Hockey India says its a private body, and refuses every wisdom the government of the day strikes to imbibe on it. Now the FIH says they stand by Hockey India.
Quoting its statues and Olympic charter, the FIH in turn requests the government to ‘Support and cooperate with their decision”.
In its straight-forward reply to government of India’s letter of de-recognizing Hockey India, FIH wrote back on 7th August, the copy of which is made available to media by the sources in the Hockey India, the FIH repeats what its observer van Antonio was quoted as saying.
For the clarity purpose, we reproduced the letter of FIH
To
Secretary, Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt of India, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
Dear Madam,
We acknowledge the receipt of your DONo. F32-23/2008-SPIII of August 06, 2010 stating you have derecognized Hockey India (HI) and further stating not to assigning any international tournament or have any dealing with Hockey India. We further note that based ont he direction of the Court you have recognized IHF as the recognized national Sports Federation for the management, control and prop promotion of hockey in India.
At the outset we reiterate that we have already recognized hckey india as a recognized boyd for the management, control and promotion for the hockey in India, duly recognized by the IOA, based ont he Olympic Movement / Charter and FIH statutes.
we have in the past specifically communicated to Hockey India and IHF and have openly stated the correct position as the FIH statue that only that body which is full compliance with the FIH statute that is a sole governing body that governs both men and owmne hcokey and which meets the requirement of FIH statues shall be recognized for the management, control and promotion of the Hockey.
You are aware that IHF was derecognized by us way back in the year 2000 as both IHF and IWHF were in complete non-compliance of FIH statues and regulations. In the best interest of Hockey in India we recognized Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) in 2001 on the basis of representations made by IHF and IWHF that IHC is sole governing body to govern both men and women hockey in India. We were shocked when we found in 2008 and when it was revealed that IHC is defunct and non-existent body and we were compelled to derecognize IHF, ie Indian Hockey Confederation.
Hockey India was formed in consultation wth Ministry of sports, Govt of India (GOI, MoYAS & Indian Olympic Association to govern, manage and control promotion of hockey for both men and women in India as per FIH statutes and Hockey was recognized by IOA in May 2009, FIH in June 2009 and GOI MoYAS in August 2009.
Hockey India had complied with all the requirement of FIH except election. On 5 August 2010 Hockey India elections were conducted by a retired High Court Judge, IOA observer and int he presence of FIH observer Mr. Antonio Von Ondarza and we have noted this compliance on par of Hockey India and is satisfied with this compliance.
Strangely enough in letter addressed to us you are calling upon us to recognize IHF which was de-recognized by us way back int he year 2000. We are further shocked to note that in site of being completely aware that IHF is non compliant with our statutes and in spite of the fact that it was de-recognized by i us int eh year 2000 and further IHF floated by IHF and IWH was de-recognized by us on the ground that it was the defunct body you are now calling upon us to recognize IHF Please not that IWHF has already merged into Hockey India in the year 2008. In view therefor IHF and IWHF merger is not possible. In any event we have de-recognized IHF in the year 2000 as IHF is not compliant with our statues / charter.
In the circumstances and in the best interest of Hockey in India we would like to inform you that Hockey India is the sole and only body that has been recognised by FIH as also compliant with FIH Statutes. We therefore, sincerely request you to support and cooperate with the decision taken by the FIH. Please note that Women’s world Cup is round the corner and we have requested Hockey India to send the team so that India is represented. We trust the above clarifies the position of FIH We are bound by our statutes and we cannot be complled to act in violation of our statues.
Sd/==
Leondro Negre, FIH President