Ice hockey team cleared 'at no cost to govt'; IOA to bear expenses

NEW DELHI: Indian ice hockey athletes can finally heave a sigh of relief. A week after the TOI reported that their participation in the forthcoming Asian Winter Games in China's Herbin had run into trouble, the sports ministry on Friday sanctioned a 23-member contingent for the Feb 7-14 multisport event following the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) intervention.
The ice hockey contingent will travel at 'no cost to govt'. It's been learnt that IOA has stepped forward to bear their expenses for the journey and has instructed the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) – which it recognises as a national sports federation (NSF) – to ensure that "the team must arrive at the venue at the designated dates".
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The IHAI has already commenced the booking of flight tickets and the players are scheduled to depart for Herbin on Saturday. The team is slated to play its preliminary round matches on Feb 3, 5 and 7 before the commencement of the Games.
Whilst clearing the team, the ministry noted: "The ministry received two separate lists of players of ice hockey discipline from different bodies, neither of which was recognised with this ministry. To ensure the best team comprising the most suitable and fit players represent the country in the Games in public interest, Sports Authority of India (SAI) conducted selection trials and provided a list of 23 players to IOA. However, no effort was made to update the team pursuant to the trials and the final list sent by IOA contained the names of players selected by only one single faction. Whilst the team finalised by IOA may participate in the event, govt funding will not be provided," it added.
The ministry, meanwhile, approved an 88-member contingent for the Games 'at full cost to govt', which included 59 athletes and 29 team officials. "For the first time, full financial support is being extended under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) scheme to athletes competing in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, short track speed skating and speed skating (long track)," the ministry said.