Adhere to govt guidelines for polls: Sports Min to IHF

New Delhi: With the Indian Hockey Federation scheduled to conduct its polls on October 3, the Sports Ministry has reminded the KPS Gill-led body to abide by the governments guidelines to be recognised as a National Sports Federation.

In a letter to the IHF president, dated September 17, Director in the Sports Ministry Deepika Kachhal said the Federation must ensure that government`s basic principles are followed while holding the elections of office bearers. "Please note that failure to follow the government guidelines will have impact upon the recognition of IHF as the National Sports Federation (NSF)," the letter said. The ministry said an independent returning officer, preferably a retired High Court Judge, should be appointed in order to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. "There should be a clear election schedule spelling out date of filing of nominations, withdrawal of nominations and scrutiny of nominations, publication of list of candidates, date of elections etc.”"There should be a clear and transparent voter list which will form the electoral college. The elections should be held through secret ballot," Kachhal said in the letter. The ministry has also asked the IHF to intimate them the detailed schedule of election process. Kachhal also brought to Gill`s notice that the government has still not received any information regarding the necessary changes required in the constitution of IHF after it merged with the Indian Women`s Hockey Federation (IWHF). "IHF, vide its letter dated 5th August 2010 had confirmed that all government guidelines are acceptable. This reply was accepted by the Ministry subject to the amalgamation of IHF and IWHF in accordance with the provisions contained in the Societies Registration Act 1860 and necessary amendments in the constitution of the amalgamated society so as to make it fully compliant with the government guidelines." Kachhal said."While we are yet to receive any intimation about necessary changes having been carried out in constitution of the amalgamated society," she said. PTI