By Tushar Bhaduri in New Delhi
HOCKEY India’s dilly- dallying over the choice of turf and teams has resulted in the four- nation test event in the leadup to the World Cup being cancelled.
Correspondence between the International Hockey Federation ( FIH) and Hockey India reveals the lackadaisical attitude of the former with the world body not being informed about the laying of the turf at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, which is also the venue for the World Cup.
The delay left the FIH with no option but to pull the plug on the event, which was marked for January 17- 21.
“ At the moment we are reluctant to grant approval, since it is not clear to us whether there will be a pitch ready to play the tournament on and whether the other associated facilities will be in place in time,” FIH’s umpires development manager Richard Wilson said in a reply to Hockey India’s request for approval.
Wilson also indicated that the world body was not kept in loop about the laying of the turf at the venue.
“ Regarding the pitch, our latest information is that asphalt layers were due to be put down last weekend, although we have no confirmation yet that this took place,” he said in a letter dated December 9.
Hockey India had not adhered to deadlines they previously agreed on.
“ If all goes to plan, then the pitch could be ready in the first week of January 2010. However, you will be aware that previously advised/ promised deadlines have all been delayed so far,” Wilson said.
Hockey India wanted to invite top teams such as Spain, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Korea for the event, but did not act in time.
“ We also have concerns as to whether the teams you indicate that you will invite to play will be available at this late stage in their preparations for the World Cup,” the letter said.
“ Taking the above into account, we believe that there are inherent dangers in approving a 4- Nations tournament at present.” The four- nation tournament has been on the calendar for a long time but Mattoo informed about the cancellation only when confronted by journalists at an event on Monday.
“ The four- nation tournament will not be held, because the International Hockey Federation has not approved it,” Mattoo said. “ Instead, we are planning a Test series, to be held in the middle of January. We have confirmation from France that they are ready to come for it.” He claimed the cancellation of the event will not cast a shadow on the World Cup, slated from February 28.
“ The World Cup will be held on time.
We are taking stock of the preparations.
The turf has been laid – it is just a question of putting the finishing touches. The stadium will be completed on time.”
‘ EXPEDITE ELECTION PROCESS’
Meanwhile, after Hockey Punjab alleged that the national body was deliberately dragging its feet in granting it affiliation, election observer SK Mendiratta on Monday asked the process to be expedited.
“ It is desirable that the affiliation process is completed as expeditiously as possible and the list of authorised representatives of affiliated units who form the electoral college is finalised and made public,” Mendiratta said in his letter to Hockey India.
He also wants the list of authorised representatives to be finalised as soon as possible. “ You may call upon all the affiliated units urgently to submit their lists of authorised representatives by 10th ( Tenth) January so that the finalised list is made public in the next day or so thereafter.
“ Sufficient time should be allowed for filing of nominations and one day’s gap should be there between the finalisation of the contestants and the poll.”