The Indian men’s hockey team is facing intense scrutiny following a disappointing performance at the recent World Cup, with focus shifting from the coaching staff and senior players to the internal mechanisms of
While the official Hockey India website lists 16 individuals tasked with selection duties alongside coaching and medical staff, the reality appears to be a stark departure from this structure. Reports indicate that a small, recurring group of individuals consistently handles the selection process, while many other appointed selectors have been effectively sidelined or ignored for years without formal notification.
Systemic Issues and Sidelined Selectors
The selection process has been marred by a lack of communication and adherence to constitutional norms. Former players and appointed selectors, including Yuvraj Walmiki and Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, have reportedly not been invited to participate in selection duties for nearly two years. Walmiki confirmed that he only discovered he had been removed from his position after personally inquiring about attending a tournament in Pune. Similarly, others such as Rajnish Mishra and Sameer Dad have not been called upon since 2024, while M.M. Somaya requested to be removed from his post after being repeatedly overlooked.
The administrative instability is further compounded by the fact that the High Performance Director position has remained vacant since the conclusion of Herman Kruis’s tenure in September 2024. Meanwhile, the core group consistently involved in team selection includes B.P. Govinda, Balwinder Singh, Mohd. Riaz, and chairman R.P. Singh. This concentration of power has led to allegations that the executive committee is frequently bypassed regarding key appointments and dismissals, a claim supported by committee member Asima Ali, who expressed frustration over the lack of oversight in financial and executive decision-making.
Disillusionment Within the Ranks
The impact of this centralized control extends to the development of the national squad. Several selectors have alleged that their recommendations for new talent are consistently ignored, leading to a cycle where the same group of approximately 30 players is rotated regardless of domestic performance. This has fostered a sense of futility among those tasked with scouting, as they feel their presence at domestic competitions serves little purpose if the national camp roster remains stagnant.
According to the Hockey India constitution, the appointment and removal of selectors should involve the executive committee. However, insiders suggest that this process is rarely followed, with a few key figures exercising unilateral control. As the team looks to move forward from its recent struggles, the internal governance of Hockey India remains a significant point of contention, casting a shadow over the future of the national program.
