Sports Ministry forms seven-member panel to secure future of Hockey India League

The Sports Ministry on October 7, 2026 in New Delhi constituted a seven-member committee to work out the governance structure and the way forward to ensure the continuation of the Hockey India League. The panel will be chaired by R. Vineel Krishna, former Odisha sports secretary and currently joint secretary (Khelo India), as the government’s representative.

The committee’s membership includes Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, secretary general Bholanath Singh and treasurer Sekar J. Manoharan. Three representatives named from HIL franchises are JSW Sports CEO Divyanshu Singh, SG Pipers’ CEO Mahesh Bhupathi and Hyderabad Toofans’ owner Alok Sanghi. The ministry directed the formation to find a resolution to the stalemate and uncertainty surrounding the HIL and to work out governance and financial models for the league.

Sources said the move follows growing friction within Hockey India between president Dilip Tirkey and other officials, including Bholanath Singh. Bholanath reportedly called two consecutive executive board meetings that Tirkey has declared illegal and invalid. It has also been learnt that Tirkey has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the federation’s two most recent EB meetings and the decisions taken at those meetings, including the pending elections.

Sources said the Indian Olympic Association committee constituted to look into allegations of harassment by former captain Asunta Lakra held its first meeting on Wednesday. Mamta Kharab, the one former hockey player nominated in the committee, was not part of Wednesday’s hearing.

Hockey India elections that had been scheduled for November 7 were postponed at the executive board meeting held here on Tuesday. Sources said the vote might now take place by the end of next month or in early December, citing HI rules that mandate a 60-day notice and the unavailability of the appointed electoral officer Sudhir Tripathi.

Fresh dates for the Hockey India elections have yet to be announced, and the seven-member panel has been tasked with framing the governance and financial arrangements intended to secure the league’s continuation.