HOCKEY Olympian and World Cup winner Ashok Kumar has criticised and opposed the One State One Unit policy of Hockey India (HI) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) terming it as a career-ruining decision of hundreds of players of the country. In 2020, Hockey India mandated that only one state unit can hold voting and representative rights per state and snatched the recognitions of decades-old associations like Vidarbha Hockey Association and Mumbai Hockey Association. This resulted in players from Vidarbha and Mumbai getting less opportunities to participate directly in national tournaments organised by Hockey India. Ashok Kumar stated that earlier three teams used to get a chance to take part in nationals from a state like Maharastra.

 

“This gave opportunities to more that 50 players to showcase their talents at national levels. However, the One State One Unit decision, ruined careers of many talented players as only 18 from the State could take part in the competition,” said the Arjuna Awardee. “The players used to get maximum exposure which Hockey India took away from them. I can’t understand why such a decision has been taken where maximum participation from one state was maximum. “Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Bharat and Bhopal teams used to participate. It used to benifit only the Indian team where they could select best of the talents. Uttar Pradesh is such a huge state, in area and as well as in population, but has only one team. Such State should have atleast three teams which would give maximum players the opportunity to participate in nationals. “I feel Hockey India should think on this and change its decision.” The former Olympian recollected his days when he played in the city before the Indian team went to play the World Cup. “Nagpur has produced many great players. I have played several tournaments here and the atmosphere was great,” he concluded.