New IHF team elected A special body set up to tap talents in NE
Taking the reins of the IHF for third consequtive term, K. P. S. Gill sounds optimistic that the North-East states could play a big role in improving Indian hockey’s standard to dizzy heights.

The annual general meeting of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) was held recently in Guwahati. Former supercop K. P. S. Gill was unanimously elected as the IHF president for the third consequtive time. The Assam Hockey Association (AHA) president and former MP Keshab Mahanta has been elected as one of the eight vice-presidents of the apex body. K. Jyothikumaran of Tamil Nadu has been elected as the secretary general.

About the new committee’s agenda, Mr. Gill said that the first target would be to improve in the international level and then expand hockey in India. He, however, lamented that lack of corporate sponsorship remained a major hurdle for the development of Indian hockey. “We need Rs. 10 crore annually to run Indian hockey. But till now we have only Rs. three crore,” informed Mr. Gill. “We hope to get some big names in the corporate world by the end of this year to sponsor our hockey in a big way,” said the IHF president.

The IHF president announced the formation of a seven-member North-East development committee to tap the region’s potential in hockey. Former IPS officer H. Khaingte of Mizoram has become the chairman of the committee. Mr. Gill echoed his optimism that the North-East is lagging behind in producing quality sportspersons due to lack of infrastructure. With the Centre now laying emphasis on development of sports in the region, Mr. Gill was sure that the region would produce great champions. He appreciated the strides made in developing hockey by Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Arunachal Pradesh also becomes the latest entrant to the IHF this year. He expressed hope that Assam too would forge ahead in hockey with the joint efforts of the AHA and IHF. Mr. Gill extended full support to Assam on behalf of the IHF in its bid to host the next national games.

“Holding the national games would go a long way in developing the infrastructure of sports in the region”, opined the IHF president. On development of hockey in the North-East Mr. Gill said that apart from the formation of the committee, the IHF has also decided to send two teams of promising players from the region on an exposure trip to Europe and Australia. Last year two similar teams had toured Spain and Australia and the IHF president announced that their performance had been praiseworthy. These teams were sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC).

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