Amid the escalating rifts within Hockey India (HI), a group of former players has thrown its weight behind HI president Dilip Tirkey and called for urgent reform in the running of the federation.

Some members of the group, of which illustrious names like Zafar Iqbal, V. Baskaran and Ashok Kumar are a part, gathered for a protest at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Friday.

While the aforementioned trio couldn’t be in attendance, Olympians Vineet Kumar and Romeo James, who were part of the Indian team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, were among those who made their voices heard.

Having been denied permission by the authorities to express dissent inside the venue, the former players held placards outside Gate No. 7.

The tussles in the governing body came into prominence on September 12 when Director General Cdr. R.K. Srivastava was stripped of all his powers and asked to explain repeated instances of non-compliance with Tirkey’s directives. Srivastava had travelled to the recent World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium despite Tirkey directing him not to do so.

The factional discord was exacerbated a couple of days later when Srivastava accompanied secretary general Bhola Nath Singh to Chandigarh for the formal announcement of the men’s Asian Champions Trophy even as Tirkey was meeting Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi. An emergent Executive Board meeting on September 18 was then called by Bhola Nath without Tirkey’s sanction.

Former India women’s team captain Asunta Lakra, who had accused Bhola Nath of intimidating her with consequences after she raised objections to the alleged harassment of young girls in Jharkhand, was also part of the protest.

The dissenting group’s primary demand is for an ad-hoc committee — comprising former players, a retired judge or legal luminary and an observer from the sports ministry or Sports Authority of India (SAI) — to run the affairs till the next elections.

Pramod Batlaw, a member of the silver-winning team at the 1978 Asian Games, said it was paramount for HI to be cleaned up. “There are people in HI who don’t know anything about the sport. They want to send Tirkey out and take all the powers,” he told The Hindu.

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.”

For decades, blue has been synonymous with Indian sport. So why has Hockey India decided to replace it with saffron as the primary colour of the men’s national team’s jersey ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup? The move has sparked criticism from former players, administrators, fans and politicians, raising questions that go far beyond the design of a kit.

In this episode of In Focus, we look at how the decision was made, whether the federation followed due process, if players and support staff were genuinely consulted, and whether Hockey India’s technical explanation for the change stands up to scrutiny.

Guest: Uthra Ganesan, The Hindu’s hockey correspondent

Host: Reuben Joe Joseph

Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

Listen to more In Focus podcasts:

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.

The mess within Hockey India (HI) keeps getting worse.

In a latest development, former India captain and HI Executive Board member Asunta Lakra has been served a show cause notice by the federation’s Ethics Committee on a complaint filed against her by Albela Rani Toppo, also from Jharkhand.

This comes a day after the Sports Ministry, supported by HI president Dilip Tirkey, had asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to conduct an independent enquiry into Asunta’s allegations of sexual harassment of girls in Jharkhand hockey and institutional intimidation by HI secretary general Bholanath Singh.

“It is to inform you that Ms. Albela Rani Toppo has moved two applications against you addressed to the secretary general, Hockey India, dt. 05.04.2026 and 09.07.2026 respectively making certain allegations against you,” the notice issued by Committee chairman Justice (Retd.) Raghvendra Kumar says, seeking a response by July 30.

In response to the notice, Asunta has written to the ministry against what she calls “continued intimidation and retaliation” by HI.

“…initiating a parallel enquiry through Hockey India’s own mechanism raises serious concern about fairness and creates the impression of intimidation and retaliation… I wish to place on record that Bholanath Singh, against whom I raised allegations relating to the handling of the Sudhir Golla matter, is directly connected to the present complaint process. The complaint filed by Ms Toppo has been addressed to him and he has subsequently directed the Ethics Committee to begin proceedings against me.

“The IOA is now seized of this matter and will conduct an impartial inquiry… I humbly request your urgent intervention to ensure that no parallel process is used to intimidate or disadvantage me while the independent inquiry is underway,” Asunta wrote.

The allegations of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and institutional protection for the accused within Hockey India (HI) have gone beyond the federation’s internal purview. The sports ministry, recognising the seriousness of the matter, has now directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to look into it.

“The sports ministry has asked the IOA to form a neutral, fair and transparent committee to probe the allegations made by the ex India captain Asunta Lakra. The ministry has also sought a clarification from Hockey India on the same,” sources in the ministry confirmed.

Asunta had written to the ministry seeking an impartial probe against HI secretary general Bholanath Singh, fearing bias if the matter was handled by the federation through its internal process. The ministry’s decision follows a similar request by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey himself to the ministry on Wednesday. He also informed the HI EB of the same.

“Since both the complainant and the respondent are members of the Executive Board, it would not be appropriate for Hockey India to conduct its own inquiry as this may give rise to concerns regarding impartiality. Accordingly, I have requested the sports secretary to constitute an independent committee… Hockey India will extend its full cooperation,” Tirkey wrote informing the HI EB.

Meanwhile, a group of 13 national and international players from Jharkhand have also legally challenged Hockey Jharkhand elections, officially scheduled for July 19, with all posts including that of Bholanath as president being filled unanimously. The group, including the likes of Manohar Topno and Sumrai Tete, have accused Bholanath of continuing illegally for a fourth term and flouting rules under the National Sports Governance Act.

Hockey Jharkhand continued its dominance at the grassroots level by clinching the 16th Hockey India sub-junior women’s National championship, marking a third consecutive title (2024, 2025, 2026) and reinforcing its status as one of the strongest junior setups in the country.

Jharkhand has seen significant development in hockey infrastructure, particularly in the construction of astroturfs between 2014 and 2026. 

This infrastructure growth has played a crucial role in nurturing hockey talent across the State. Over the last 16 years, Jharkhand’s structured youth development system has translated into success, particularly in the women’s categories. 

The State has secured an impressive 34 medals in women’s competitions alone, including 10 gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals.

Jharkhand’s junior women’s team has amassed 14 medals (five gold, five silver, four bronze), while the sub-junior women’s team has claimed 12 (four gold, five silver, three bronze), including the recent three-peat. 

At the senior level, Jharkhand women have also made their mark, winning eight medals (one gold, one silver, six bronze), including most recent title triumph in 2025.

Simdega district in Jharkhand, particularly, has turned into a nursery of Indian women’s hockey in recent years. The sub-junior national championship saw strong representation from Simdega with the team featuring Sandeepa Kumari, Pushpa Manjhi, Preeti Biluung, Regina Kullu, Saniya Tirkey, and Nipunata Kullu.

Over the decade from 2016 to 2026, Simdega has consistently produced top talent for the Indian women’s Team across senior and junior levels. Notable players who have represented India include current Indian captain Salima Tete, Sangita Kumari, Beauty Dungdung, Deepika Soreng, Mahima Tete, Ropni Kumari, Rajni Kerketta, Nisha Minj, Neeru Kullu, Alka Dungdung, Alpha Kerketta, Sushma Kumari, Sweety Dungdung, and Anjana Dungdung, who was part of the Senior A team for the China tour.

While the women’s programme has been the standout, Hockey Jharkhand has also recorded success on the men’s side, with four medals (one gold, two silver, one Bronze) in the sub-junior men’s National championships.

A 24-member squad for the upcoming home leg of the FIH Pro league was named on Thursday with several youngsters finding place in the Indian men’s hockey team’s season opening competition for the year.

The Rourkela leg is scheduled from February 10-15 with Argentina and Belgium being the other two teams.

While Pawan Malik gets a chance in the goal, defender and drag-flicker Amandeep Lakra has earned a call-up after an impressive outing in the Hockey India League, where he was adjudged the Player of the Tournament.

Also included are 21-year-old Rosan Kujur with his maiden call-up to the senior national squad and Manmeet Singh, both part of the side that won bronze at the recent Junior World Cup.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Pawan

Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra

Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rosan Kujur

Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage