The fights in Hockey India take an ugly turn as Dilip Tirkey files a police complaint

Internal bickering within Hockey India took a dramatic turn when federation president and former India captain Dilip Tirkey filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against some HI officials, accusing them of “criminal breach of trust, theft, endangerment of life and illegal abandonment”.

The complaint filed by Tirkey also seeks the immediate return of his property and documents. The South Delhi DCP’s office confirmed receipt of the complaint but also said no FIR has been filed so far.

Tirkey’s complaint names Cdr RK Srivastava, former HI managing director whom Tirkey dismissed after the saffron jersey fiasco during the recent FIH World Cup, HI finance manager Subodh Kumar, HI director Bhushan Kumar and vehicle driver Harminder Singh. Repeated calls to Tirkey about the development went unanswered.

According to well-placed sources, Tirkey was on an official visit to the national capital on September 22 and as per protocol HI provided him with an official vehicle during his stay.

The source said the vehicle was suddenly withdrawn by the federation without returning Tirkey’s personal belongings, including a bag containing his essential medicines lying inside.

The former India defender repeatedly called HI officials to send the vehicle back with his belongings. It is alleged that HI officials did not respond to his calls.

Tirkey is currently locked in a war with HI General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh over administrative decisions and meeting minutes.

The dispute escalated after the controversial change in the color of the Indian team’s jersey just before the World Cup in Netherlands and Belgium, which President Tirkey claims was done without his approval.

A new meeting of the executive board was scheduled for 18 September to deal with these internal conflicts, discuss the restructuring of the Hockey India League (HIL) and finalize the election dates, but Tirkey said it did not have his sanction and was therefore illegal.

Nevertheless, the meeting went ahead and HIL’s plans were discussed, including the creation of a separate joint venture with franchise capital and a new Board of Governors to oversee its governance.

The meeting also discussed the exhibition announcement Tirkey made for Srivastava and the hosting of the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy in Mohali and Jalandhar.

When contacted, Bhola Nath denied knowing about the complaint filed by Tirkey as he is in Nagoya for the Asian Games.

“I really don’t know about anything like that. I am in Japan to inspire our sides to directly qualify for the LA Olympics by winning gold in the Asian Games,” Bhola Nath told PTI from Nagoya.

“As far as the elections are concerned, they will be held on November 7 as decided,” he claimed.

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