Hockey India brings Pargat Singh on board, gives development committee charge

Former India captain and a stern critic of Hockey India (HI), Pargat Singh was today appointed chairman of the development committee of HI.

The decision was taken at a governing council meeting of HI in New Delhi which was also attended by Pargat Singhamong other office bearers.

Singh will head a five to seven member committee, which is expected to be in place by December 14 when the HI officials will meet again.

HI secretary general Narinder Batra told PTI that Singh was chosen for the job considering his vast experience and knowledge about the game.

"In today's meeting we discussed many issues. We formed a development committee and named Pargat as its chairman as he is best suited for the job," Batra said.

"The committee will have like-minded five to seven members, both men and women, who will work together for the development of Indian hockey," he said.

The HI secretary also said that the issue of national team coaches and support staff was also broadly discussed in today's meeting and the newly-formed development committee has been authorised to take a call on the matter.

Asked whether national coach Harendra Singh's resignation was discussed in the meeting, Batra said, "Each and everything was discussed but broadly. We only formed a base today.

"I have been asked to personally to talk to everyone, including Harendra. But the committee will be evaluating all the candidates in fray and give their suggestion, which I will take it to Sports Authority of India."

Incidentally, the manner and circumstances under which Harendra had resigned after India lost to Malaysia in the semi-finals of Asian Games has not gone down well with some members of the federation.

The senior men's hockey team is without a coach after the Asian Games where they won the bronze medal. While national coach Harendra had tendered his resignation immediately after India's shocking 3-4 defeat at the hands Malaysia, chief coach Brasa's contract has expired.

Four other team officials - Pradeep Datta (trainer), Shrikant (physio), Clarence Lobo (goalkeeping coach) and SK Naik (team doctor) - were also reported to have jointly resigned from their respective posts.

Batra also hinted at a possible reshuffle in the management of both the men's and women's team.

"We obviously have to re-organise the entire set up because their tenure has ended with the Asian Games. But we will see whom to retain and whom not," Batra said.

"We have to look for best arrangement, we have to look for people who can gel with the team because we hardly have any time in our hand for the Olympic qualifiers. We have to make a roadmap," he added.

Foreign coaches have always had a tumultuous association with Indian hockey but Batra did not rule out the possibility of an overseas candidate taking over the reigns of the team once again.

"If there is a good candidate who can adjust with the players, who can adjust with the Indian system, he or she is welcome because our main aim is to be among the top four hockey playing nations by 2014," he said.