NEW DELHEI: The Union Government has refused permission to the Association of Indian World University Games to be held at Sheffield in England in July this year.
According to Mr G.S. Sivia Secretary Sports Association of Indian Universities the government has cleared participation of only athletes and tennis players.
Mr Sivia said that he was not aware of the action taken by the organizers of the All-India Inter-university Hockey Tournament at Gwalior following a clash between players of Delhi University and ‘Guru Nanak Dev University. The organizers he said have probably scratched both the teams. No report has been received by him.
Hockey has been introduced for the first time in the World University Games held every two years. More than 6000 sportsmen and women are expected to participate in the Sheffield games
‘The refusal of permission to hockey team brings to forefront the indifferent attitude of the union government especially the Sports Ministry towards the game of hockey. For a long time various plans drawn by the Indian Hockey Federation for training of national teams for future international engagements had not only been drawing blanks but also remain.
The planning committee of the IHF Started its four day session at the Shivaji Stadium. Various plans drawn out for introduction of hockey competitions at different levels on zonal basis and training of teams besides their exposure to international competitions would be discussed during the meet. Prof Gursewak Singh secretary IHF presided over the first session which was attended among others by Mr Balkrishan Singh Mr Sukhbir Singh Grewal (SAI-NIS) Mr D.S. Murthy and Mr N.P. Katare besides others.
The IHF is also likely to utilize the offer made by the England based Indian Gymkhana in training its junior team in England for three months.
Prof Gursewak Singh said that he would urge the organizers of the Indira Gandhi Gold Cup Hockey Tournament to convert this into an under-21 international invitation Tournament. It would attract stronger and better teams.
Further it would also help the junior squads of the country to get good match practice prior to their other engagements.
The IHF Secretary said it was unfortunate that the government had not cleared Indian’s participation in the World University Games.
“It is a good opportunity for Indian colts to prove their worth and get necessary international experience. I feel India must participate in the World Student Games” he added.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 8, 1991
