Sports
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Indian hockey had reason to celebrate on another day in Delhi on September 25, as former national captains and prominent hockey veterans gathered outside the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to protest against the functioning of Hockey India.
While India’s women’s team was busy extending its unbeaten run at the Asian Games with a 3-1 win over Japan, the action outside the Delhi stadium was all about the unrest in the sport’s administration.
Former Indian hockey captains and veterans protested outside Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on September 25 against Hockey India’s administration, demanding an overhaul including an ad hoc committee, fresh elections, and compliance with sports development codes.
Former India players Pramod Batlaw, Ashok Diwan, Romeo James and Asunta Lakra mounted the protest and sent a memorandum addressed to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, expressing a need for a big change in the existing administrative set up of Hockey India.
They demanded the dissolution of the current Executive Committee and a formation of an ad hoc committee comprising former India players, Olympians, a retired judge or legal expert, and observers from the Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India.
They also called for fresh elections to be held within six months by an independent election officer.
Former captains protest outside stadium
The protest took a bizarre turn when the former players were not allowed inside the stadium. Security personnel apparently asked them to establish their identities, despite their association with Indian hockey.
That became a big issue during the demonstration.
Asunta Lakra, former India captain, questioned why former players and captains had to identify themselves at a venue associated with the sport they had represented.
The protesters displayed placards highlighting their concerns on the functioning of Hockey India. One message strongly critiqued secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, reflecting the mounting feud in the federation.
The former players said their campaign aimed to bring more accountability and a more prominent role for hockey veterans in the administration of the sport.
‘Let hockey players run hockey’
Pramod Batlaw argued former international players should have more say in running Indian hockey.
He questioned the involvement of administrators without a playing background in big hockey decisions and urged that veterans be brought into decision-making positions.
According to Batlaw, former players have the necessary experience and understanding to formulate a long-term vision for Indian hockey.
He also suggested that the protest could widen beyond Delhi. If their demands are not met, he said, former players could rally support from state-level hockey units.
The protesters also questioned compliance with the National Sports Development Code, 2025. Their memorandum called for implementation of provisions relating to age and tenure restrictions, athlete representation and governance compliance.
