The power struggle within Hockey India took another turn on Tuesday after president Dilip Tirkey questioned the validity of an Emergent Executive Committee Meeting called by secretary Bhola Nath Singh for September 18.
The proposed meeting was intended to address the growing differences within the federation and discuss changes to the Hockey India League, including the creation of an independent Governing Council to oversee the competition.
The relationship between Tirkey and Bhola Nath has been strained for some time, with the dispute over the Indian teams’ jersey colour adding to the tensions.
India’s switch from its traditional blue to saffron jerseys ahead of the recently concluded FIH World Cup was made without Tirkey’s knowledge or the approval of the Hockey India Executive Board, according to the president.
The controversy led Tirkey to issue a show-cause notice to Hockey India Director General Cdr R K Srivastava. He also removed Srivastava from all his responsibilities with immediate effect and listed eight charges against him, with the jersey colour change featuring prominently among them.
With Srivastava given four weeks to respond to the notice, Bhola Nath subsequently moved to convene an emergent Executive Board Meeting on September 18.
“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,” Bhola Nath wrote in an e-mail to Executive Board members, a copy of which is in possession of PTI.
However, Tirkey has now challenged the secretary’s authority to call such a meeting. In his response on Tuesday, the Hockey India president maintained that the power to convene an emergency meeting rests solely with the federation’s chief and not the secretary.
“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,” Tirkey wrote in his mail to Bhola Nath and Executive Board members.
“Also be informed, I am very clear in my direction to you in my earlier communications unless the DG submits his explanation, no EB meeting will be held.
“Once again, I request you to refrain from disobeying the Chair of President Hockey India and instead spreading your own decisions and judgments to the other members and creating confusion. The action taken by me are purely for the betterment of hockey, instead of any betterment of some individual and their personal interest,” he further wrote.
The proposed meeting was also expected to take up the future of the Hockey India League, including plans for both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The latest developments came a day after Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met Tirkey and representatives of HIL franchises on Monday. The meeting focused on finding a way forward for the league, with a five-member panel tasked with preparing a roadmap covering its governance and financial structure.
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