New Delhi: The International Hockey Federation today said that ego clash and political differences within the state bodies were behind the delay in the Hockey India elections and the poll process has to be completed by May 31 to avoid suspension from the world association.
FIH president Leandro Negre said India was the only
nation in world hockey which does not have an elected body
comprising men's and women's wing under one roof.
"Earlier, we were not consistent with our deadlines
because there were different issues, including High Court stay
order, but now we are in a much better position. In the last
two weeks during the World Cup we approached the states to
solve the problems and come out with a compromise formula.
Some of them have been fixed and some promised us it will be
done," Negre told reporters.
"There are only ego problems and political differences
that can be avoided. The FIH has really put a lot of energy
and time on these issues but now we have have to be strong. We
have to pass on a clear message to all these tricky people
that it is the final deadline. If a couple of states remain we
will ask HI to set up the federation with the rest and solve
the other issues later.
"We have 128 affiliated nations under FIH and India is
the only country in the world which does not have a merged
elected body of men and women," he added. The FIH chief said although he was happy with the way the
Hero Honda FIH World Cup was organised here, it could have
been a smooth affair if an elected national federation was in
place in India.
"If a strong federation was there, it would have been
easier for us to run the World Cup. We conducted the World Cup
in joint venture with the Indian Olympic Association. But I am
happy because the final result is good," Negre said.
"But the FIH is very glad with the fantastic organisation
of the World Cup. Our expectation behind giving the World Cup
to India has been achieved."
The FIH president also said that he was happy with
India's performance in the World Cup even though the home team
won only one match in the tournament and finished on a lowly
eighth position, three places better that last edition of the
event in Monchengladbach, Germany.
"I was following India from the last World Cup. It's true
they have won only one match similar to last World Cup but
they have made big improvement in their performance. You can't
change things in one night. Jose Brasa started coaching the
team just seven-eight months back and in such short time, one
can't expect miracles," Negre said.
"But the team needs to be consistent. What I feel is that
they are making little mistakes and lack in concentration. In
this World Cup, there is very little gap between all the
teams."
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 19:41