Another AGM in just three months raises questions over Hockey Association of Odisha’s functioning
Bhubaneswar, September 18, 2026: In what Hockey Odisha office-bearers describe as an extraordinary development, the Hockey Association of Odisha (HAO) has called another Annual General Body meeting barely three-and-a-half months after its previous AGM, raising fresh questions over the functioning, intent, transparency and governance of the organisation.
The previous AGM of HAO was held on June 18, 2026. The association has now issued a fresh notice dated September 13, calling its Annual General Body Meeting and election of office-bearers and Executive Committee members on October 3, 2026 at the Tennis Auditorium, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
Reacting strongly to the development, Hockey Odisha General Secretary Pratap Satpathy said the sequence of events was exposing what he described as a deeper pattern of manipulation within the state’s hockey administration.
“This is a multi-layered deceit and manipulation which is now unravelling itself. Holding another AGM barely three months after the previous one raises fundamental questions about the style, intent, transparency and ethics of the organisation. Why was a fresh AGM required so soon? What has changed between June and September? These are questions that HAO must answer,” Satpathy said.
The June 18 AGM had already listed the election of the Executive Committee as an agenda item. The proceedings indicated that the election process would be completed by July. However, the election did not take place within that stated timeframe. The latest notice now schedules the election for October 3.
The new AGM notice lists presentation of the annual report, presentation and passing of the audited accounts for 2025-26, the budget for 2026-27 and the annual action plan, followed by the general election to the Executive Committee.
“The sequence is becoming increasingly difficult to explain. First there was an AGM, then a commitment to complete the election by July, followed by a delayed election process and now another AGM. At the same time, serious questions have been raised about the accounts and the constitution of the electoral college. This cannot be brushed aside as routine administration,” Satpathy said.
He also questioned the larger role of Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey in the affairs of Odisha hockey and reiterated his demand for government intervention.
“The attempt to control hockey in Odisha through a questionable structure is now being exposed layer by layer. We have consistently demanded transparency and an examination of the legality of this body. The Government must step in, examine the entire process and protect the interests of Odisha’s players, coaches and hockey community,” Satpathy said.
He urged the Odisha Government to examine the constitution and functioning of HAO, including its financial proceedings, electoral college and repeated changes in its election schedule, and take appropriate action in accordance with law.
