M.S. Unnikrishnan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 6

Hockey Punjab secretary-general Pargat Singh has replied to Hockey India’s letter with a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the three hockey associations in Punjab, which led to their merger for the formation of a unified Hockey Punjab, headed by Sukhbir Badal, in August 2009.

Pargat sent his letter and a copy of the minutes to HI president A.K.Mattoo today. It is learnt that when Pargat met HI treasurer N.Batra, the HI office-bearer “verbally” told him about some “complaints” received about the merger process of Hockey Punjab. Pargat had reportedly told him to give in writing whatever complaints he had received, but Batra put nothing.

Hockey Punjab sources said their papers were much in order, and they had nothing to hide. The sources said Hockey India was playing “delaying tactics” in giving affiliation to Hockey Punjab and other State associations who were not willing to toe its line as some “big bosses” of the Indian Olympic Association were keen to get into the Hockey India bandwagon without breaking any sweat. HI also fears that ex-Indian captain Pargat Singh, who had once challenged super cop KPS Gill in the Indian Hockey Federation election, may throw his hat in the ring for the post of HI president.

“Hence, HI’s game plan seems to be to buy time in giving affiliation to a powerful body like Hockey Punjab so as to stonewall any bid by them to contest for the Hockey India elections”, the source added.