Two wild cards in Champions Trophy likely

NEW DELHI: The Champions Trophy hockey tournament may see the introduction of two wild cards from 2012 with India and Pakistan being the personal choices of International Hockey Federation president Leandro Negre.

The Champions Trophy, which may become a biennial event if the FIH decides to introduce a new world series in its 2011-2015 competition cycle, will see the number of teams going up to eight.

“My personal choices will be India and Pakistan,” said Negre.

The Champions Trophy and other proposals from the competitions committee will be discussed at the FIH executive board meeting here on Sunday. The FIH would also look into reducing the number of executive board members from the present 26.

“We are going in for a sleeker look. This will also ensure level-playing field for every continent represented on the board.” As regards Asian representation, he said as much as FIH liked to have more from the continent on its board, it was primarily the responsibility of the subcontinent to throw up good leaders.

“We miss leaders from Asia. We need to identify leaders from here. It would help if elections are held in India so that competent officials can join the FIH.”

Obviously, Negre’s views came in reply to sports minister MS Gill’s statement on Friday where he had insisted that the FIH ought have more Indians in the management and technical sectors of the world body.

Negre also insisted that FIH would disaffiliate India if elections were not held by May 31.