Team already selected, Ministry orders fresh trials

In what could be termed as clear-cut government interference in the running of a sports body, the sports ministry through the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has ordered fresh trials to select the ice hockey team for the Asian Winter Games.

Interestingly, the team has already been selected by the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI), a recognised affiliate of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and the names have already been sent to the organisers of the Games, scheduled to be held in Harbin, China, from February 7 to 14.

The ministry has called for the trials on Saturday at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex in Leh, stating that two sets of players’ lists were submitted for clearance.

Secretary general of IHAI Harjinder Singh Jindi called this decision arbitrary and one that smells of government intervention.

“How can they call for a trial when the team has already been selected and the team list has already been shared with the Winter Games organisers? I have the accreditation cards of the full team. I really do not know the purpose of it other than unnecessarily creating troubles for our sport,” Jindi told The Tribune on Saturday.

“We are the authorised body from the international federation to select the teams. How can the ministry or SAI call for a trial? Also, when the deadline for sending the names has passed, even if they select a team after today’s trial, it will not be entertained. So I really do not know what purpose it will serve,” added Jindi.

Sports ministry officials, including sports secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, were unavailable for comments.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha has also weighed in on the developments and has backed the IHAI as the legitimate body and has asked the ministry to clear the team for the Winter Games.

“I wish to bring to your kind attention that the Ice Hockey team recommended for participation in the 9th Asian Winter Games has been selected by the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) which is an affiliated unit of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), copes are enclosed for reference. The selection process was conducted in accordance with the guidelines and standards established by these organizations. The names of the selected team members were entered in the registration system of the Winter Games as per the deadline of 07 December 2024 and no fresh names can be added to the system,” Usha wrote in her letter to sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

“Further, the delegation registration meeting to confirm the participation of the Indian team with the Organising Committee of the Asian Winter Games is scheduled to be held at 1000h on 27th January 2025 and therefore, it is submitted that, the team as selected by the duly recognized NSF of the IOA and IIHF be cleared and financial sanction be accorded so that the IOA is enabled to make travel, clothing and equipment arrangements,” she added.