FIH will not interfere in HI affairs: Negre

AGE CORRESPONDENT

Mumbai

Jan. 20: The arrival of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre has come as a ray of hope to the hockey associations in the country who have more than one association per state.

According to Hockey India rules, only one association in a state will be given recognition. But Negre said that the international body hasn’t set any guidelines to that effect.

The elections to Hockey India has mandated every state to have only one association and it has directed all state associations to merge multiple bodies before the elections slated for February 7. However, a couple of weeks ago the Mumbai Hockey Association dragged the parent body to court opposing HI’s move. The parent body’s reply is awaited as it should be submitted before the Bombay High Court on January 25.

“We know the problem and our main goal is to guarantee a free and fair democratic election. No FIH guideline was given to Hockey India with reference to affiliation,” said Negre.

The president said that the affiliation issue was an internal matter of HI and should be resolved internally.