The Hindu: Five-member team to meet Jacques Rogge

Chennai: A five-member delegation consisting of men’s and women’s hockey units is seeking a meeting with Jacques Rogge, President, International Olympic Committee, to impress on him on the authoritarian and undemocratic means employed by the Indian Olympic Association in proceeding with disbanding State units and national federations to form Hockey India. This was announced by Mr. J.B. Roy of the Bengal Hockey Association.
Mr. J.B. Roy and Ms. Armit Bose, met Leandro Negre, on Tuesday, and apprised the FIH boss of the difficulties experienced by the State units to comply with the demands of the National Olympic Committee.

Hockey Correspondent

Mr. Negre has assured them that a national body would be in place by November after a ‘democratic’ election to run the hockey affairs in the country.
What has caused alarm is the latest directive by IOA to recognise only the units selected and approved by a special committee. This, many note, is a desperate attempt to force the units, not keen to come under the present leadership of Hockey India, to fall in line with IOA’s set plan.

Meanwhile, there are indications that opinion within Indian Olympic Association is divided on the approach of the apex body to solving the problems pertaining to hockey administration.

Some heads of the federations are apprehensive of a similar treatment in case of a fallout with the top brass. It is quite likely that the issues relating to the national sport will figure in parliament shortly.

Courtesy: The Hindu