Uncertain future of Hockey India
Hockey India – the national governing body of India is passing through a hard time in their history, as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is unwilling to continue its business with it. The situation evolved after Hockey India reached into an agreement
with the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to continue the sport’s affairs mutually in the country. It is vital to mention here that all the stage was organised by the Sports Ministry of India particularly Ajay Maken – the sports minister.
Hockey India (HI) was formulated back in 2008 under the flag of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and despite breaching every rule and procedures it could not prove itself as the sole governing unit of the country. The IOA even did not permit HI to merge
with the Indian Hockey Federation.
The recent stalemate is not available, as the hockey community is bewildered in the country. The world’s governing body is mulling to take back all the major events from India including the Champions Trophy and Olympic Qualifiers for the 2012 London Games.
Such harsh decisions will put the world’s hockey unit in some difficult situation. It will face problems to search a new organiser for the Champions Trophy but situation is worse for India. Malaysia is ready to host the qualifiers and mulling to submit an
offer (if already not submitted). In case, the Malaysians succeeded in their bid, it will be a great shock for India particularly their reputation for hosting the sport events.
Through a single punch, Hockey India built up their confidence with the FIH and IOA. It not only got approval in very short span of time but also received the hosting rights of World Cup and Commonwealth Games. However, it is difficult to explain the ways
how the Indian Federation can get back its confidence with IOA and world’s governing body. HI requires these things for their survival.
Apart from showing annoyance and divergence, the World’s hockey governing body has not announced any step for the future. It is clearly understandable that the unification between IHF and HI did not separate FIH from the associated body.
It seemed that the World’s body was not prepared to face a situation in which two units make a merger to continue the hockey affairs without taking it into confidence. It could ruin the dialogue between the two federations but will not entertain the World
body much.
On the other hand, the Indian Olympic Association is incapable of suggesting an appropriate solution apart from the merger. Will another ad-hoc unit be required for running the sports affairs in the country? Will the Sports Ministry of India and International
Hockey Federation work in this regard?
Whatsoever the matter is passing through, it will move back into the first phase. The whiter of the shadows is looking real, as the confusing situation is irritating the commoners.
All the stakeholders have wasted much time in unnecessary and worthless arguing, as they do not have the courage to understand and cooperate with each other. It seems that the time to implement over the give and take policy has been over, as visible efforts
were put to take the others down but to resolve the issue.
Unfortunately, many officials in the two organisations had worked together under the banner of same body that reined the Men’s sport. The situation is clear, as the World’s body is thinking to impose its influence. For India, it is need of the hour to form
a proper strategy to combat the situation. But the question is that who will start the work?
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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