By IANS,
New Delhi : A day after Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) was dissolved by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), efforts were initiated to refurbish the image of the sport.
Newly appointed selection committee chairman Aslam Sher Khan Tuesday met IOA President Suresh Kalmadi and discussed steps to streamline the selection process.
Selection is the first and foremost thing that is being addressed given the selection irregularities during K.P.S Gill’s reign, vesting all powers in the hands of national coach Joaquim Carvalho and rendering national selectors a mere rubber stamps.
Carvalho, who was under tremendous pressure from all sections to resign after the Santiago Olympic qualifier debacle, might be eased out by the new set-up.
“Gill used to have a different selection committee for every tournament and sack them if they did not serve his purpose. Now we will have to bring transparency in the selection process by putting a system in place,” Aslam Sher told IANS.
“After a meeting with Kalmadi Tuesday, the process has been set in motion. Once the team is back from Australia, we will take the support staff’s feedback,” he added.
Aslam Sher said the players, who missed playing for the national side despite being in form, would certainly get a look in.
“There were several players who played well in the domestic competition and did not get picked. They will all get an opportunity.”
Aslam Sher said that new selection committee will soon meet to discuss various issues.
He also said the parliamentarians played a major role in ending Gill’s 15-year-old reign.
“Our stand against IHF was vindicated Monday. The MPs cutting across all party lines have supported our cause and I thank them.”