Former hockey Olympian Vece Paes says winning the Asian Games' tournament could kick-start a revival in the team's fortunes.
Indian Hockey Federation secretary-general K Jothikumaran, who quit after being shown accepting cash in a television sting operation, claimed that he is innocent and accused the news channel of deliberately distorting his discussions. "I find that the entire discussions were recorded stealthily, willfully distorted and maliciously edited to show an entirely wrong picture," Jothikumaran said in a statement.
The last-minute change in fixtures of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament has drawn the ire of leading coaches.
William Xalxo has been asked to standby for the ace defender, who is suffering from typhoid-like symptoms and may miss Champions Trophy.
The India hockey captain said it will provide younger players an opportunity to showcase their skills at the highest level.
An IHF official claimed that seven players that represented India in the junior hockey World Cup were overage
Germany decided against fielding their main team for the Champions Trophy as they are more keen to play the European Nations Cup in Spain next month.
Former India captain Mohammed Shahid on Sunday welcomed Dhanraj Pillay's desire to become national hockey coach and asked the federation to take his claim seriously.
None of the 34 probables named for the Azlan Shah hockey tournament turned up at the camp, scheduled to commence on Wednesday.
Former IHF vice-president Gufran-e-Azam called for the immediate removal of the IHF chief.
Indian Hockey Federation said efforts are on to get a substitute for the World Cup bound team.
Hockey India said it has drawn up a list of competitions both for the senior men and women's teams in the run-up to next year's Tokyo Olympics. The detailed plan involves playing a number of matches against top teams in the world.
Australia and New Zealand, are contemplating pulling out of the December 4-12 competition, to be held in Lahore, on security grounds.
India's No.1 hockey goalkeeper says he is working hard at the fitness camp to rejuvenate himself.
Sports Minister Vikram Verma said there was no discussion on selection matters.
"I can't understand why I was not picked," the 30-year-old full-back said.\n\n
The IHF said the probables for the Champions Trophy hockey tournament were selected on performance.
Clearly in no mood to oblige Sports Minister MS Gill who wants him to go, Indian Hockey Federation President KPS Gill on Thursday said he is not quitting from his post.
IHF handed ONGC their second defeat and will thus fight it out with Air India to decide the top place in the pool in the Murugappa hockey tournament.
IHF chief KPS Gill expressed confidence of the team doing well in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The Indian hockey team will start their defense of the Junior World Cup against Egypt.
India will start their campaign at the Azlan Shah hockey tournament against South Africa on May 26.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Wednesday
India, Australia, Australia 'A' and Pakistan will play two tournaments between May 28 and June 8, in Perth and Sydney.\n\n
The veteran striker was reported to be unhappy playing under a 'much junior' Viren Rasquinha.
'Indian hockey will lose out on one of its most important nurseries of good hockey talent.'
The Champions Trophy in December could be the last assignment for the India's German hockey coach.
The IHF, on Tuesday, accepted the resignation of K Jothikumaran from the post of secretary- general, who quit after a television channel aired video clips of him accepting a bribe to induct a player in the national squad.
It would be the first time in 26 years that India would be hosting the European giants in a one-to-one series.
India has committed to host the Dutch team for a Test series around the same time.
Narinder Batra, Senior Vice President of IHF, demanded an explanation as to how the Federation funds were being spent.
Apparently under pressure, former India captain Dilip Tirkey on Friday turned down an offer from the rejuvenated Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to become a part of the four-member national selection committee. 'I am not accepting the appointment as a selector by the IHF. Air India has not given me permission for this,' Tirkey said in Bhubaneswar.
Eight-time champions India have bee clubbed along side Australia, Argentina, Spain, New Zealand and hosts Japan in a tough Pool A in the men's competition
The erstwhile IHF had recommended to the Sports Ministry a development team, having a few senior players, but the new selection committee, changed the squad though it retained some players from the old list. The committee also decided to retain A K Bansal as head coach of the team for the tournament, starting May 8.
Hockey India's situation is expected to be reviewed again in FIH's next executive board meeting.
The surprise decision comes despite the Indian team finishing a creditable second in the four-nation tournament in Dusseldorf\n\non Sunday.
