Alarm bells are ringing in Indian sports administration as a serious rift between players and the coach threatens to derail the hard-earned progress of the country's women's hockey team. The sudden departure of head coach Harendra Singh, amid a storm of allegations, has forced the government to intervene directly to salvage the situation and protect the team's Olympic dreams.
Ministry Takes Charge to Douse Flames
The Union Sports Ministry has stepped in to control the escalating crisis, directing key bodies to hold urgent talks. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) division and senior officials from the SAI's Bengaluru regional centre have been tasked with meeting senior players. The national camps for both hockey teams are held at this centre.
The ministry's clear objectives are to understand the root causes of the player uprising against Harendra Singh, evaluate the potential damage, and immediately work to eliminate groupism and simmering tensions within the squad. The goal is to prevent such disruptive episodes from recurring and ensure a stable environment for the athletes.
Allegations and a Resignation That Shook the Team
The controversy stems from the exit of head coach Harendra Singh from the national setup. His resignation came following serious accusations from within the team, including charges of mental harassment, outdated coaching techniques, and favouritism. Ministry officials have privately expressed disappointment with Hockey India's (HI) handling of the sensitive matter, stating the federation failed to play a proactive role.
"His resignation should have been handled in a more gracious manner. He left after realizing there was no support within the federation for his coaching philosophy. We cannot allow internal politics to triumph," a ministry official revealed. The feeling is that HI mismanaged and misunderstood the gravity of the situation from the outset.
Focus on the Crucial Year Ahead
The central government's intervention underscores the critical importance of the upcoming competitive calendar. The next year is vital for Indian hockey, with major events like the Asian Games and the World Cup on the horizon. Officials emphasize that the team must channel all its energy into training and performance.
"We want the women's hockey team to focus solely on their preparations and games, not on player-coach politics. We have provided them with the best facilities, funding, international exposure, and coaching support," an official stated. The ministry's move is a direct effort to shield the players from administrative turmoil and refocus their attention on the field, where historic gains made over recent years are now at risk of being undone by internal discord.
