Sports channel drags IHF to court

NEW DELHI: ESPN STAR Sports, which introduced the concept of a national hockey league in India in collaboration with Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Leisure Sports, has sued IHF for striking a deal for another league with a rival media conglomerate.

Premier Hockey Development Private Limited (PHD), the firm formed by ESPN STAR (ESS) and IHF in 2004 to run the Premier Hockey League, had in a letter to IHF on January 6, sought a confirmation that the federation wasn’t “entering into any arrangement which would be contrary to or violate the terms of the sanction agreement” of December 31, 2004.

But with IHF apparently not replying to the letter within the stipulated seven days, it filed a lawsuit in the Delhi high court.

Last week and on Friday, the court heard both the parties before scheduling the next hearing to March 17.

ESS spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, stating that the matter was subjudice, but as is apparent, PHD is arguing that the concept and conduct of the national league is its exclusive property after it struck the deal with IHF in 2004 for a period of ten years.

“The IHF granted to PHD exclusive and unfettered right during the term to use IHF’s name and logo in the league name and logo and in the promotion and broadcast of PHL throughout the world,” PHD’s letter to IHF said.

“Additionally, while granting the rights, IHF has undertaken to PHD, that no other national, regional or multi-team hockey league or events which could compete with or prejudice the status of PHL will be directly or indirectly run or sanctioned… by IHF or its member associations in their respective territories.”

Drawing IHF’s attention to media reports on the federation’s plans to organise a World Series of Hockey with Nimbus Sport, it said that “keeping in mind the rights, such reports become extremely concerning for us.”

PHD is seeking to restrain IHF as well as seeking redressal to the breach of contract as the concept belongs to them.

PHL’s first edition was held in 2005 before it wound up prematurely in 2008 after IHF was disaffiliated by Indian Olympic Association.

PHD’s move comes as another blow to IHF’s aspirations of conducting the WSH. On Thursday, FIH said it did not recognise WSH and added that players and national associations “will be rendered ineligible to participate in the Olympic qualifying tournaments and the Olympic Games” if they become a part of WSH.

The world series was launched in December last year after Nimbus Sport and IHF entered into a 15-year deal to conduct the league spread over 10 cities in India.