Hockey India’s election process lacks transparency: Aslam

NEW DELHI: Former secretary general Mohammad Aslam accused Hockey India of indulging in malpractices in granting affiliation to its state units and said such “close door” activities only reflect their vested interest in the election process.

Aslam on Monday made public the list of units who have been granted recognition by the HI affiliation committee and said by not making the list available to all the concerned parties and media the present set of office bearers have proved that they have vested interest in the national body’s election to be held on February 7.

“The list of the affiliated state bodies have been finalised by Hockey India but was not circulated to the units. What kind of transparency in the election process they are talking about.

“It seems they have made the list through unfair means. By doing these, it is proved that they have personal interest in the election,” Aslam said.

“As per the rule, all the state units are expected to receive this information well in advance,” he added.

He futher said that HI affiliation unit has not consulted other stake holders of the states who are associated with the game in the affiliation process.

“There are 3-4 groups in majority of the states who run hockey. But till now they have not made the list public barring the people who have been granted recognition. Why they are indulging in these sort of close door arrangements?” Aslam questioned.

“It only projects their bad intentions. But we won’t let this happen,” he said.

Aslam claimed HI has granted affiliation to 30 states and four units but denied recognition to Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai Hockey Association.