In a move that caught every one unawares, the Indian Hockey Federation has sent agenda for a Special AGM to all its members, in which election of office bearers too is mentioned. The Special Annual General Meeting is proposed to be held in Kolkatta on 23rd of this month.
The IHF election is due in January 2006. Almost in a similar fashion, the present set up advanced the elections last time too, but five months before the expiry of their tenure. Election was due in June 2002, but it was advanced to January that year, probably to avoid any embarassment that the Jan/Feb World Cup would cause. That time too the rivals could not mobilise their resources as time was running them out.
As Mr. KPS Gill has repeatedly announced his intention not to contest the next election, it is expected that he might try to put his choice of person on the chair before quitting. Another possibility is fourth time for his set of officials.
The move smacks of applicatin of democractic principles. For the officials who are known for their reluctance to, and negligence of, opinion making tools such as AGM & EC meetings, thought of two AGMs in a calender year!
Last AGM was conducted at Hyderabad midway through the PHL.
Meanwhile it is gathered that Senior Vice President Narendra Batra, who is also president of the JK hockey Association filed a case in a court of law, pleading for two things. One, to set right the financial irregularites in the IHF balance sheet which was passed in February. Secondly, questioning the legal validity of third term the President and Secretary enjoy.