New Delhi: Indian hockey's season of discontent has extended to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), who want the Indian bosses to shoulder the burden and work towards improvement of standards.
The FIH had submitted its report ahead of its project 'Promotion Indian Hockey' in November 2006 that had 14 "areas of concern" about the declining standards of the game in the country. It said a step-by-step method of implementing the programme was the right way to go.
An FIH release mentions project leader Bab Davidzon citing the areas of concern after his meetings and a prompt study. The world governing body in fact, has already issued a reminder in the form of this release of the Indian Hockey Federation's duties towards the improvement of the sport's standards.
The areas of concern has also mentioned both the Indian men's and women's hockey federations and the project includes suggestions for both.
"As soon as their Executive Boards can identify themselves with these proposals and commit themselves to allocate people and other relevant resources to assist in addressing them, the project will go into second gear immediately," the release said.
The International Hockey Federation's project has also got the backing of the Indian Olympic Association and the Olympic Solidarity Mission.
The Indian Hockey Federation has been slammed for its adminitration for its internal selection policies that has led to senior and experienced players frequently ousted from the national side.
Administrative blunders have been cited for India's debacle, leading to below-par performances in an array of tournaments, the latest being the Asian Games, where India finished fifth.
With Olympics 2008 being India's next major mission, the men's and the women's team have the qualifying hurdles lined up for them. Though the women's side managed a bronze at the Doha Asiad, they still have to go through the qualification stages.
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