Hockey struggling to survive in J&K

 Hockey struggling to survive in J&K

Internal squabble between parallel associations creates confusion among players 

 Yash Khajuria

JAMMU, Aug 16: Tug of war between two Hockey association in Jammu and Kashmir are casting its affect on players and game.

The game has become causality of internal politics and political influence and playing are in total confusion at the moment which is affecting their performance in the national championships.

Sources said resentment is brewing up among some of the office bearers of both the associations regarding their non- functioning. “Two associations namely J&K Hockey Association and Hockey J&K are responsible for conducting the activities in the state but unfortunately the internal politics within two associations has put the future of players at stake.

“Both the federations are dictating terms by sending their separate teams for various prestigious tournaments creating a mess in state hockey”, said a officials on the condition of anonymity.

He further said “It has been a while since the state championship was conducted.  Even the district championships are not a regular feature. For selecting state team in nationals both the associations complete mere formality by conducting selection trials separately”.

The Hockey J&K although has been registered with the Hockey India but it is an adhoc body because the elections are yet to be held to elect its office bearers.

Another hockey official claimed. “President of Hockey J&K, Narinder Batra who is also the general secretary of Hockey India has done nothing for the promotion of  game in the State despite being a son of the soil.

Meanwhile, the pathetic condition of famous K K Hakhu Astro Turf Stadium has made situation even worse. The stadium once famous for hosting the prestigious Indira Gandhi Gold Cup Championship featuring international stars is now in shambles.

It is pertinent to mention here that recently the Jammu Kashmir hockey association has conducted its elections and formed its new body where the other association is also in a fray to conduct the elections but the authority are not looking in mood to discard either of the associations.

Interestingly the authorities has also displayed the loop hand to the said associations as the Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, Dalip thussu who has recently joined the post has said that he do not have any idea about the technicalities for the said associations and did not answered when asked to disagree one of the association so that the players could opt for the fare one and could be able to participate in the upcoming state as well as national level hockey tourneys.

Now it’s a big question that if the authority did not affirm its genuine body for hockey in the state then what will the future of the hockey in the state.