NEW DELHI: Serious allegations have been made against Mr. Harjinder Singh, the General Secretary of the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI), regarding the misuse of his position, mismanagement of resources, and undermining of the organization’s democratic processes.
In a formal complaint submitted to the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Singh has been accused of monopolizing decision-making processes within IHAI, sidelining state associations, and running the organization unilaterally for over a decade. Despite his prolonged tenure, other members of the association have reportedly been rendered inactive, raising concerns about his alleged “dictatorship” over the functioning of the body.
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One of the primary issues highlighted is the lack of transparency in player selection for international championships. The complaint states that Mr Singh has been selecting players from his office without conducting formal selection trials, leading to questions about the credibility of the process.
Mr Singh has reportedly approached the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and the Union Territory Administration multiple times for funds to support international championships. However, the complaint alleges that he falsely claimed these funds as personal contributions. Additionally, concerns have been raised about delays in issuing National Participation certificates to athletes, the reasons for which remain unclear.
The Ladakh Winter Sports Club and the Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh, which have been pivotal in promoting winter sports in the region for over 30 years, have accused Mr Singh of taking undue credit for their efforts. These organizations have been instrumental in building the national ice hockey team, with 90% of the players reportedly hailing from Ladakh.
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Enclosed with the complaint are letters from Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, Advisor to the Chief Secretary, and the Deputy Chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh. These documents highlight issues of fund mismanagement, coercion of players to represent private entities, and mismanagement in the promotion of ice hockey in India.
The complainants have urged the government to ensure that future national ice hockey championships are organized under the aegis of the newly registered and recognized Ice Hockey Federation of India (IHFI). They argue that this move will improve the sport’s governance through greater transparency, accountability, and democratic functioning.
The allegations against Mr. Singh have sparked outrage within the ice hockey community, with many demanding immediate intervention from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to address the grievances and ensure fair governance.
