FIH, HI to meet on Nov 12 to discuss Olympic qualifiers

New Delhi: With time running out for India to save the hosting rights of next year`s Olympic qualifiers, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has summoned Hockey India to present its case before the world body`s executive council on November 12.

The FIH has asked HI to appear before its executive board next month to discuss issues related to the game`s governance in the country. India had already paid the price for the long-standing power tussle between HI and Indian Hockey Federation over the governance of the game, with the FIH snatching away the hosting rights of this year`s Champions Trophy. "We have replied to the FIH before their November 1 deadline. We have sent our reply on Saturday. The FIH has now asked us to meet its executive board on November 12 and present our case regarding the de-recognition issue and also discuss matters related to the Olympic qualifiers," said a HI source. "But it is pretty clear that if the recognition issue is not solved, we will also lose the Olympic qualifiers," he said. According to sources, HI will be represented in the meeting by its secretary general Narinder Batra and vice-president Rajeev Mehta. The FIH has already made it clear that it is not in favour of two bodies -- HI and IHF -- running the sport in India as such a move is against its statues and Olympic charter. On its part, the FIH said that it recognises HI as the sole governing body for hockey in India. PTI