Indian players likely to get WSH clearance

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has given the two warring factions, Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), a month’s time to sort out their differences over power sharing and form a unified body.

After two days of discussions with HI officials KPS Gill (former IHF president and now its adviser), his team, and FIH president Leandro Negre said the warring factions must merge within a month.

“We had fruitful talks for the last two days. We have given them a month’s time to put a seal on the merger agreement. After a month, I will visit India again and then we will sit down with HI and IHF to find a solution,” Negre said in New Delhi on Sunday.

During the meeting, FIH asked IHF and HI to stop taking potshots at each other through the media. “We have asked both the parties to stop the verbal spats. It is time for serious discussions because a unified body is a must for better administration of the game in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Indian players might be given the nod to participate in the inaugural World Series Hockey (WSH), which begins on Wednesday. Sources said the parties involved have agreed in principle to allow the players to take part in the franchisee-based tournament. A meeting was going on till late on Sunday night at KPS Gill’s residence in New Delhi to discuss the issue. “HI is expected to let the players decide but they are unlikely to impose any sanctions. If there are any national commitments, the players will be released,” said the source.

IHF president RK Shetty said: “The FIH president had anyway said the players who have signed the contract on or before March 30, 2010, will be allowed to play. So there is no question of imposing any sanctions on the players.”