Nimbus, IHF seek support of HI
Controversies have hit the Indian Hockey League, which is going to be organised by the IHF next year in a bid to boost up the sport in the country. The IHF, in a joint venture with Nimbus Communication, planned to launch a franchise-based hockey league namely
of World Series Hockey (WSH) in the country.
Hockey India, the currently governing body of the sport has menaced the national players to keep distance from the league and threatened that those who would participate in the event will be no more in the national team.
Though the IHF has not been a recognised body of the International Hockey Federation, but is accredited by the government of India. A battle is already in progress in the court between the duo authorities for taking the control of the sport.
Newly-elected Chairman of the IHF, RK Shetty while talking to the media, said that they did not want to combat against anyone but to develop the sport in the country and up the level of the players as per international standards. He said, “We are not fighting
with HI (Hockey India). All we are saying that this is beneficial for the game and the players. It will also help the hockey infrastructure in the country.”
Meanwhile, Chairman Nimbus Communication, Harish Thawani said that the WSH would not be based on cattle-auction as it happened in past, adding that the only purpose of this league is to promote the sport across the globe and financially assist the hockey
players.
The Nimbus Chairman said, “We are not here to talk about the politics of hockey and all we are interested in is the well-being of the players and the sport at large.”
He maintained that nearly ten teams belonging to different cities would take part in the league. Top hockey players from within the country and abroad will have opportunities to earn up to five million rupees within one year.
Nimbus Communication has inked a deal with the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) for next fifteen years to jointly organise the WSH in the country. All the expenses, including the event cost and IHF fee will be provided by Nimbus. Nimbus will also arrange
funds worth of 300 million rupees for development of the game.
The inaugural version of the WSH will be held from November 2011 to February 2012, where more than 250 players around the world will compete in 100 games.
Regardless of the severe criticism, it is good symbol for revival of the sport not only in the country but across the globe as well.
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