Hockey India President strips Director General of powers

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey has stripped Director General R.K. Srivastava of all his powers and issued a show-cause notice, escalating an internal power struggle within the national sports federation. The notice, sent via legal counsel on Saturday, September 12, 2026, directs Srivastava to immediately cease all functions and authority pending a decision under Hockey India's bye-laws. The notice alleges eight specific instances of non-compliance and dereliction of duty. Among the primary charges is the arbitrary change of the Indian national team's playing jersey from the traditional blue to orange ahead of the recent World Cup, a decision made without prior consultation or clearance from the president or the Executive Committee. Another major charge concerns Srivastava's travel to the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium despite explicit and repeated directions from Tirkey to remain in India for Hockey India League coordination and other priority work. The notice states that while the president had approved specific selectors and coaches, including Subhadra Pradhan, Rani Rampal, and Sardar Singh, for institutional duties at the World Cup, none were informed or sent.