The Indian men’s hockey team’s selection process leaves a lot to be desired

With the Indian men’s hockey team returning a disappointing performance at the recent World Cup, questions have already been raised over coach Craig Fulton’s role and the continuation of several senior players in the side.

But what has gone unnoticed is the role of selectors; specifically, the ones who selected the team. However, questioning the selectors is easier said than done, given the complete opacity around Hockey India’s selection committee and its workings.

According to the Hockey India website itself, there are 16 selectors that take turns for selection duty besides the chief coaches, scientific advisors / doctors / physiotherapists and the High Performance Director. In reality, the same people have been going around for years.

Consider this: Yuvraj Walmiki and Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, the youngest of the lot, have not been informed or invited for selection duties for almost two years.