Hockey India suspends DG RK Srivastava for jersey change, World Cup defiance
Synopsis
Hockey India's governance is in open crisis: President Dilip Tirkey has suspended Director General Cdr RK Srivastava for changing the national team's jersey without approval, defying travel directives ahead of the World Cup, suppressing harassment committee records, and running roughshod over franchise coordination — all while legends Rani Rampal and Sardar Singh were left uninformed of their own appointments.
Key Takeaways
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey issued a show-cause notice and suspension order to Director General Cdr RK Srivastava on 12 September .
The immediate trigger was Srivastava's unauthorised change of the national team's jersey colours and travelling to the World Cup against explicit presidential orders.
Legends Rani Rampal , Sardar Singh , and Subhadra Pradhan were approved as selectors and junior coaches but were never informed by Srivastava.
Additional charges include non-action against the PR agency , suppression of POSH committee records on allegations against Vikram Pal , and withholding FIH/AHF communications.
Srivastava has been directed to hand over all records, credentials, and assets to a presidential nominee with immediate effect .
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey on Saturday, 12 September issued a show-cause notice to Director General Cdr RK Srivastava, suspending him with immediate effect and directing him to cease all official duties pending a final disciplinary decision under Hockey India Bye-Laws. The action marks a serious governance rupture at the apex body of Indian hockey ahead of a high-stakes international season.
What Triggered the Suspension
The immediate flashpoint, according to the notice, was Srivastava's decision to change the national team's jersey colours without prior consultation or approval from the President's office — a unilateral move with direct visibility implications ahead of the World Cup. Compounding the offence, Srivastava reportedly travelled to the World Cup despite explicit and repeated directions from Tirkey against doing so.
Tirkey had separately cleared Subhadra Pradhan, former India captain Rani Rampal, and hockey legend Sardar Singh as selectors and junior coaches for the travel — none of whom were informed by Srivastava, according to the notice.
Full List of Charges
The show-cause notice catalogues a broader pattern of alleged misconduct beyond the jersey and travel episodes. Specific charges include:
— Non-execution of directed disciplinary action against the contracted PR agency.
— Failure to submit proof of action taken against certain players and chief coach Craig Fulton following reported misdemeanours during the South African tour in December.
— Non-availability of internal POSH committee proceedings and report on allegations against Vikram Pal.
— Withholding communications received from the FIH, AHF, and national federations.
— Arbitrary decisions in franchise coordination related to the Hockey India League (HIL).
The notice warned that 'non-compliance on your part was a direct insult to, and disobedience of, the office of the President, Hockey India.'
What the Order Directs
With immediate effect, Srivastava has been stripped of all powers as Director General and instructed to hand over complete operational charge, including all official records, documents, files, access credentials, assets, and pending matters, to an officer designated in writing by the President's Office. No authority can be exercised on behalf of Hockey India until a final decision is reached in line with the Bye-Laws.
Context and Significance
This is not a routine administrative spat. The charges — ranging from a jersey colour dispute to suppression of harassment committee records — suggest a breakdown of internal governance structures at Hockey India. Notably, the involvement of legends such as Rani Rampal and Sardar Singh in coach-selector roles signals Tirkey's intent to reclaim operational control, but their non-notification reflects the depth of the communication failure alleged against Srivastava. This comes amid Hockey India's ambitious revival of the Hockey India League and India's active World Cup campaign, making the timing particularly sensitive.
Point of View
Which points to systemic governance failure rather than a one-off personality clash. Hockey India is simultaneously trying to revive the Hockey India League and keep India competitive at the World Cup; having its top two officials in open conflict is a distraction the sport can ill afford. The Sports Ministry and the International Hockey Federation will be watching closely — and if the POSH suppression allegation proves well-founded, it raises questions that go well beyond internal hockey politics.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Hockey India suspended DG Cdr RK Srivastava?
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey issued a show-cause notice and suspended Cdr RK Srivastava on 12 September for multiple charges including changing the national team's jersey without approval, travelling to the World Cup against presidential directives, and several other counts of dereliction of duty. All his powers as Director General have been ceased with immediate effect.
What was the jersey controversy that triggered the action?
Cdr Srivastava reportedly changed the colours of the Indian national hockey team's jerseys ahead of the World Cup without seeking prior consultation or clearance from Hockey India's President's office. This unilateral decision was cited as the immediate trigger for disciplinary proceedings.
Who has been named to replace Srivastava's functions?
No permanent replacement has been named. The notice directs Srivastava to hand over all operational charge, records, and assets to an officer designated in writing by the President's Office. Dilip Tirkey had separately approved Subhadra Pradhan, Rani Rampal, and Sardar Singh for selector and junior coach travel roles.
What are the other charges against Cdr Srivastava beyond the jersey issue?
The notice lists non-action against a contracted PR agency, failure to submit proof of disciplinary action against players and chief coach Craig Fulton over the South African tour misdemeanours, non-availability of POSH committee records on allegations against Vikram Pal, withholding FIH and AHF communications, and arbitrary decisions in Hockey India League franchise coordination.
What happens next in the Hockey India disciplinary process?
Srivastava must respond to the show-cause notice. A final decision will be taken in accordance with Hockey India Bye-Laws. Until that decision is reached, he has no authority to act on behalf of Hockey India.
