Former players surprised with Hockey India-IHG merger

The way hockey is governed in the country is worth researching. Strange... jaw-dropping... even illogical conclusions have been arrived at in the national sport's history.

Former players surprised with Hockey India-IHG merger

The way hockey is governed in the country is worth researching. Strange... jaw-dropping... even illogical conclusions have been arrived at in the national sport's history. The disaffiliated Indian Hockey Federation and the newly-formed Hockey India have suddenly decided to bury the hatchet and work together towards the betterment of the sport and try and bring back hockey's lost glory.

"I don't understand Indian hockey any longer," was how former India skipper Pargat Singh reacted when MiD DAY contacted him yesterday.

IOA's U-turn
"First, the Indian Olympic Association disaffiliates the IHF after charges of corruption against K Jyothikumaran (then IHF Secretary General) came to the fore. The very same people then make some settlement of sorts and come back at the helm yet again. It's ridiculous... completely logic-defying," the legendary full back said.

However, former skipper Viren Rasquinha, who recently took charge as COO of the Olympic Gold Quest, said the move was a step in the right direction, provided things are handled professionally.

"Administrators who will be appointed in due course, even if they are non-hockey entities, should have to be through professionals. Hire 10 professionals if need be, but ensure things are done in a specialised manner," the former India midfielder said adding that the chalta hai attitude and tendency to deal with things on an ad-hoc basis must be thrown out of the window. "It is important to have a democratically elected body, which comes at the helm with a proper mandate," Rasquinha said.

The merger of the IHF and Hockey India will bring the state associations both men's and women's into HI's fold.

A six-member sub-committee has been set up to work out the modalities of the merger of state level units within 45 days.

Positive step
"Sure, it's a positive step if people are working towards resolving internal disputes,"u00a0 former India custodian Mir Ranjan Negi said before adding cautiously: "But a lot more needs to be done to revive hockey. We need a dynamic person at the helm, who will ensure a smooth flow of funds in the organisation's kitty and use these funds encouragingly. Also, players must get due recognition for their efforts. I'm not too sure how this understanding will unfold in the days to come."