Did FIH do a volte-face on June letter to IHF?

Mumbai: Less than three months after asking the Indian Hockey Federation to exhibit patience and await the government`s process in solving the differences between IHF and its rival Hockey India (HI), the International Hockey Federation (FIH) appears to have pulled the plug on the move.

FIH had yesterday withdrawn the Champions Trophy from India "to maintain the integrity" of hockey. But in a reply on June 21 to IHF`s missive, the FIH asked the former to wait for the outcome of the government`s process, it was learnt. "We have received the Statement of Case and exhibits prepared by you on behalf of the Indian Hockey Federation, seeking a declaration that the FIH is not entitled to recognise Hockey India as its member for India, rather your client is the only body entitled to recognition as the member of the FIH for India," FIH`s CEO Kelly Fairweather had written to IHF`s lawyers. "We understand that the Indian Government is currently in the middle of trying to broker a settlement of all outstanding differences between Hockey India and the IHF, including vis-a-vis the FIH. Indeed, this process is expressly envisaged and called for in paragraph 8 of the Court Order dated 27.07.2010 exhibited to your Statement of Case.” "We do not wish that process to be interfered with or disturbed in any way; nor do we want to spend time or resources on issues that may shortly become moot. We will therefore hold the Statement of Case in abeyance pending notice from Hockey India, the Indian Government and/or yourselves as to the outcome of the current settlement process," the letter from FIH to IHF said. PTI