New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has called for an urgent meeting between Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) here Tuesday in the wake of the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) threat of Olympic ban if the issue of governance of the game in the country is not resolved soon.
In its Sep 27 letter to the sports ministry, FIH made it clear that it does not approve of the settlement brokered by the ministry to make HI and the IHF run the sport jointly.
The meeting convened by IOA will discuss the issues raised by FIH and try to work out an amicable solution.
‘I am quite hopeful that, in the interest of the country and the game, the matter will be resolved. All have good of the game and country at heart,’ IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in a statement here Friday.
The FIH has already taken the Champions Trophy from India and the tournament will now be held in New Zealand. India’s participation in the 2012 London Olympics and other international events may also be jeopardised if a solution is not reached.
Malhotra, however, is optimistic that the Olympic qualifier will be held in New Delhi as scheduled and the country’s participation in FIH-sanctioned events will continue unhindered.
‘My optimism is based on my talks with FIH president Leandro Negre here last month, during which I made IOA’s stand very clear on the issues raised by him,’ Malhotra said.
‘IOA is totally committed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter which clearly states only one association for one sport. I told Mr Negre in no uncertain terms that we do not approve of two federations for one game, be it hockey or any other discipline.’
Malhotra was surprised over FIH insisting that there was government interference in the issue.
‘The IOC charter, by which FIH also swears, clearly states that Government should not intervene in the dispute of a federation where the NOC is looking into it,’ Malhotra said.
‘IOA is keenly monitoring the developments relating to hockey and recognises HI is the sole body for the Game, so why does FIH want to involve the Government.’
In the letter, Negre said the sports ministry should advise Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) against proceeding on their ‘settlement’ reached in July. It has said all lawsuits relating to the governance of hockey ‘must be finally resolved and terminated’.
The FIH chief also said his federation only recognises HI as the sole governing body of the sport in India.
