Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey
NEW DELHI: The internal power struggle within Hockey India has taken a dramatic turn, with federation president and former India captain Dilip Tirkey filing a complaint with Delhi Police against some of the federation’s officials, alleging “criminal breach of trust, theft, endangerment of life and wrongful abandonment”.
Tirkey was in New Delhi on September 22 on an official visit and, as per protocol, Hockey India provided him with an official vehicle during his stay, according to the PTI report.
Tirkey subsequently made repeated calls to HI officials seeking the return of the vehicle and his belongings, but the officials allegedly did not respond, according to the report. Tirkey had said the switch from blue to saffron was made without his knowledge or the approval of the Executive Board. The report alleged that the vehicle was abruptly recalled by the federation without Tirkey’s personal belongings being returned. These reportedly included a bag containing his essential medicines. The dispute intensified following the controversy over the Indian teams’ jersey colour ahead of the FIH World Cup. He subsequently stripped Srivastava of his powers and issued him a show-cause notice containing eight charges.
The September 18 meeting was also expected to discuss the restructuring of the Hockey India League, including a proposed separate joint venture involving franchise owners and a new Governing Council, as well as the federation’s election schedule and the hosting of the Asian Champions Trophy. I am in Japan to inspire our sides so that they directly qualify for the LA Olympics by winning gold at the Asian Games,” Bhola Nath told PTI from Nagoya.
Bhola Nath, who is currently in Nagoya for the Asian Games, said he was unaware of Tirkey’s complaint. “I am really not aware about such a thing.