World Series Hockey – A sign of hope
The controversy over the future of World Series Hockey (WSH) is foreseeable; however the shocking element is the baffling statements from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) about the lucrative event.
The international governing body has clarified their stance over the rebel league saying that it was not an accredited event; however, those who had inked the agreements with it ahead of March 31, 2011 could go on with the tournament.
However, the question is that why the international hockey governing body is reluctant to issue an NOC for World Series Hockey. A simple point comes to mind is that the FIH may want to avoid any legal battle in front of the players’ trade issues.
According to some media reports the hockey league, which is joint venture of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Nimbus Communication, is mulling to start a legal confrontation somewhere in London and Lausanne against the world body. The world unit is facing
many problems in the head of issues being created by India – one of the big financers of the sport.
The joint venture of Nimbus Communication and the IHF is engaging a total of 176 players of which 40 belonged from India. These players hailed from nine different counties which will contest the annual event worth millions of dollars. Can the international
governing unit allow organising an event on such a scale without its command?
If we try to think over the issue putting us at the place of FIH, the annual league is a multi-million dollar project comprised of handsome bounces and prize, therefore it is difficult to leave it completely to the private sector. Some of the players may
not accept the offer but remaining will wish to be part of the lucrative event. What difficulties the WSH will have to face to rope in the players like Spain’s Rodrigo Garcia, Australian Brent Livermore, Pakistani Rehan Butt and Argentinean Lucas Vila. The
world governing body has a choice, if more players joined the money-spinning event after announcing retirements from international hockey.
The entire hockey society should pay gratitude to Nimbus Communication particularly COO Yannik Colaco and Executive Chairman namely Harish Thawani for launching an enormous hockey tournament. Though, the success of the league will reckon on loads of points
including players’ selection, franchises, technical staff and lastly the financial prizes, no one could raise the question over the efforts of Nimbus Sports.
The triumph entirely will be based upon expertise in all sections for which the skilled and trained technical staff will be needed for the event. In order to make the technical department strong, the WSH did not feel shy to seek assistance from the world’s
governing body. In case the FIH refuse to accommodate the league, seasoned professionals will be required in this regard. As per some media reports, some 417 officials including Indian officials showed their consent to join hands with the profitable event.
Though the attitude of Hockey India is quite shocking, but they should assist the WSH in the best interests of hockey. It should renounce taking stern action against players who attended the launching ceremony. The stern action could further jeopardise the
efforts of the Sports Ministry to merge the two warring factions into one unit. Hockey India in a bid to strengthen the sports in the region should assist the league. This event should continue on sidelines, if Hockey India wanted to put the country on revival
of the sport.
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