Roy calls meet on new hockey body

Joe Williams

Pune: The decision by the Indian Olympic Association to form Hockey India, a unified body to run men and women’s hockey in the country, has enraged members of the state committees which are now left in no man’s land. While Bengal Hockey Association chief JB Roy has convened a meeting at New Delhi on June 9 and 10, the newly-formed Hockey India is ready to welcome those who want to be part of it.

“We had brought together many state associations, but this is something which is not to the liking of many, and we will take our stand,” Roy told DNA from Kolkata.

But Aslam Khan, the spokesperson of Hockey India has welcomed the rival faction. “We were left with no other option but to take this step as the International body (FIH) had threatened to deny India the right to host the World Cup.” Keeping things open for all the state associations, Khan said that the doors are open for all those who want to be part of Hockey India. “There is a fear among the state associations that we are not authentic, which is not true; we are here to help them out provided they come forward,” stated Khan.

KPS Gill, president of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) which is now no more affiliated with the IOA, said his federation won’t buckle to pressure. “I have heard about the IOA’s move but I won’t comment on it. We are still an active body and will see that things are placed in the right manner for the betterment of the game,” he said.

Meanwhile there have been mixed reactions from the state associations. “We will join them (Hockey India),” said Ikram Khan, one of the secretaries of the two state associations which exist in Pune. Sources in Mumbai Hockey Association indicated that they might not become a part of parent body, however, this could not be confirmed.

(With inputs from Mihir Vasavda in Mumbai)