The IHF election case drags

March 31, 2009: Good news for the hockey Adhoc Committee of the Indian Olympic Association, who don’t want the IHF election.

The Delhi High Court today postponed the hearing / delivering judgment in the case filed by the ‘disgraced’ KPS Gill, to July.

It means unless and until some other form of intervention takes place, its ‘cool’ six months’ rule for the Adhoc Committee.

Let us see whether they can bring a foreign coach in the extended time.

The new player in the IHF, JB Roy faction — which wants early election, and was authorized by the the majority State Hockey Associations to intervene in the case – must have to wait almost ‘endlessly’ now.

We of course do not know what legal scope they will have now in the light of the developments today, to speed up the matter.

In a democratic country, it’s ironical that getting the election held on time — the IHF’s tenure if it had not been dissolved — is a big issue. The IHF election otherwise also due in May 2009.

meanwhile, it is another example at pace the judicial system works in our country, and how it indirectly allows many undesirable things take place.

Narinder Batra went to court in 2005 against the then IHF advancing the IHF election. The judgment on the case was delivered last month, a cool four years after.

In the present case, KPS Gill went to court against his sacking by the IOA, and then pleaded for quick elections. The court refused to stay the sacking, and is now hearing the case. It was widely believed a clear verdict will be given today, but things went the other way.

The way things are dragging now, when the court will give its verdict and elections come, only Gill or the IOA will be ready for the election! Those who live out of sport will hang around, while those who could or would spend for sports will tire out.