Making its stance clear on the ‘settlement' between the two hockey bodies in India, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has sought an explanation from Hockey India (HI) as to why it should not withdraw the recognition granted to the National federation.
The FIH has been expressing its displeasure over the ‘settlement' reached between HI and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) with the mediation of the Union Sports Ministry and has withdrawn the Champions Trophy allotted to India.
Even as Ministry sources claimed that the withdrawal of the prestigious tournament could mainly be because of withholding of FIH's ‘dues' (of $500,000) by the Reserve Bank of India, the apex hockey body on Monday made its intentions known by issuing HI a de-recognition threat.
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Meanwhile, officials of the two warring factions, HI and IHF, and the Sports Ministry met here on Monday with the hope of a positive outcome prior to Sports Minister Ajay Maken's meeting with FIH president Leandro Negre here on Tuesday.
A lot will depend on how these bodies present their case before Negre as the FIH chief's interaction with Maken will be crucial as far as the future of running the sport in the country is concerned.