The development came as a surprise as the game has been in the news for all the wrong reasons of late, the bribery scandal involving K Jothikumaran being the latest in the long list of controversies plaguing the Indian Hockey Federation.

After a string of flop shows, men’s hockey was downgraded to the ‘General’ category in June last year and the game plummeted to a new low with the team failing to qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games, which meant India would not feature in Olympics hockey event for the first time since their 1928 debut.

Apart from men’s hockey, football, swimming, basketball, cycling, volleyball, school games and university games were also promoted to the ‘Priority’ category.

Making it clear that the Ministry would not be silent spectator to hockey’s decline, Gill also named Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar Iqbal as Government Observers in the selection committee of the IHF, replacing R S Bhola and Rupa Saini.

Gill’s decision to change the observers comes close on the heels of the sting operation that caught Jothikumaran, who has quit from IHF secretary’s post, accepting money for allegedly inducting a player.

“The re-categorisation of above sports disciplines to higher category will make them eligible for greater international exposure. The games, which have been upgraded from ‘Others’ category to the ‘Priority’ category, will be entitled for an additional benefit of engaging foreign coaches,” the Ministry said in a statement.

On the decision to nominate Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar Iqbal as observers, the statement said they would “oversee, guide and assist the IHF for the promotion and development of hockey. They will also keep close watch on all selection processes.”

Meanwhile, IHF president K P S Gill on Wednesday welcomed the government’s decision to upgrade hockey to ‘Priority’ category, saying it will serve as a big boost to the game.

“We are very happy with the government’s decision to upgrade hockey to the ‘Priority’ list. The mistake has been corrected,” Gill said.

“It will be a shot in the arm for those concerned with hockey. It will help the game,” he said.