Pillay urges HI, IHF to call truce for country’s sake

KOLKATA: Former India captain Dhanraj Pillay on Saturday said the warring Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) should sort out their issues as it is hampering the country’s preparation for the 2012 Olympics.

India need to get their act together if they want to give a shot at the next Olympics at London, said Pillay who is in the city with his team Air India, the defending champions in the Beighton Cup.

“If India’s performance in Australia was any indication, then it’s difficult to qualify for the Olympics,” said the 43-year-old who represented India in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

One of the most popular faces of Indian hockey, Pillay said, “Hockey India and IHF officials must sit with the sports minister (Ajay Maken) and sort out their problems if we really want to do well in the Olympics.”

“We have Olympic qualifiers in February next year. Before that we have a few international tournaments. We must do well in the build-up and for that we need an amicable atmosphere,” Pillay said.

He said there was a need for India-Pakistan series in the wake of the recent scuffle during a tri-nation tournament in Australia.

Lamenting the incident, Pillay said: “It’s really unfortunate. It never happened before. We never saw these type of behaviour among the players. Instead of fighting, if we play a series together, both teams can be benefited.”

Pillay is all set to mesmerise the hockey lovers once again during the inaugural World Series Hockey (WSH), scheduled to begin from December 17.

Pillay said he is most likely to represent Mumbai or Pune in the IPL-like tournament.