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FIH green nod for WSH only if HI, IHF unite

FIH says it cannot give sanction to the WSH until Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation -- reach an agreement.

New Delhi: Just two days are left for its start but the World Series Hockey continues to remain in a limbo as the FIH today said it cannot give sanction to the lucrative league until the two warring factions – Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation -- reach an agreement.
While appreciating the need for a professional league in the country, FIH president Leandro Negre gave both HI and IHF one month`s time to resolve their issues and unite. "We are acting as a mediator between HI and IHF. We are listening to both the sides and trying to find a solution. We tried our best to reach an agreement and had a very good discussions with both parties," said Negre, who met both HI and IHF office bearers during the just-concluded London Olympic Qualifiers here. "We were very close to reaching a solution but there are very small disputes which need to be sorted out. So, we have given both the parties one month`s time to come together," he said. "But till an agreement is reached, WSH remains an unsanctioned event for us. They still have one month to find a solution and the FIH will do its best to settle the problem," Negre reiterated. Negre said they are not against WSH but the tournament should be held under HI`s aegis to get recognition. "We are not against the concept of WSH. There is need for a strong professional league in India. But we can only sanction tournaments (domestic or international) organised by HI as FIH doesn`t recognise IHF," he maintained. PTI