The efforts at unifying the two hockey factions have flopped. This is not surprising. What surprised many was the optimism generated on this count. Why the Sports Ministry is attempting the impossible is intriguing.
What next? Posing a question is easy. Not the answer. Everyone involved in the exercise remains clueless. Both the factions stand faulted on one count or the other. Hockey India hangs by the two letters of recognition, One by IOA and the other from the FIH. The Indian Hockey Federation survives on the vindication of its plea of being unjustly disaffiliated by the IOA in 2008.
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The Sports Ministry deserves approbation for dealing with a complex issue with patience, perseverance and pragmatism. Understandably, it is acting on the advice of the court. Sadly, however, a genuine endeavour has failed, causing ripples of disappointment. The distress among the players, who really make the sport, is apparent.
Caught between the twin power centres their condition is pathetic. True, they get their training, coaching, and competitions. But all these come out of the munificence of the ministry. A web-caster has wondered, perhaps realistically, on whether the HI or IHF can afford a pair of shoes to the players.
The divergence relates to power sharing and the conduct of the World Hockey Series. At no point HI is expected to acceding to a two-year term for two as secretary. The WHS is linked to the FIH. The eligibility codes are strict to conform to the contention of the IHF. To untie this knot can be time consuming.
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There is some degree of disenchantment within the FIH over the happenings. Apprehensions are said to have been expressed during the last executive board meeting held in Amsterdam during the women's Champions Trophy. Questions over the accounts from the 2010 World Cup are reported to have annoyed the executive board.
Will India be isolated by the FIH? Not immediately, especially after FIH has pledged important competitions in New Delhi, including the men's Champions Trophy. If India fails to make the Olympic grade again, then the FIH may recast its priorities.
The Asian Hockey Federation is also monitoring the developments with curiosity. There is a feeling gaining ground that India tends to overlook the AHF on some issues. India went unrepresented in the last council meeting at Ipoh in May.
Silver lining
The silver lining amidst the dark clouds is the appointment of the coach for a term of five years. The international community sees this as a positive step. Michael Nobbs sounds pragmatic saying that he is unaffected by the uncertainties.
How this three-year crisis will resolve itself to facilitating the birth of a robust unit to govern hockey in the country keeps everyone in a fix.