CGF seeks advice on Indian hockey team’s participation in CWG

New Delhi: The Commonwealth Games Federation has written a letter to FIH seeking advice on the Indian Hockey team’s participation in the Commonwealth Games in the wake of the dispute over which NSF should get the recognition.

The Sports Ministry and the FIH have been at loggerheads with the world’s governing body refusing to de-recognise Hockey India while the Ministry maintained that it was a private body and could not be granted recognition. With the stalemate persisting, the Commonwealth Games Federation is learnt to have sort a clarification from the FIH on the issue of India’s participation in the October 3-14 mega-event. According to sources, CGF CEO Mike Hooper has written the letter but it could not be immediately confirmed. Hooper could not be reached for comments, while FIH Communications Manager Arjen Meijer told reporters: “I have no comments to make. I have nothing to offer. Thanks.” The International Hockey Federation (FIH) yesterday made it clear to the Sports ministry that HI remained the sole recognised body for running the sport in the country as it was satisfied with HI’s compliance with its charter. The Ministry shot back a letter saying HI had lost its national character and therefore can not be allowed to select or field the national team anymore. In a letter dated August 7, 2010, FIH president Leandro Negre said that HI was formed after consulting with the sport ministry and the IOA and it has complied with the governing body’s guidelines. “At the outset we reiterate that we have already recognised Hockey India as a recognised body for the management, control and promotion for hockey in India, duly recognised by the IOA, based on the Olympic Movement/Charter and FIH statues,” Negre said in his letter to the Sports Ministry. “Hockey India had complied with all the requirements of FIH except elections. On 5 August 2010 Hockey India elections were conducted by a retired High Court Judge, IOA observer and in presence of FIH observer Mr Antonio Von Ondarza and we have noted this compliance on part of Hockey India and is satisfied with this compliance,” he added. Negre said FIH was “shocked” that despite Indian Hockey Federation’s (IHF) non-compliance with its statutes, the Sport Ministry was asking it to recognised IHF. “Strangely enough in the letter addressed to us you are calling upon us to recognise IHF which was de-recognised by us back in 2000,” he said. In its reply, the ministry 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. PTI