IOC to discuss HI with members

AGE CORRESPONDENT

Mumbai

June 15: In a bid to resolve differences with the Bengal Hockey Association president J.B. Roy-led faction over formation of Hockey India, the Indian Olympic Committee has invited its members for a meeting.

“We received a letter from IOA president Suresh Kalmadi yesterday, inviting us to discuss the affairs and the future of Indian hockey,” Indian Women’s Hockey Federation secretary Amrit Bose told reporters here on Monday.

“The members have unanimously authorised me and Roy to meet Kalmadi. This is a good beginning,” she said. The date of the meeting would be decided soon, she added.

Reiterating the state associations’ demand for time-bound elections in Hockey India, Bose said, “we would not like to lay any condition during the meeting. We would hear what he (Kalmadi) has to say, and then discuss it with our member units,” Bose said.

Roy and Bose led a two-day Amby Valley dialogue that witnessed participation of office-bearers of 22 mens’ and 20 womens’ associations across the country.

Eighteen of these associations were present during the press conference.

The duo recently joined hands to oppose the formation of Hockey India, a unified body comprising the mens’ and womens’ wings as desired by the International Hockey Federation.

Asked whether they would consider forming a rebel league, Bose said, “We would not like to go that way but if we are left with no option, we may form a rebel federation.”

Former Olympian and Bengal Hockey Association secretary Gurbux Singh said, “The only demand we are making of the IOA is to call all the stakeholders and hold time-bound fair, democratic and open election and we will accept it.”

Bose also added that they would not mind a sports ministry observer conducting the election.

Negre will be visiting India on June 25 and 26, and is expected to meet Roy and Bose regarding the issue.