National Sports Day was marked in nearly 500 districts with grassroots initiatives and hockey activities to honour the “Wizard of Hockey.” A special tribute was also paid during the pre-match ceremony of the Asia Cup opener in Rajgir featuring Malaysia and Bangladesh.
File Photo
On the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, celebrated nationwide as National Sports Day, Hockey India reaffirmed its commitment to good governance and the growth of the sport by rolling out a set of athlete-centric e-reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and professionalism across all levels.
National Sports Day was marked in nearly 500 districts with grassroots initiatives and hockey activities to honour the “Wizard of Hockey.” A special tribute was also paid during the pre-match ceremony of the Asia Cup opener in Rajgir featuring Malaysia and Bangladesh. The dignitaries in attendance included Fumio Ogura, President of the Asian Hockey Federation, Raveendran Sankaran, Director General of the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), Jitendra Rana, IPS, Dilip Kumar Tirkey, President, Hockey India, Bhola Nath Singh, Vice President, Asian Hockey Federation and Secretary General, Hockey India; Sekar J Manoharan, Treasurer, Hockey India; and Commander R.K. Srivastava, Director General, Hockey India.
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Key reforms include the launch of digital ID cards for players, simplifying registration and verification while ensuring transparency across the domestic circuit. These ID cards, available directly from the Hockey India Member Units Portal, cut paperwork and follow a streamlined Aadhaar-like model.
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In addition, Hockey India has integrated with DigiLocker, allowing athletes to access certificates from past National Championships, easing processes like college admissions and job applications.
The newly-introduced Athlete Management System (AMS) will track player performance, manage tournament data, and monitor development across all age groups. Integrated with wearable technology, AMS enables data-driven monitoring of training load, injuries, wellness, and recovery.
Senior men’s and women’s core players will also use wristbands that track sleep patterns, stress levels, and recovery status.
“There were certain setbacks that were brought to our attention during the National Championships, particularly around monitoring player movements across states or academies,” said Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India chief.
“Issuing digital ID cards and ensuring full registration through the Hockey India Player Portal was essential to address these issues. Our DigiLocker integration adds another layer of ease for athletes while securing their records long-term. All of these initiatives underline our commitment to transparency, efficiency, and our athlete-first approach,” he added.
To strengthen grassroots governance, Hockey India has expanded its Member Units Portal to district-level compliance. The federation also announced a ₹2 lakh grant for unemployed national team players.
“This initiative is close to my heart,” said Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General, Hockey India. “It not only supports players financially but also sends a clear message that the federation is here to back athletes and provide them with a platform to pursue their dreams without fear or financial distress. Our long-term goal is to build a player-driven ecosystem.”
Welcoming the passage of the National Sports Governance Act 2025, Hockey India called it a landmark moment, aligning with its own framework of transparency, athlete representation, gender equality, safe sport, and anti-doping measures.
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