By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian hockey has something to cheer with the government Wednesday bringing it back to the “Priority” category.
Hockey was taken out of the “Priority” list and put in “General” category following the team’s poor performance, leading to its failure to win a medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has recategorised eight sports disciplines and has upgraded them to the highest category of “Priority Category.”
Hockey, Swimming and Basketball and School Games have been promoted to “Priority” from “General” category, according to an official statement.
The promotion of hockey comes at a time when the sport is in a turmoil following the bribery scandal and when the the morale of the team is at an all-time low after failing to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.
Football, Cycling and Volleyball have also been promoted to “Priority” list from “Others.”
“The recategorised sports disciplines will be eligible for greater international exposure. For the games, which have been upgraded from “Others” category to “Priority” category can now engage foreign coaches,” the release said.