Hockey India forms panel to look into gradation system of players

NEW DELHI: With the World Cup just round the corner, Hockey India on Monday formed a five-member committee to look into the gradation system which was one of the key demands of the players during their rebellion last month.

Former India player and now Hockey India director (planning) Jagbir Singh has been named convener of the committee which will have ex-captain Ajit Pal Singh, Zafar Iqbal, MP Ganesh and Dhanraj Pillay as members, an HI statement said.

The statement said the captains and national coaches of both the men’s and women’s teams would also be the members of the committee, while the president and secretary general of HI will be special invitees in the panel.

The panel will look into the gradation system of not only the senior and junior men’s national team members but also their female counterparts.

Jagbir said the committee would take the views of former as well as current players while preparing the blueprint of the gradation system.

He, however, said it may not be possible to put the system in place before the February 28-March 13 World Cup as desired by the players.

“I don’t have a magic stick in my hand. But we will start working on the modalities before the World Cup. We know the players demand, we know what the players should be given and what they deserve,” Jagbir said.

“We will discuss the matter with all parties including the players and see that ultimately it is a win-win proposition for all. But the players need to have patience,” he said.

The national players had last month stalled the World Cup preparatory camp at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune for five days, demanding the clearance of their outstanding dues and a graded system of contracts.