Media365
NEW DELHI: The Sports Ministry is positive of resolving the ongoing mess among warring factions in Hockey India. A source said they will, however, wait for an amicable resolution internally before seeing the need to step in.“Let them resolve it amicably, mutually. It is not an issue that can’t be resolved. It is our responsibility to fix it. Like football, hockey needs to also work in similar manner with its league. Whether ministry intervention is needed would be decided once it is clear that the situation is not getting resolved,” a Sports Ministry source said.Hockey India (HI) chief Dilip Tirkey, who is a former player, and the body’s secretary general Bhola Nath Singh have been locked in a public tug of war ever since the decision to change the teams’ jersey colour from blue to saffron ahead of the World Cup. The move was criticised outside the hockey circles.In the aftermath, Tirkey has said on the record that he was not consulted before the decision was made. He further issued a show cause notice last week to HI Director General, Cdr R K Srivastava, who is perceived to be close to Singh.Bhola Nath Singh, meanwhile, has called an Emergent Board Meeting (EGM) on September 18 to discuss the current situation.Tirkey, meanwhile, insisted that he has not approved any such meeting and would not do so until he receives a response from Srivastava on the jersey fiasco, among other issues.The Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had met the Hockey India top brass, including Tirkey, on Monday where the Hockey India League’s (HIL) roadmap and sustainability was discussed. Bhola Nath Singh and acting Director General Ranjit Gill joined the meeting virtually.Cdr R K Srivastava did attend an official event in Mohali alongside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Executive Board member R P Singh, as dates and venues of the 2026 men’s Asian Champions Trophy were announced.India men’s team had finished eighth at the FIH World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands and the women’s had done better to finish fifth.
