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Hockey India Faces Leadership Clash Over Jersey and League Restructuring
Hockey India’s top officials are disagreeing about how the organization should be run.
President Dilip Tirkey says India’s jersey was changed from blue to saffron without his approval.
He also issued a notice to Director General R K Srivastava and removed his powers temporarily.
Secretary Bhola Nath Singh called a meeting to discuss these issues.
Tirkey says only the president can call an emergency meeting under Hockey India’s rules.
The meeting is planned for September 18 in New Delhi.
Officials will also discuss changing how the Hockey India League is managed.
Franchise owners could receive a formal role in running the league.
Hockey India also plans to discuss elections and upcoming tournaments.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh are embroiled in a governance dispute.
The conflict intensified after India’s team jersey was changed from blue to saffron without Tirkey’s stated approval.
An emergent Executive Board meeting is scheduled for September 18 in New Delhi to address the dispute and other matters.
Officials and franchise owners are considering restructuring the Hockey India League as a joint venture with a separate governing body.
The meeting is also expected to discuss elections, financial accounts, Asian Champions Trophy hosting, and a notice against Director General R K Srivastava.
- Who
- Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, Director General R K Srivastava, Executive Board members, and Hockey India League franchise owners.
- What
- An internal leadership dispute is being taken up alongside proposals to restructure the Hockey India League and discuss elections and other federation matters.
- Where
- The meeting is scheduled at the Hockey India office in New Delhi. Proposed Asian Champions Trophy venues include Jalandhar, Mohali, and Bhopal.
- When
- The emergent Executive Board meeting is scheduled for September 18, 2026; related correspondence and a legal notice were dated September 14 and September 12, respectively.
- Why
- The meeting is intended to address the leadership conflict, the jersey change, the Director General’s notice, Hockey India League governance, elections, and other operational issues.
President’s Position
Secretary and Franchise Position
Authority to call the meeting
President’s Position
Dilip Tirkey says Hockey India’s bylaws give only the president authority to call an emergency meeting and says no meeting should occur before the Director General responds.
Secretary and Franchise Position
Bhola Nath Singh circulated the notice for the emergent Executive Board meeting and proceeded with the scheduled discussion.
Jersey change and accountability
President’s Position
Tirkey says the change from blue to saffron was unauthorized and issued a show-cause notice to Director General R K Srivastava, removing his powers immediately.
Secretary and Franchise Position
The secretary’s meeting agenda includes discussion and a decision on Tirkey’s legal notice, as well as alleged leaks of confidential Hockey India information.
Hockey India League governance
President’s Position
Hockey India’s existing role is reflected in the proposal for a joint venture retaining 40% equity and two seats on a new governing council.
Secretary and Franchise Position
Franchise owners have sought a greater role, with the proposed structure giving them 60% equity and two representatives from each franchise on the governing council.
Key facts
- Meeting
- Emergent 119th Hockey India Executive Board meeting scheduled for September 18, 2026, at 3 p.m.
- Leadership dispute
- President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh disagree over governance and the authority to call an emergency meeting.
- Jersey controversy
- The Indian team jersey reportedly changed from blue to saffron; Tirkey said the change lacked his knowledge and Executive Board approval.
- Director General action
- Tirkey issued R K Srivastava a show-cause notice listing eight charges and gave him four weeks to respond.
- League proposal
- The Hockey India League could become a joint venture with 40% equity for Hockey India and 60% for franchise owners.
- Governing Council proposal
- A proposed council would include a chairman and two Hockey India members, plus two representatives from each franchise.
- Other agenda items
- The meeting may address Hockey India elections, financial statements for 2025–2026, Asian Champions Trophy hosting, and alleged information leaks.
Quotes
Bhola Nath Singh
Hockey India secretary who convened the emergent Executive Board meeting
“On the advice/direction of the Hockey India President, Dr Dilip Tirkey, received via email dated 14.09.2026, the Emergent - 119th Executive Board Meeting of Hockey India will be held at 15:00 hrs on 18.09.2026 at the Hockey India Office, New Delhi,”
rediff.com
“With reference to your email, please be informed that the by-law, as approved by HI on 20th June 2026, clearly states in the clause(16.4.2 ) that only the President can call an emergency meeting, not the Secretary General,”
rediff.com
Sources
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