Negre to visit India to resolve impasse over Champions Trophy
NEW DELHI: FIH president Leandro Negre is expected to visit the country soon to hold discussions with sports ministry officials in the wake of the world body’s warning to take away the hosting rights of major international events from India, including the Champions Trophy in December.
Sports minister Ajay Maken on Monday said the top officials of the ministry are in talks with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to clear the air over India’s hosting rights of the Champions Trophy and next year’s Olympic qualifiers.
“The joint secretary (Sports) had written a letter to the FIH and had also spoken to Negre. He tried to make him understand the agreement between HI and IHF. We are expecting Negre here very soon for further discussion on the matter,” Maken told reporters on the sidelines of the National Sports Day function.
The ministry’s move comes after the FIH had rejected the ‘working agreement’ between the two warring factions — Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation — and had threatened to take away the Champions Trophy and the Olympic qualifiers from India unless a single body is in place as per the Olympic charter.
“The HI and IHF have signed an agreement before the ministry few days back. But it is unfortunate that the FIH and Indian Olympic Association have raised objection. I hope FIH understands the situation here,” Maken said.