The tussle within Hockey India shows no sign of resolving any time soon.

Even as some of the top brass of the federation was present in Chandigarh for the formal announcement of the men’s Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) on Monday, president Dilip Tirkey was meeting Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and other senior government officials along with HIL franchises in New Delhi.

Sources said Tirkey introduced Ranjit Gill — Director of Hockey India and its senior most employee, her association with the sport going back decades — as the acting director general to everyone including the Minister. At the same time, Cdr R.K. Srivastava, who has been directed to cede authority as DG, was present along with secretary general Bholanath Singh and chief selector R.P. Singh in Chandigarh, accompanying Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.

Monday’s meeting in New Delhi also saw concerns raised around the survival of the Hockey India League and its existing governance structure with Mandaviya making it clear in no uncertain terms that the government would back its continuation in every way.

Change in HIL ownership and governance structure

“The Minister assured full support to the HIL but also made it clear that the existing structure needed to be change. A five-member committee has been suggested including representatives from the franchises, Hockey India and the ministry to thrash out the best possible way forward,” sources in the know said.

There was also a proposal to make the franchise owners stakeholders in the league with a share of equity but there was disagreement about the percentage. While HI officials kept pushing for 51% and exclusive voting rights, the franchises present were keen on equitable holding, something the Ministry was more in favour of. The proposed committee has been asked to work out a framework within a month.

The Ministry has also reportedly assured Tirkey that its main interest was in ensuring the growth and development of hockey with no individual bigger than the sport and anyone unwilling was free to leave.

Batra, Asima in support

Meanwhile, former HI and FIH president Narinder Batra has thrown his support in Tirkey’s favour in the federation’s internal fight for control while suggesting measures to resolve the stalemate including constitution of an independent Ad Hoc Committee to oversee Hockey India until the elections, independently examining all POSH-related complaints, conducting an independent financial/forensic review of major expenditure, grants, benefits and payments among others.

“I understand that 12 Executive Board members have supported the position of Secretary General Bholanath Singh in relation to the proposed action concerning Cdr R.K. Srivastava. This development makes it even more important that the basis for these positions, and any relevant financial or other benefits provided to member units or individuals, are independently examined,” he said, referring to Tirkey’s notice of suspension to Srivastava.

Interestingly, two EB members — Asima Ali and and Sunil Malik — have declared their support for Tirkey as well. “I am writing this mail because I am really very upset after seeing that a person who is President of Hockey India, who has been a renowned player, a dignified person and a Member of Parliament and has always worked honestly for the development of hockey, is facing such opposition from the Executive Board.

“Rather these EB members are favouring a person (Director General) who has been continuously not complying with the orders of the president’s office. I am really surprised and disappointed to see all this and I do not support such behaviour where any official/EB member is disrespecting the chair and orders of president,” Asima wrote.

ACT from October 27

Meanwhile in Chandigarh, Mann released the tournament logo for the October 27-November 5 event with the league matches in Jalandhar and the knockouts and final in Mohali. The six nation tournament — including Pakistan, Malaysia, Korea, Japan and China — has been made ticket-free with the India-Pakistan clash scheduled for November 1. Oman and Bangladesh are the reserve teams.

The two venues — Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and ₹8.96 crore for the Olympian Balbir Singh (Senior) International Hockey Stadium in Mohali — will be upgraded at a coast of ₹14 crore and ₹8.96 crore respectively. “These are not merely infrastructure projects but an investment in Punjab’s sporting future,” Mann added, declaring that the event would be a testing ground for the state staking its claim to host the 2030 World Cup as well.

A total of 30 teams will participate across three divisions in the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 to get underway in Pune from Wednesday.

The tournament will continue until August 23, with the teams competing for the national title as well as promotion and relegation across the divisions.

The championship will feature Division ‘A’, Division ‘B’ and Division ‘C’, with the three categories providing a pathway for teams to compete at their respective levels and progress through the national championship system.

The division-based format will see teams battle not only for the title but also for promotion to a higher division.

The Division ‘A’, comprising 12 teams, has been divided into four pools. Pool A features Jharkhand, Punjab and Chandigarh, while Pool B consists of Haryana, Odisha and Bengal.

Pool C includes Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Manipur. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal are in Pool D.

The Division ‘A’ league stage will begin on August 16, with each team playing against the other teams in its respective pool. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for August 20. The semifinals will be played on August 21, followed by the 3rd-4th place match, and the final, on August 23.

The 12 teams in Division ‘A’ will be competing for the coveted national championship title, while the teams finishing 11th and 12th overall will be relegated to Division ‘B’ for the next edition.

The Division ‘B’ will feature 10 teams divided into two pools. Pool A comprises Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Kerala and Mizoram while Pool B includes Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Goa. The top two teams from this division will earn promotion to Division ‘A’, while the bottom two teams will be relegated to Division ‘C’.

The Division ‘C’ will feature eight teams divided into two pools. Pool A consists of Arunachal, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Rajasthan, and Tripura, while Pool B includes Puducherry, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, and Telangana. The top two teams from this category will earn promotion to Division ‘B’ for the next edition.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said, “With teams competing across three divisions, the tournament will provide young players with valuable competitive exposure while strengthening the domestic pathway.”

The mess in Hockey India keeps getting worse.

On Tuesday, Secretary General (SG) Bholanath Singh reiterated that the Executive Board (EB) was the only forum to resolve all governance issues and sought a meeting to resolve matters.

“For the past few days, mails from you have raised different issues. It is, therefore, requested that all issues may be compiled and put before the EB.

“It is reiterated that the EB is the only competent body to resolve this. Please convene an Emergent EB meeting at the earliest,” Bholanath wrote to HI president Dilip Tirkey.

Bholanath has also asked Director General (DG) Cdr. R.K. Srivastava for an explanation on how the media got wind of HI’s internal mails.

“It has come to my notice that the contents of the mail sent by Dilip Tirkey has found place in the media… you are requested to investigate the matter. Questions regarding the jersey issue will only be discussed in the HI EB meeting,” he wrote.

No action

This development comes on a day Srivastava failed to provide documentary evidence, despite a strongly worded reminder from Tirkey, for the decision to change the jersey colour.

Following up on her accusations of threats and intimidation by Hockey India secretary Bholanath Singh, former India captain Asunta Lakra has urged the Sports Ministry to intervene against the “institutional protection of sexual harassment, intimidation and victimisation of women athletes in hockey”, even as federation president Dilip Tirkey assured to look into the matter.

Writing to the ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha, among others, Asunta alleged that individuals accused of misconduct were being protected while those raising concerns were threatened.

“I write to you not merely as a former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, a member of the Executive Board of Hockey India and a selector but as an Indian woman who chose to speak up when young female athletes were being sexually harassed,” wrote Asunta.

“Throughout my career, I believed the greatest responsibility of a senior player is not only to win medals but also to protect the next generation… I brought to the attention of the Jharkhand government allegations against Sudhir Golla… what followed has shaken my faith in the system. The machinery of intimidation was set in motion against me,” she alleged.

Tirkey assured he would talk to both parties to resolve the matter. “Asunta Lakra is one of the treasures of Indian hockey. She has done a great service to the sport by bringing to light an unfortunate incident related to Jharkhand hockey. The Jharkhand government has taken action against Sudhir Golla, and we removed him from the Under-18 national team.

“Regarding allegations against Bholanath, I will speak to both parties and hope that the matter is resolved amicably. The dignity and respect of women is our top priority and Hockey India remains fully committed to the same,” Tirkey said.