The Asian Age

New Delhi

Aug. 5: Hockey India’s efforts to side-step the Kolkata high court’s order, which made it compulsory to have the Sahara’s logo on the national team jersey, went in vain after the high court rejected their argument that the contract ended with dissolution of the erstwhile Indian Hockey Federation.

The court observed that the game’s governing body was just an alter-ego of the disbanded IHF, whose activities were taken over by Hockey India.

“It appeared to the court that Hockey India was formed to avoid the threat of losing the right to stage the hockey World Cup in Delhi in 2010, consequent to the suspension and disaffiliation of the IHF,” justice Nadira Patherya said, in a release issued by Sahara.

“Although the IHF continues as a body corporate it has lost its importance in the world of hockey. In fact, the activities of the IHF have been taken over by Hockey India.”

The court said that it would not be incorrect to say that Hockey India had taken over the IHF’s mantle as the governing body of the sport in the country.

“Therefore, in effect Hockey India is nothing but an alter ego of the IHF and this is evidenced from the three members of the ad-hoc committee constituting Hockey India,” justice Patherya concluded.

The grounds, on which Hockey India claimed vacation or variation of the stay order dated 24.7.2009, were not found by the court.

Also there is only one team selected by Hockey India which represents India in tournaments and therefore nothing but an alter ego of the IHF.