‘Qualifying for Olympics in hockey our first aim’

Wajiha Shah

Brushing aside “speculations” of having a “soft corner” for Hockey India (HI), Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Ajay Maken who was in Lucknow on Saturday made it clear that his first aim was to see Indian hockey team qualify for the 2012 Olympics. Maken inspected the facilities at SAI Sub-Centre, here.
“We want India to qualify for the Olympics. International Hockey Federation (FIH) only recognises Hockey India. There is already a dispute (existing between the HI and Indian Hockey Federation) and we did not want to lose the advantage of Olympic qualifying matches being organised in India so HI was allowed to host those matches. Our first aim is to see India qualify for the Olympics,” he explained in reply to a question regarding the same.

He said that going for negotiations between the IHF and Hockey India was like “catching the bull by its horns.” “The proposed merger also will be held on the principle of equal power sharing. There is a proposal for making KPS Gill as life-time patron as his age is more than our guidelines.”Responding to a question Maken said that he felt sad at the declining standard of Indian hockey and wanted India to shine in the game once again.

He said that the national sports development bill is only being opposed by those having vested interests. “Our aim is to improve the sports system in the country. The government guidelines pertaining to age and tenure of the office-bearers of the sports associations are in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the bill aims at bringing transperancy in the working of the sports federations. He said that while many nations had their own sports related laws, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was having objections to such a law in India which is for the betterment of sports.”He expressed confidence that the sports bill will be passed and said that as per the sports development bill, all sports will be treated equally.

“There are some corporate houses which encourage sports greatly and honour meritorious players. We have had talks with corporate houses that they should encourage those aspiring athletes also who have the talent but have yet to make a mark and they have said that first some professionalism should be brought in the functioning of the sports federations only then such steps by them would benefit the players,” Maken said explaining the need of the sports bill.