By Mail Today Correspondent in New Delhi
HOCKEY India on Tuesday cast doubts on the election process of Hockey Punjab and stated it as the reason for not granting affiliation to the unified state unit till now.
After Hockey India failed to recognise the Punjab unit four months after application, the state body had alleged foul play on the part of Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi.
In a letter to Hockey Punjab secretary Pargat Singh, the national body claimed there were several complaints filed over the election process, which saw the state’s deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal take over the reins.
“ When you met Mr Narinder Batra ( member of the fivemember panel formed to look into affiliation of various state units), he apprised you about the complaints which have been received from the different quarters who have raised doubts about the authentication of the formation of Hockey Punjab,” Hockey India president AK Mattoo wrote to Pargat.
He now wants the state body to submit certain details pertaining to their meetings.
“ You are required to submit the minutes of meeting of the election in which Hockey Punjab was formed along with the list of persons who attended the meeting for us to consider your request for affiliation,” Mattoo said. He reiterated there were no vested interest at play in the matter and Punjab was not the only state unit yet to get affiliation.
“ Nobody has ever doubted the role of Punjab in the development of hockey in India.
There is an affiliation committee to look after the affiliation of the state units after the members are fully convinced about the unification of all units. It is not only Punjab which is yet to be granted affiliation but there are many other states who have applied but are yet to be granted affiliation due to certain queries raised by the affiliation committee,” said the letter.
“ Affiliation has already been granted to those state units who have completed the necessary formalities.” Hockey Punjab had said it was the first state to merge its various hockey associations and there was no valid reason for not recognising it.
Meanwhile, Hockey India officials met government observor SK Mendiratta on Tuesday in connection with the January 29 elections. “ While Rajasthan has been given affiliation today, Delhi has apparently not yet filed its papers,” Mendiratta told MAIL TODAY . As there are three factions in Delhi, apparently delays are taking place.
“ The issue of Punjab was discussed at length and Hockey India has told me that they have asked Punjab Hockey for certain clarifications. As regards Madhya Pradesh, nothing has happened till now,” added Mendiratta.