Pargat Singh noses ahead in Hockey India polls race

Joe Williams / DNATuesday

Pune: Hectic campaigning is on at the venues of respective candidates for the Hockey India presidential post. Each party is trying to lure the voters, that made Sunday the busiest day ahead of the Hockey India elections on Wednesday.

Just when it seemed the wind was favourable for Vidya Stokes and Co, former India skipper Pargat Singh has roared back into contention.

“The equation has changed. Pargat and company seem to be having the upper hand,” said one of the observers at the venue. More than the majority, it is the hot seat, the president’s post, which is drawing attention.

“There is a change in trend but this is bound to happen as election days are nearing,” one of Vidya Stokes’s campaigners told DNA. “After all, it is an election.”

Meanwhile, Pargat said it’s not right to compare him to Stokes. “There is no way I can be compared to Stokes. She is a respected lady. But I am sure everyone wants good governance of the national sport,” said Pargat Singh.

Meanwhile, FIH’s deadline is drawing close (July 31) and if the elections are not held by then, many of the FIH members would not consider India for the future championships.