Leondro Negre: “Will talk to IHF only with conditions hereafter
FIH President Leondro Negre is obviously frustrated over the fact that the tussle between two factions of Indian hockey eludes a compromise despite he is talking to IHF on freewheeling type on several times. Hereafter, he says, will engage into dialogue with the IHF only on certain conditions. The visiting dignitary talks freely on many other issues with Shashank Gupta.

“We want to have tournaments in cities other than capital of the country,” said FIH President Leonardo Negre, in an exclusive chat with stick2hockey.com. Emphasizing that the decision resides with Hockey India, Negre told this website that whenever you hold a sport outside the capital city that is when you build the spectator base for that game.

“This is true for any game, any country. This is what we advised Hockey India. For example, holding an international tournament in Chandigarh will be fantastic and the number of spectators will surely increase,” he asserted.

Visully delighted on witnessing the minnows Fiji scoring a goal in the ongoing Hero Hockey World League Round 2 – this was 71-ranked Fiji’s first goal in the tournament – Negre made his point:

“That is how Hockey gets promoted. This goal will have a lot of importance for Fijian fans, back in Fiji. It doesn’t matter if spectators are not there but we have to open the door to everyone to make it to the higher levels. In this tournament, everyone can start from the beginning.”

Talking about the tussle between Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), the FIH President seemed to be running out of time and patience.

“This is my 16th visit to India and I have met officials from IHF each time. At times we were close, we made a number of proposals and it’s a pity that there is no will from their side to solve any topic. When you don’t have a will, you don’t move forward. It’s only a personal ego battle between them.”

Even further, he candidly confessed: “Yes, I can be frustrated but that’s a part of my responsibility. But I don’t feel obligated to talk to them anymore. From here onwards, but there will be some conditions to talk,” said Negre sending out a tuft message to the out-of-power federation (IHF).

“Their position is becoming weaker by the day and the progress of Hockey in India isn’t helping them either. From our side, it’s clear: FIH’s future is with Hockey India,” told the Spaniard maintaining FIH’s position on this issue.

On the topic of Field Hockey being considered to be dropped from 2020 Olympics Games, Negre said, “We were surprised, definitely. If you would have seen the response that Field Hockey got at the 2012 London Olympics, then it can’t be like this. But, it has a few positive things too. We (the Hockey fraternity) need to stay awake and can’t be too sleepy. You always have the possibility to improve.”

It is apparent that Negre shares an excellent relationship with NarinderBatra, the Secretary-General of Hockey India. “We are in full appreciation of Mr. Batra’s work. He has done a fantastic job. It’s because of him Hockey in India has come to this level. We (both) have been talking for a while now about Club Hockey World Cup. In this, may be the top two teams of the Hockey India League will participate.”

Negre also hinted that apart from Junior World Cup (Men) in the end of 2013, followed by subsequent round of Hockey World League, there will be more tournaments in India.

“For us, apart from Holland which is the main focus for both Men and Women’s tournaments, India is the focus for Men’s tournament and Argentina for Women. We will be allocating our best tournaments to these countries,” revealed Negre, clearly pointing out that Indian Hockey fans will have much to cheer in the years to come.