Describing the FIH’s decision to shift the Champions Trophy out of India as a “big setback”, Sports Minister Ajay Maken said that he would try his best to bring the high—profile event back to the country.
Mr. Maken said he would try to convince the FIH President Leandro Negre when he meets him on September 13 and try to change the world body’s decision.
“It is a big setback for the country. I will try to ensure that the major hockey tournaments allotted to India remain with us and also try to unite the two warring fractions - Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) - yet again, in the larger interest of the game and the country,” Mr. Maken said.
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He also promised that he would ensure that India did not lose hosting rights of any other major hockey tournament in the future.
“My main aim is to see that the Olympic qualifiers should stay with India,” he added.
India is entrusted with the rights to host five international tournaments, including the Olympic qualifiers for both men and women in February next year.
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The International Hockey Federation announced that India will no longer host the 2011 Men’s Champions Trophy due to ongoing problems with the governance of hockey in the country.
Mr. Maken said that his ministry officials would hold a meeting with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), HI and IHF on September 12, a day before he will meet Negre.
Saying that he would like all the three bodies to talk on the same wavelength in front of the FIH chief, the minister said, “I would like the IOA, HI and IHF to say the same things in front of Negre when I meet him on September 13 and present a better and stronger picture of hockey in the country.”