Tirkey objects after Hockey India secretary general calls October 6 executive committee meeting
Dilip Tirkey has objected to the 120th Executive Committee meeting of Hockey India scheduled for 1200 hrs on October 6, 2026 at the federation's New Delhi office after Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh issued the notice without his prior consultation, an email said. Bhola Nath, who is in Japan, called the meeting to consider issues including elections of the Hockey Association of Odisha and the status of its affiliated units.
While Indian hockey teams are reported to be competing in Japan, infighting within Hockey India has continued, with Tirkey saying the meeting was convened without required approvals and having already filed a police complaint against some HI office-bearers. The notice for the 120th Executive Committee meeting was circulated by the General Secretary and sets the agenda for October 6 at the Hockey India office in New Delhi.
Tirkey raised formal objections over how the meeting was summoned and pointed to previous instances he said lacked consultation. "I do not accord my approval to the proposed 120th Executive Board Meeting in its present form and strongly object to its being convened without the required consultation and prior approval of the President," Tirkey told PTI.
He said an earlier emergent session had been called without his approval and that directed follow-ups remain outstanding. "The 119th Executive Board Meeting, convened as an Emergent Meeting on September 18, was called by the Secretary General without my prior approval or consultation. At the time, I specifically sought certain compliances and responses from the Director General (RK Srivastava) on clearly communicated matters. "Unfortunately, those directions and issues remain unaddressed. Furthermore, I was not present at the said meeting," he added.
The published agenda for October 6 lists consideration of the Electoral Officer's report on the Hockey Association of Odisha annual general body meeting and the election of its executive committee, observations regarding the constitution and status of its affiliated units and consideration of further course of action, if required. The General Secretary's email also states: "To discuss the complaint stated to have been filed by Dr Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India, as known from media/social media reports." "Last week, Tirkey lodged a complaint with Delhi Police against some HI officials, accusing them of 'criminal breach of trust, theft, endangerment of life and wrongful abandonment'."
Tirkey questioned why the Hockey Association of Odisha election had been prioritised at the national body level amid other pending issues. "While elections of State Associations are important matters for the respective associations, I do not understand why the Hockey Odisha Association election has been accorded such priority at the Executive Board level of Hockey India," said the former India captain. "There are several urgent and substantive matters concerning Hockey India that require the immediate attention of the Executive Board and which, in my view, have a direct bearing on the interests and functioning of Hockey India. "Despite this, these pressing issues have not been accorded the same priority, while the Hockey Odisha Association election has been placed prominently on the agenda," he added.
Last month Tirkey removed RK Srivastava's authority and responsibilities with immediate effect on eight charges and issued a show-cause notice. Srivastava was given four weeks to reply to that notice.
