New Delhi, Jan 25 (Inditop.com) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Monday assured Hockey India that there is no danger to the World Cup scheduled here from Feb 28 to March 13 because of the deferred election to the national body.
HI secretary-general Narendra Batra Monday told reporters that FIH made it clear that the controversy over the HI election will not cast any shadow over the World Cup.
The HI election, scheduled for Feb 7, was put off for the third time Saturday following a stay order from the Rajasthan High Court over the affiliation granted to the state unit Jan 11.
It is now unlikely that an elected national body will be in office before the World Cup, as mandated by the FIH.
Batra said he spoke to FIH chief Leonadro Negre who said the World Cup in India is safe.
“I have spoken to FIH chief Negre and he has assured me that there is no danger to the World Cup because of the deferred election,” Batra said.
“There are some court cases but we hope we will be able to get an elected body in place before the World Cup.”
The FIH had repeatedly said an elected HI is a must before the World Cup, but with the mega event barely a month away, it is unlikely to happen unless the court cases are sorted out.
rounak