roy, President, Bengal Hockey Association, demanding the conduct of free and democratic elections to the federation, on the same platform to convey to the IOA the sentiments of the hockey community is welcomed by one and all.

Women to join

The decision of the women’s federation, which now stands divided between the President and Secretary, to join the men’s group in the endeavour to form a unified front has come as a shot in the arm.

The proposed joint appearance at a media briefing on Monday, and the move to issue a joint statement later had to be deferred in the wake of quick paced developments in Delhi.

There were efforts to negotiate a new formula giving a premier role to K.P.S. Gill.

It is understood he was persuaded to withdraw the case against IOA. Still hurt by the humiliation heaped on him in the IOA council when the decision to suspend the IHF was taken, Gill is understandably unwilling to relent. And, more importantly, he has confirmed the decision to share the stage with J.B. Roy to work out the means and methodology to challenge the IOA and its decision on Hockey India.

There is also a move to frame an appeal to other national federations, who are part of the Indian Olympic Association, highlighting the dangers of a similar type of a takeover should any of them express dissent to the IOA its policies and priorities.

Will not the takeover of hockey in the manner it was by IOA pose a threat to other federations also?

Meanwhile, the FIH is taking note of the developments and President, Leandro Negre along with his senior functionaries, is constantly monitoring reports from Delhi.