IOA plans elections for Hockey India
by Sharad Deep
Bigwigs show interest but legal hurdles may derail plans

MUCH BEFORE the expiry of the six-month deadline set by the
International Hockey Federation (FIH) for installing a unified body
for hockey in India, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has kicked
in efforts to set up Hockey India and hold elections for the body.

The IOA has decided to hold elections for the new body, instead of the
Indian Hockey Federation, but legal hurdles may derail their plans.
KPS Gill, president of the suspended IHF, has filed a case in the
Delhi High Court, which has asked IOA to hold IHF elections.

“It would be better to hold elections for Hockey India after bringing
all parties concerned under one umbrella,” said an IOA insider. “This
would sort out the problem for time being, otherwise we may lose the
2010 World Cup.”

However, the IOA will have to clear a number of roadblocks as its
intention to hold elections itself has opened further fissures in the
already divided house.

Sources claimed that at least seven heavyweights have expressed their
interest in contesting for the post of president. They include Bengal
Hockey Association chief JB Roy, who claims to have a ‘big following’
among state hockey associations, Narendra Batra of J & K,
Chandrashekhar of Chandigarh, K Krishnamurthy of Karnataka, Prattap
Satpathy of Orissa and Amrit Bose, secretary of the Indian Women’s
Hockey Federation (IWHF).

KPS Gill and IOA secretary general Randhir Singh are being dubbed the
dark horses. But some believe that thanks to the IOA patronage, ad hoc
committee convener Mohd Aslam Khan may manage to hold his own in the
elections which sources said could be held some time towards the end

of this month.

But Aslam may face lot of opposition. “How can he lead Hockey India
when is not a member of a state association?” questioned a state
hockey boss.

Though the IOA is planning elections, the IWHF still maintains that no
decision has been taken on Hockey India.

IWHF joint secretary Bula Ganguly said any decision regarding merger
of the two bodies has to be taken by the general council. “Some
individuals can’t take a decision. So far the IWHF has not received
any information about the proposed merger,” she said.

Well there are as many voices as people and only the threat to the
World Cup may bring them together. But that can happen only after the
legal hurdles are cleared.

Courtesh: Hindustan Times