Elections to formalise Hockey India’s structure have been postponed yet again and cannot be held on January 29. HI is yet to complete the necessary formalities and give the mandatory 21-day notice for calling the general body meeting to elect its office-bearers.
HI president Ashok Kumar Mattoo agreed that there were a couple of issues that needed to be addressed first before issuing the notice, but insisted that the election would be held a few days after the announced date.
“The government has raised a couple of issues that need to be looked at and there is also a need to form an electoral college before the elections can be held.
But we are hopeful that all of this will be finalised in our meeting on Monday. The election will be held within the time frame (before the World Cup),” Mattoo told this newspaper.
“The international federation is also aware of the situation and we have in fact asked for an FIH observer to come down for the meeting.
We should be in a position to issue the notice for election on Tuesday,” he added.
This is the second time that the HI elections have been postponed. FIH has maintained that HI should hold the election before the World Cup scheduled to commence one February 28.
Meanwhile, the FIH reposed faith in HI. “The FIH is confident in the election process for Hockey India and is assisting in all possible ways.
“The FIH is in close contact with Hockey India and all bodies involved and is helping them to make sure that the constitution, status and by-laws of Hockey India will be in line with the statutes of the FIH. This is the normal process in forming a National Association,” it said in a statement.