NEW DELHI: The 9th Asian Winter Games, set to take place in Harbin, China, from February 7-14, 2025, should have been a landmark event for Indian ice hockey. Instead, the sport is in disarray due to allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and biased practices by the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI), led by Secretary General Harjinder Singh Jindi. This turmoil not only threatens India’s representation at the games but also exposes deeper issues within the organization.
The controversy centres on the IHAI’s alleged lack of transparency in selecting the team. Without open trials or proper notifications to affiliated clubs and states, the association reportedly submitted a team list to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Players from Ladakh, who make up 90% of India’s ice hockey talent and infrastructure, were notably excluded. This has sparked outrage from stakeholders, including the Ice Hockey Association of Kargil and Ladakh Winter Sports Club, who accuse the IHAI of nepotism and bias.
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In response to these complaints, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports intervened, rejecting the IHAI’s team list and announcing fresh trials in Leh on January 24, 2025. The trials, held at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex, were supported by the Ladakh Administration. However, reports emerged of harassment and intimidation of athletes by IHAI officials. Intervention from the Ladakh Police ensured that players were ultimately allowed to compete.
The conflict has escalated into a broader clash between the IHAI and the Sports Ministry. The IOA, initially misled by IHAI, backed the association’s list. However, the ministry refused to budge, emphasizing fairness and adherence to proper guidelines. Meanwhile, the Ladakh-based Ice Hockey Federation of India (IHFI) has called for recognition as the national governing body for the sport, citing IHAI’s repeated failures in promoting ice hockey and representing Ladakhi players.
Harjinder Singh Jindi, who has served as Secretary General for over a decade, faces serious allegations, including nepotism, misuse of funds, and coercion of players. He is accused of selecting players without trials, misrepresenting government funds as personal contributions, and forcing athletes to play under private entities rather than representing Ladakh or India.
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Stakeholders, including Dr Pawan Kotwal, Chief Secretary of the Ladakh Administration, and Mohammad Yasin Sabri, General Secretary of the Ice Hockey Association of Kargil, have called for urgent reforms. Recommendations include the formation of an interim ad hoc committee to oversee the sport until structural changes are implemented.
This crisis highlights the failure of IHAI to nurture ice hockey in India, despite substantial government investment and Ladakh’s natural advantages as a winter sports hub. It also raises questions about the IOA’s credibility, given its initial support of IHAI’s controversial decisions.
To ensure a brighter future for Indian ice hockey, the following steps are crucial:
- Recognition of IHFI: Acknowledge the Ladakh-based IHFI as the national governing body.
- Transparent Trials: Mandate open selection processes with clear guidelines.
- Accountability: Investigate allegations against Harjinder Singh Jindi and hold him accountable.
- Independent Oversight: Establish a temporary committee to manage the sport and rebuild trust.
The passion and resilience of Ladakhi youth, who have kept ice hockey alive despite challenges, deserve recognition. For India to succeed on the international stage, transparency and fairness in sports governance are essential. The government must act decisively to restore credibility and ensure a level playing field for all.