Peeved by the FIH’s stand to recognise Hockey India (HI), the Sports Ministry on Monday maintained that HI had no right to select teams as it was a “private body” and that IHF should be given time to be fully compliant with world governing body’s guidelines.
The ministry also asked the FIH not to deal with HI any more as it has lost its national character and allow the IOA or the Sports Authority of India to field the Indian team for international events till the issue was resolved.
In a letter addressed to FIH president Leandro Negre, joint secretary Injeti Srinivas said Hockey India (HI) is just a private body now and doesn’t have the rights to select the team for international competitions.
“HI has lost its national character and therefore cannot be allowed to select or field the national team anymore. We, therefore, once again request FIH to reconsider their decision and allow the IOA or the Sports Authority to field the Indian team in international competitions recognised by FIH, pending IHF becoming fully compliant with and gaining the recognition of FIH,” Srinivas said in his letter.
Srinivas assured Mr. Negre that IHF and IWHF will soon amalgamate into a single society and will be fully compliant with the governing body’s charter, after which the K.P.S. Gill-led body will approach FIH for recognition.
“We fully appreciate and respect the statute of FIH, and there is no question of the Government compelling FIH to act in violation of their statute. Our letter dated August 6th, 2010 clearly states that IHF and IWHF have been asked to amalgamate into a single society in accordance with the provisions of the society Registration Act, 1860,” he said.
“This is a legal process that takes a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks. Once they complete this, they would become compliant with the requirements of FIH and only then, would they approach FIH for recognition”, the letter said.
