Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has called for changes to the Hockey India League's governance structure, proposing a five-member committee to determine a new framework within a month.
The internal rift within Hockey India escalated as President Dilip Tirkey met with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, senior government officials, and Hockey India League (HIL) franchise owners in New Delhi. During the meeting, Tirkey introduced Ranjit Gill, Director of Hockey India, as the acting director general. Meanwhile, Cdr R.K. Srivastava, who has been directed to cede authority as DG, attended an event in Chandigarh alongside Secretary General Bholanath Singh, chief selector R.P. Singh, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
During the New Delhi discussions regarding the HIL's survival, Sports Minister Mandaviya assured full government support but emphasized that the league's governance structure needs to change. A proposed five-member committee comprising representatives from the franchises, Hockey India, and the ministry has been tasked with working out a framework within a month. Debates over equity ownership emerged during the meeting, with HI officials pushing for a 51% stake and exclusive voting rights, while franchises and the ministry favored an equitable holding structure.
The federation's internal strife has drawn varied support from key figures. Former HI and FIH president Narinder Batra backed Tirkey, advocating for an independent Ad Hoc Committee to oversee Hockey India until elections, alongside an independent financial and forensic review and an examination of POSH-related complaints. While 12 Executive Board (EB) members backed Secretary General Bholanath Singh's position regarding Srivastava, EB members Asima Ali and Sunil Malik declared support for Tirkey, with Ali criticizing EB members for disrespecting the president's chair.
Separately in Chandigarh, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann released the logo for the Men's Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled from October 27 to November 5. The six-nation tournament—featuring India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, and China, with Oman and Bangladesh as reserves—will be ticket-free, featuring an India-Pakistan clash on November 1. Upgrades costing ₹14 crore for the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and ₹8.96 crore for the Olympian Balbir Singh (Senior) International Hockey Stadium in Mohali are underway as Punjab prepares to stake its claim to host the 2030 World Cup.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.