Shiva Keshavan is well-known in India for winter sports. But, the women’s ice hockey team has made a big impact. They won a bronze medal at the IIHF Women’s Asia Cup, making headlines across the country.
Before the big win, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) made a confusing decision. They approved the Ice Hockey Federation of India (IHFI) as a National Sports Promotion Organisation (NSPO). This was despite the fact that the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) was already doing the job.
The IHAI had guided the women’s team to their victory in the UAE. But, the MYAS’s decision has caused a lot of trouble.
historic win that put India’s women’s ice hockey team on the map
MYAS has not made any official statement about this issue. This has led to a lot of confusion and conflict.
The IHAI has been the face of ice hockey in India since 1989. It is a full member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). In 2012, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recognized IHAI as its member unit.
Harjinder Singh, the general secretary of IHAI, is also on the IIHF Asia Committee. He was India’s Chef de Mission at the 2022 Winter Olympics. The current president of IHAI is Gurpreet Singh Bakshi.
The IHFI was started in July 2022. It is led by former MP Jamtang Tsering Namgyal. In May 2025, the sports ministry recognized it as an NSPO, creating a parallel structure.
The IHFI claims to be the official authority for ice hockey in India. This has upset the IHAI, which is waiting to see what happens next.
The main problem is that there are two NSPOs fighting for the same sport. Harjinder Singh is still the main contact for the government. Recently, a notice from the Khelo India Directorate was sent to IHAI, not IHFI, for a meeting.
Namgyal believes IHFI will soon take control. But, IHFI has not yet been recognized by the IOA and IIHF, which is a big obstacle.
The players are the real victims in this fight. NSPOs don’t automatically get funding, so teams have to find their own resources.
The women’s Asia Cup team had to get a loan from ‘IAMGAME’ to travel. Both men’s and women’s teams often use crowdfunding to buy equipment and enter tournaments.
IHAI is planning to apply for NSF status, which could bring financial support. But, this means they need to hold elections, which they last did in 2018.
Without NSF recognition, players face many challenges. For example, IHFI has criticized IHAI’s selection process as unclear.
India has only one Olympic-size rink, in Dehradun. The other two in Leh and Kargil are still unfinished.
This situation needs clear answers. Which NSPO will state units work with? Which state associations are officially recognized? These questions are urgent.
In the chaos, IHAI and the IOA have started working again at the Dehradun rink. It’s a rare positive in this situation. No matter who wins, it’s important that player benefits stay out of politics.
