Representatives of the international hockey federation and the Indian Olympic Association met in Hyderabad on 17 and 18 July 2008 in conjunctionwith the6th Men’s Junior Asia Cup.
Both Mrs. Els van Bredea Vriesman, FIH president , and Mr. Suresh kalmadi, president of the IOA said that the meetings were held in good spirit with positive contributions from all participants.
Structure of Indian Hockey
The IOA advised that it has provisionally recognized the Indian Hockey Confederation as the sole governing body for hockey, men and women, in India. Official confirmation is expected at the IA General Assembly in November. This is a new beginning for Indian hockey. As an indicati0n of this change, it is proposed to rename the IHF to Hockey India.
Project Promoting Indian Hockey
The sports Authority of India announced that it had accepted Ric Charlesworth’s resignation as Technical Adviser of Indian hockey. This ends Ric’s role in that capacity.
The FIH and the IOA are delighted to announce that agreement has been concluded to host the Men’s World Cup in 2010 in Delhi, India, at the new National Hockey Stadium, presently being totally renovated to create one of the finest hockey stadium in the world. The stadium will also be the venue of the hockey competition of the commonwealth Games in 2010.
The World Cup will be organized as a joint venture between the FIH and the IOA Both organizations have agreed that all profits will be reinvested in the Project Promoting Indian Hockey.
Future Tournaments
Mrs van Breda Vriesman also announced that FIH had decided in principle to host the Men’s Champions Trophy in 2011 or 2012 in India, subject to sponsorship and other arrangements being arranged and also to hold women’s tournament in India in the next few years.