Revamped IHF to be formed soon: Kalmadi
Pune: The incumbent Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, who was unanimously re-elected today for a four-year term, has categorically stated that a revamped Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) would be formed very soon for the promotion and proliferation of the sport.
The IHF which was headed by K P S Gill earlier was disbanded by the Union Minister for sports and Youth Affairs Mahender Singh Gill, about six months ago due to various irregularities found in the functioning.
Mr Kalmadi, who is currently heading the ad-hoc body, told reporters, ”’We do not want to continue in the same fashion but would like to form a new IHF for its smooth working and put the game back on the rails so that the activities could be continued”.
”Many international tournaments are on the anvil and the world body- the Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH)– also wanted that India get back into the fold as soon as possible”, he said.
”I will be calling a meeting of representatives of the federations in this regard to know their mind before taking a concrete decision”, Mr Kalmadi observed.
On being asked about the criticism by the disbanded IHF President K P S Gill, Mr Kalmadi said, ”We live in a democratic country and every one has a right to speak for himself”.
The Internatioanl Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogg would be arriving on October 16 in Pune for the CYG and would inaugurate the new club-level sports at the Ganeshkala Krida Manch at the Nehru stadium, Mr Kalmadi informed.
Many foreign dignitaries were also expected to arrive here to witness the games, he added.