Hockey India has rejected the allegations made by former women's team coach Janneke Schopman and outgoing CEO Elena Norman regarding differential treatment and division within the organisation. Both Schopman and Norman departed from Hockey India recently after expressing their concerns.
Hockey India dismisses allegations
In a joint statement issued by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, the governing body stated that the allegations are unfounded. Hockey India emphasised its unity in striving for the improvement of the sport and asserted that all players and teams have been treated equally.
"Recently there have been statements by outgoing officials published in the media, claiming that there are divisions within the organisation. This is not correct. We remain united in working together, and as always in the best interest of the sport."
"The Federation has treated the teams and all players equally with equal benefits and training facilities, including cash awards and monetary recognition that is at-par and is purely based on performance. We have built our ethos around equity and equal opportunities right from the grassroots levels across states as well as on a national level."
"We now seek the ongoing support of ardent hockey fans to continue to back what is important - the teams and the players like they have always done in this important year. And we look forward to keep our entire focus on the task at hand," read the statement.
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What were Schopman and Norman's allegations?
Schopman claimed she experienced unequal treatment from the sport's administrators in India and felt isolated since becoming head coach. She announced her resignation shortly after making these remarks. Norman, on the other hand, informed PTI that there were two opposing groups within Hockey India, creating a suffocating atmosphere.
"Absolutely, it was getting tough to deliver in the fight between two factions. The environment was becoming suffocating," Norman told PTI in an interview.
"There are two factions in Hockey India. There is (President) Dilip Tirkey and I and there is (Secretary) Bholanath Singh, (Executive Director) Cdr. R K Srivastava and (Treasurer) Sekar J Manoharan," she said.
"There are guys who want power and then there is (HI President) Dilip (Tirkey) who is a nice guy, only after betterment of Indian hockey," the 49-year-old explained.
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