Ranchi, July 1: Hockey India — a new association formed by merging men’s and women’s hockey groups — is on the cards.

Soon, hockey in the state will be managed under one banner, that of Hockey Jharkhand. But merging both the associations is going to be a delicate exercise.

So far, on the basis of performance of players at the international and national levels, the Jharkhand Women’s Hockey Association (JWHA) is way ahead of the men’s group and Ranchi itself has become the centre of women’s hockey.

It has two coaching centres — the Bariatu Girls’ High School and Special Area Games of Sports Authority of India at Birsa Stadium in Morabadi. Of these, the Bariatu centre has produced around 50 girls, who have represented the country at both senior and junior levels.

Former director-general of police and present adviser to the governor, T.P. Sinha is the president of Jharkhand Men’s Hockey Association and Peer Mohammed is the group’s secretary while Mridula Sinha is the president and former international hockey player Savitry Purty is the secretary of the women’s association.

The Jharkhand girls are also bringing more laurels to the state than their male counterparts.

“Hockey Jharkhand will have to be formed. This exercise will probably start after the elections of the Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA). Let’s see how the merger shapes up and what the representation from women’s and men’s sections,” said Purty.

S.M. Hashmi, the general secretary of JOA, seemed to agree. “If there are any disputes we shall try to arrive at an amicable settlement. In that case we will call office-bearers of both the asso- ciations. But if the disputes continue then we will follow the guidelines provided by Indian Olympic Association,” he said.