HYDERABAD: Hockey India, the new name of Indian Hockey Confederation, will be the sole governing body for hockey (men and women) in India and the 2010 World Cup men’s hockey championship will be held in Delhi.
These decisions were taken at a meeting between the Indian Olympic Association representatives, headed by President Suresh Kalmadi, and the FIH, headed by its President Ms Els van Breda Vriesman, here on Friday.
“The IOA has agreed in principle to have Hockey India as a symbolic gesture to look ahead for a bright future. The official confirmation for this is expected at the IOA general assembly in November this year. This is a new beginning for the sport here,” Ms Vriesman said at a media briefing. “I don’t want to comment on the past. But look at a bright future,” she said to query on whether she was disappointed with the recent developments in Indian hockey.
The FIH chief also pointed out that if any profits accrue by hosting the World Cup, all the money would be spent on promoting the sport only. “The World Cup will be a joint-venture between IOA and the FIH,” she added.
“FIH has also decided in principle to host the men’s Champions Trophy in 2011 or 2012 in India subject to sponsorship and other arrangements and that a women’s tournament will be held in India in the next few years,” she said.
Suresh Kalmadi said that the Sports Authority of India has accepted Ric Charlesworth’s resignation as technical advisor to Indian hockey. “This ends Ric’s role in that capacity,” he added.
The IOA chief did not feel that by forming Hockey India there would be any legal problems from any side. “We are confident of moving ahead,” he said. “Mr. K. P. S. Gill will continue to be on the AHF (as vice-president) in his individual capacity and not as a representative of the country and complete the full term of four years,” Kalmadi said to a query.
“We are out here to revive Indian hockey and a decision to set a schedule for the elections and also on appointing a national coach will be taken after a critical review meeting with former India captains and internationals after the conclusion of the junior Asia Cup,” he said.
Kalmadi also said that as part of the efforts to give a definite shape to Hockey India, all the State Hockey Associations will be amalgamated over a period of time to be under one head. “It might take a long time but the process will begin very soon,” he said.