It refers to information ultimately provided by Hockey India subsequent to CIC-verdict that as many as 10917 complimentary tickets were issued by Hockey India for 35th Hero Men Championship Trophy played at Bhubaneshwar in the year 2014 for multiple matches played during eight days further informing that 22935 tickets remained unsold for the trohy-matches. Hockey India also informed that 6030 complimentary tickets were distributed for each of semi-final and final matches played under Hockey India league respectively on 21.02.2015 and 22.02.2015. Hockey India also informed that
It is beyond understanding why Hockey India withheld the simple information for so long, and instead spent heavily in terms of man-hours in dealing with RTI application, First Appeal under RTI Act and then Central Information Commission by spending heavily on fees of lawyers before ultimately providing the information. It is noteworthy that Hockey India has already obtained a stay-order from Delhi High Court on CIC-verdict directing disclosure of information on details of legal expenses and commission paid in getting sponsors of matches that too at a time when most of the sponsors are public-sector-undertakings.
It is now clear that Hockley India is badly mismanaged in all aspects including fund-management and promotion of Hockey to restore India as world-champion. Union Ministry of Sports should instead stop all financial grant to Hockey India because of funds being spent on paying to individual or private companies in form of legal-fees and commissions, rather than promoting Hockey in the country. Instead a separate wing may be formed in Union Ministry of sports for promotion of Hockey, which will be spending on legal-fees and commissions as per norms set by Union government rather than decided by office-bearers of Hockey India.
SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL