New Delhi: Taking first step towards getting
the FIH recognition, Indian Hockey Federation and Indian
Women`s Hockey Federation today merged to form a single body
which will handle the affairs of the game in the country.
The body, which will continue to be known as the Indian
Hockey Federation, would hold its election in the first week
of October.
Hockey India was de-recognised by the government for
non-compliance of guidelines, leaving The KPS Gill-led IHF
the sole representative of the game in the country.
Gill exchanged papers with the IWHF President Atma Ram
during the general and executive body meetings here and
said the amendments to the constitution, required to make the
changes, effective would be passed next month.
"The IHF and the IWHF today merged. But the IHF
constitution needs some amendments to formalise the decision,
which we will be brought during our next meeting to be held
probably on September 9," Gill said at a press conference.
"We also want to hold the election of the Federation in
the first week of October, before the holidays of Dussera.
Till that time two executive committees will jointly look
after all the affairs," Gill added.
The former top cop said that the IHF would apply for the
International Hockey Federation`s recognition once the
election process is over.
"We will apply for the affiliation of the FIH only after
the elections," he said.
Re-recognised by the Sports Ministry, the IHF is trying
to get the approval of the FIH, which still considers Hockey
India as the sole representative for the sport in the country. One of the pre-requisites for getting the FIH recognition
is to have a single body for both men and the women players.
"We are happy to merge with the IHF today. Out of total
33 state units we had 30 units in the meeting and passed the
resolution unanimously. IHF also had the majority of the units
in attendance.”
"We now have to give 21 days of notice before passing the
amendment resolutions required," IWHF General Secretary Amrit
Bose said on the occasion.
"We would also like to involve the former players in the
Federation`s working in order to utilise their experience,"
Bose added.
There is confusion over which body is the official
representative of hockey in India as both HI and IHF have
staked their claims.
While IHF has promised to comply with Sports Ministry`s
age and tenure-limitation guidelines and has the government`s
backing, HI enjoys FIH`s support.
Asked about the confusion, Bose claimed, "Now IHF is the
sole representative in India and the HI is only a private
body. Only a national federation can take decision regarding
the national team and HI has no power now."
The Delhi High Court had recently said the government
should not associate itself with the HI elections as it is a
private body and held that the IHF is the only recognised body
for the sport in the country.
Gill, however, said they would not intervene into the
working of the current national selection panel.
"We will not interfere into their works. The national
selectors would pick the India team," he said.
"Now we are seeing some of the familiar faces who were
missing during the last couple of years. Now there is no
Hockey India, only the `Hock India`," Gill signed off.
PTI
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