In what seems to be a desperate attempt to win back the glorious hockey days and to put India back on top charts, a five member ad- hoc committee decided upon to bring in a Foreign Coach. Indian Hockey has been plunging into controversy again and again, with its unbelievable exit from Olympics, shameful act by Jyoti Kumaran taking bribe and forceful exile of KPS Gill and recently MP Kaushik’s role with the men’s team, Indian Hockey doesn’t want to take any more chances. On temporary basis however Harender Singh was asked to take charge of the team.

Reshuffling has also been done of the probable list of 48 Hockey Players, 11 juniors paving way for seniors when the committee decided to review them after having been received discontentment on the list. On this, famous Indian Hockey Player and one of the Committee member said, “Ajit Pal Singh told me to review the performance of a few senior players at the Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup in Mumbai. They are back in the side on basis of their performance.”

Senior Players Deepak Thakur, Bharat Chikara, Bimal Lakra and VS Vinay were also added in the list whereas juniors are being prepared for the Junior World Cup next year. 

But a senior member of the committee strongly disapproved of the appointment of a Foreign Coach saying that it would not have any affect. “They (the IOA) are taking the game nowhere. If they were so much in favour of a foreign coach then why did they appoint Kaushik? Why did they let go of Ric Charlesworth, who is the best person for the job?”. “How can they judge the performance of the senior players on basis of one tournament?” , the member chose to remain anonymous.

However coach-in-charge Harender Singh was of the view that the committee’s decision will be in the nation’s interest and welcomed it, he said that “The camp for the team will begin in first week of October”. While the Hockey Federation seems to be doing its bid to enhance its image and producing competent players, we as citizens of the country should start respecting and give more attention to our National Sport