FIH Vice-president and FIH Oserver for Hockey India elections, Antonio von Ondarza interacted with journalists today (Saturday) in New Delhi. Hockey India president AK Mattoo and NK Batra were also present.
By all means, the viisiting vice-president of the FIH Antonio Ondarza bailed out Hockey India by giving them more time to conduct elections of the new body.
On Saturday, Ondarza announced that elections should be held before January, next year. The election proposed to be held on November 18, he said, has been postponed as still several states are in the process of merging units.
“Many state units have not been recognized or have failed to register themselves with the state Olympic body. Some of the bigger states in the country where hockey is very popular are still in process of merging. For the development of the game, every unit should be given a chance,” was the reason FIH vice-president gave for the postponement of the November 18 elections.
FIH official however, made it very clear that the elections should be held in a democratic way and before the World Cup. “There is no way elections can be delayed further. We want it in a transparent way,” he told of FIH stand on the elections.
Ondarza said that FIH can’t deal with the state units, as it is not within its preview. “FIH is only concerned with the national body, but at the same time we want that elections should be held on fair play,” he said.
Surprisingly, the process of merging state units couldn’t take place in the last six months, have Hockey India officials have assured that it will be done in short period of eight weeks. But FIH doesn’t have a B plan.
When asked if the scenario remains the same, does FIH have any option of shifting the World Cup out of the country. Ondazra said: He is positive that things will be in place for the January election. But FIH will not shift the World Cup.”
The visiting FIH official has also been assured by the Hockey India officials that the National Stadium which is the venue for the World Cup will be ready by January.
“There is lot to be done, but Hockey India president AK Mattoo has assured that everything will be in place before January. So I have to believe him,” said Ondarza.
On the test event in January, Ondarza said, even if one pitch is ready, the competition could be held.