Hyderabad: Clearing the air of suspicion over the hockey World Cup and the future of Ric Charlesworth, International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Els van Breda Vriesman said India will be hosting the World Cup in New Delhi in 2010 and the Australian coach will have no further role in India as his resignation was accepted by the Sports Authority of India.
Vriesman also said that subject to the official confirmation of the general assembly of the Indian Olympic Association in November, the men’s and women’s governing bodies of the hockey in the country will be renamed as Hockey India. Until then the two will work under one body, the Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC).
“We are very happy with the latest developments in India. I am delighted to announce that India will host the 2010 World Cup. And the profits from hosting this championship will be reinvested in the development of Indian hockey,’’ she said.
On Ric Charlesworth, Vriesman said, “Charlesworth’s role in India will end as his resignation has been accepted by SAI.’’
“The Indian Olympic Association has provisionally recognized the IHC as the sole governing body for hockey in India and the official confirmation is expected at the IOA general assembly in November,’’ she said.
Asked if this ends the role of KPS Gill in Indian hockey, Vriesman said, “Yes, the new body will look after the affairs of hockey in India. We are moving ahead and I don’t want to comment on the old federation.’’
On the role of Gill in the Asian Hockey Federation, Vriesman said the Indian will serve his full term.
“He is elected for four years and so he will continue as vice-president of the AHF till 2010. But he will have nothing to do with Indian hockey,’’ she said.
According to Kalmadi the ad hoc committee will soon be replaced by a permanent arrangement. “We are conducting meetings with former captains and Olympians in Hyderabad and New Delhi.
“We will soon have a permanent set up. And a coach for the senior team will be appointed soon,’’ Kalmadi said.
Meanwhile, FIH has decided in principle to host the men’s Champions Trophy in 2011 or 2012 in India. A women’s tournament will also be held in India in the next few years.