The foundations for a rebel league in hockey have been laid. The Indian Hockey Federation, which doesn’t have the approval of the game’s international body, FIH, on Tuesday announced plans for a money-spinning World Series league towards the end of 2011. Nimbus TV has joined hands with the IHF in the audacious venture. The move should ruffle the feathers of Hockey India, which has the backing of FIH.
By unveiling a grand plan for a lucrative league involving multinational stars, the IHF has aped the now defunct Indian Cricket League, which was the brainchild of the Zee TV boss, Subhash Chandra. Lalit Modi is widely credited to have been the inspiration for the IPL but it was Chandra’s bold bid to challenge the might of BCCI that necessitated the formation of an official league.
Unlike the ICL, which could only lure big internationals stars in the twilight of their careers, the World Series has attracted the cream of Indian hockey. Sardara Singh, who found a place on the all-star team at the Asian Games, and penalty corner expert Sandeep Singh have jumped on the IHF bandwagon. Mumbai-based goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza has also signed on the dotted line. Clearly, the IHF has succeeded in selling a dream to India’s top players, who earn pitiable money in domestic tournaments.
Hockey India’s secretary Narendra Batra has vowed to render the World Series a nonstarter. HI looks at the IHF adventure as a desperate attempt to gain legitimacy. Given his cosy relationship with the FIH, Batra will ensure that foreign players aren’t available for the IHF-Nimbus venture. Hockey India may also threaten to exclude Indian players who have signed for the World Series from the national team.
Hockey administration in India is still enmeshed in legal tangle, even though a court order permitted HI to send teams for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games earlier this year. In the backdrop of the prevailing logjam, the union sports ministry’s seal of approval to one faction will be critical.
Sports minister M.S. Gill was at loggerheads with Batra’s group over the selection of octogenarian Vidya Stokes as president of HI. Batra and co relented after initial bravado and replaced Stokes with a younger president to fall in line with sports ministry’s new age rules. In the meantime, the IHF has also been working overtime to convince Gill of its bona fide. A final order from the courts and a firm stand from the sports ministry should clear the muddied waters. Until then, the cat and mouse game will go on.
Former Indian captain Md. Riaz has doubts over the proposed World Series. “We have to see how players react if their places on the national team are at stake. It must be noted that government institutions such as Railways and Air India hadn’t sent their teams to the senior nationals conducted by the IHF earlier this year. The backing of the FIH is a major plus for Hockey India. If worst comes to worst, HI may choose to send a weakened team to international events,” he added.
After conducting three editions of the Premier Hockey League in collaboration with ESPN-STAR Sports, the IHF has roped in Nimbus as its partner for a new journey. As things stand now, the ride isn’t going to be smooth.