Top players who were ignored during KPS Gill’s tenure as IHF chief will be given a chance to prove their worth again, according to new chairman of selection panel Aslam Sher Khan, who says he will adopt ‘an altogether different approach’ to revive Indian hockey.

Aslam, a former player and national selector who had resigned owing to differences with the IHF administration on the  selection process, said he had his own plans to get Indian hockey back on track and will seek to bring transparency and professionalism in the selection process.

“Earlier, there used to be a bunch of 50-60 players and teams were selected as if they are playing musical chairs. There have been instances when a player was selected for an international event despite he not having played even in domestic hockey. This will not happen now and we will select the team after several rounds of trials,” he said on Tuesday.

He also said players like Gagan Ajit Singh, Len Aiyappa and Arjun Halappa, who were sidelined during Gill’s term, would be taken into consideration during team selection.

“For the first time in history, former players are involved in Indian hockey administration. We will try to bring back its old glory. Our first priority will be to make the administration accountable and to bring transparency in team selection process,” Aslam said.

He said he wanted the Indian team to be a united and powerful force.