KPS Gill for age, tenure cap for officials

The reinstated Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), under KPS Gill, regrouped for the first time at its special general body meeting on Sunday. While the well-attended meet — 51 members from all the 29 state units were present — proved that Gill had things in his control but still the 75-year-old categorically stated that he was ready to vacate the seat for a younger successor.

While supporting the recent Sports Ministry move to put a cap on age and tenure of office bearers running national federations, Gill distanced himself for the IHF elections that are to take place later this year. “I completely agree with the ministry guidelines that there should be an age limit to officials running sports in the country. I am willing to sit with Hockey India people and anyone else concerned with hockey in the country to find a solution to all the ongoing issues,” he added.

The IHF also decided to form a committee to work with the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation (IWHF) and solve the merger issue. “The men’s and women’s units will be merged at the national level. However, the state units are likely to function as it is, since there is no point in twisting a perfectly workable existing system,” one of the state unit president present at the meeting said.

The meeting was also attended by Shankar Lal, under-secretary in the sports ministry, as the government observer.

Interestingly, Hockey India have also called for a meeting of their respective “affiliated units” on June 14. It remains to be seen if HI is able to match IHF in terms of support from state units.