The power struggle in Hockey India continues as Dilip Tirkey challenges the executive board meeting

The power struggle in Hockey India took another turn on Tuesday after president Dilip Tirkey questioned the validity of the special executive committee meeting convened by secretary Bhola Nath Singh on September 18.

The proposed meeting was intended to address growing differences within the federation and discuss changes in the Indian Hockey League, including the creation of an independent governing body to oversee the competition.

The relationship between Tirkey and Bhola Nath has been strained for some time, with the dispute over the color of the Indian teams’ jersey adding to the tension.

India’s switch from the traditional blue jerseys to saffron ahead of the recently concluded FIH World Cup was done without Tirkey’s knowledge or approval of the Hockey India executive board, according to the president.

This controversy led Tirkey to issue a notice to Hockey India CEO Cdr RK Srivastava. He also relieved Srivastava of all his duties with immediate effect and cited eight allegations against him, prominently among them the change of jersey colour.

Srivastava was given four weeks to respond to the notice and Bhola Nath subsequently moved to convene an emergency meeting of the executive council on 18 September.

“Based on the advice/instructions of Hockey India President, Dr. Dilip Tirkey, received in an email dated 14.09.2026, the Extraordinary – 119th meeting of the Hockey India Executive Board will be held on 18.09.2026 at 3:00 PM at Hockey India Office, New Delhi,” Bholae wrote in an email to executive members Nath in a copy of Bholae. of PTI.

However, Tirkey has now questioned the Secretary’s authority to call such a meeting. The Hockey India president, in his reply on Tuesday, claimed that the power to call an emergency meeting rests solely with the federation chief and not the secretary.

“Referring to your email, please inform me that the constitution, approved by HI on 20 June 2026, clearly states in clause (16.4.2) that only the President and not the General Secretary can call a special meeting,” Tirkey wrote in his email to Bhola Nath and members of the Executive Council.

“Also be informed, I have made it very clear in my earlier communications that if the DG does not submit its explanation, no EB meeting will take place.

“Once again I request you to refrain from disobeying the Chairman President of Hockey India and instead spread your own decisions and judgments on other members and create confusion. The actions I have taken are purely for the betterment of hockey instead of any betterment of any individual and their personal interests,” he further wrote.

The proposed meeting was also expected to discuss the future of the Hockey India League, including plans for both men’s and women’s competitions.

The latest development came the day after Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met Tirkey and representatives of the HIL franchises on Monday. The meeting focused on finding a way forward for the league, with a five-member panel tasked with preparing a road map covering its governance and financial structure.

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Published on:

16 Sep 2026 01:16 IST