Shiva Keshavan cannot help feeling that the more things change, the more they remain the same.
If Hockey India does not adopt a Sports Code-compliant Constitution at the earliest, the country runs the risk of losing the hosting rights of the Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be held from January 13 to 29.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has written a strongly-worded letter to the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), asking it to stop claiming that it is an FIH-recognised body.
Terming the players' revolt as an 'unfortunate' incident, former hockey federation chief KPS Gill on Friday advised the authorities to talk to the national team members and bring them back to the camp.
Not only did the Indian High Commission issue visa to the players, the new sponsors have also released nine million Pakistani rupees to cover the team's expenses in the tournament to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16.
37 players figure in the probables' list.
A confidential report by an FIH observer lists umpteen ailments that are ruining Indian hockey.
Pakistan head coach Muhammad Saqlain admitted that India are ahead of his side in terms of preparations.
The World Cup will begin in Bhubaneswar from November 28 and Rizwan said his team is well prepared to handle the pressures during the prestigious tournament.
The IOA president said Pillay's experience could improve the medal chances of the eight-time Olympic hockey champions.
India and Pakistan need to improve to survive in world hockey, thinks PHF secretary Akhtar Ul Islam.
The Indian Olympic Association on Wednesday formally announced the formation of 'Hockey India', a unified body comprising the country's men's and women's associations.
The government is working with the Indian Olympic Association, Indian Hockey Federation and Hockey India to facilitate a settlement that is acceptable to both the warring factions -- IHF and Hockey India, Sports Minister Ajay Maken informed the Lok Sabha.
In a move which could derail the ambitious plan of the Indian Hockey Federation to organise a World Series of Hockey in the country, the FIH has threatened to bar players and national associations from participating in the Olympic Games if they associate with the league.
The lubricants major withdrew its sponsorship of the Indian team, citing cost-cutting measures.
Former Pakistan captain Tahir Zaman believes the resumption of hockey ties between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will prove beneficial to both countries and will also be a big boost for revival of the sport.
Ric Charlesworth's controversial stint with Indian hockey finally come to an end on Friday with the Sports Authority of India accepting his resignation. The development put an end to speculation about the Australian legend's future as Technical Advisor to Indian hockey.
'The Odisha government has changed the image of the state by making it a sporting hub of the country with high performance centres, state-of-the-art training facilities and hosting big tournaments. The sports loving people of Sundergarh and Odisha will not forget this while voting.'
The Indian Hockey Federation on Sunday retained the 18-member team for the remaining four matches of the Friendship Series.
Manu Bhaker has been shockingly ignored for this year's Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, a top sports ministry source has asserted
The Council looks into the game at grassroot level and is responsible for its subsequent global development.
The IHF has asked the FIH and IOC to recommend some of the world's best physiotherapists.
While India will play host to the men's tournament, Spain and the Netherlands have been named as the co-host of the 2022 Women's World Cup scheduled to be held from July 1 to 22.
'It is all about money (that BCCI wants to play Pakistan) but in times like these you have to rise above monetary gains'
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, on Wednesday, said that the national men's team will travel to Pakistan for qualifiers in case it fails to directly qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Former India men's hockey head coach Roelant Oltmans blamed the lack of tactical awareness and a non-existent club culture for India's early exit from the 2023 Hockey World Cup.
A large contingent of officials and media were present at the airport to receive the team, which finished fifth in the just-concluded Hockey World League Semi-finals in Antwerp.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel, a close confidante, as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This appointment would make Patel the highest-ranking Indian American in Trump's incoming administration. Patel has previously served in various roles in the Trump administration, including Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Trump praised Patel's work in uncovering the "Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax" and his commitment to "bringing back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI." Patel, who has extensive experience in law enforcement and national security, is known for his work on the Russia investigation and his criticism of the "deep state."
The Mission Olympic Cell is also considering higher incentives for retired Olympians and world-class players who want to take up coaching, in an effort to retain top talent within India.
Indian Hockey Federation president Kanwar Pal Singh Gill, as always, was composed when asked for his reaction to Indian hockey's latest debacle. In an exclusive conversation with rediff.com, he brushed aside talk about stepping down following the India's failure to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, but admitted it was a setback for the game in the country.
Teams for the hockey World Cup and SAFF Games would be announced on August 16.
A miffed Indian Olympic Association hit out at the Sports Ministry for not involving it in Saturday's merger talks to resolve the long-standing dispute between Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation.
Former captain Dhanraj Pillay said the Indian hockey team was lacking on all fronts.
The Secretary General of the Pakistan Hockey Federation Asif Bajwa also condoled the death of Singh.
The Indian women's hockey team played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against England in its opening match of the FIH World Cup in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, on Sunday.
The Aeroflot, in which the Indian team travelled, demanded US dollars 1,000 to be paid for the excess baggage.
'Jugraj wanted us to win all the matches and he was talking to us regularly,' said captain Dhanraj Pillay.
The Indian Hockey Federation has questioned the legality of the Indian Olympic Association's move to form a three-member committee to decide whether the IHF or Hockey India is the legal body to run the game, terming the action contempt of the high court order.
Australia Olympian Ric Charlesworth's appointment as Technical Adviser/Director of the Indian Hockey Federation, under the IOC Solidarity Programme, will be announced in New Delhi on Friday by the FIH despite the Government of India not clearing it.
