IOA gets two more months to run hockey affairs

According to sources, the Delhi High Court, hearing the petition filed by outgoing IHF President KPS Gill, has postponed next hearing to February 6. This gives another two months time for the IOA controlled ad-hoc committee on hockey to continue administer the sport in the country.

In August this year, the court heard the case and fixed December 4 for next hearing. This has now been postponed to February next year.

An ‘illegal’ AGM of the KPS Gill faction noted with confidence some of the observations of the court that were made in August, and were eagerly waiting for a favourable decision today. Accordingly to the minutes of the ‘illegal’ AGM, the court has asked the IOA to deliver a time frame for holding the election.

Another faction of the IHF, headed by Sahara scion JB Roy, was also looking forward to today’s court proceedings. This Group, after having demonstrated two-third majority amidst the IHF electoral college, must have been frustrated as the dates for election getting eluded. It now seems they have to wait at least two more months if the court is the only answer for the IHF election.
However, if the IOA decides to call election before that, they will be the happiest lot. For those who wish visible and effective improvement in the functioning of hockey, too, pray for early election. So that the Gill virus can once for all be eradicated. And then expect some fresh air with the incoming of a business house into hockey.

As of now, it is certain the ad-hoc committee is firmly entrenched in the saddle.

Let us hope, the Committee grabs the chance it has got, and do something worthwhile so that hockey lovers can remember their work.

At least, the IOA can organize the Senior Nationals without any further delay.

Domestic hockey is in limbo, except those teams who play this Cup or that Cup rather routinely.

We are not sure why suddenly the proposed holding of Nationals in Pune never got announced. It’s ages before the City hosted the Nationals, and it is right time it get again.

If the ad-hoc committee accords importance to Nationals, some of the accusations it faces of inactivity, might well be forgotten.