National hockey to be held in Pune

Joe Williams

Pune: The long awaited senior national men’s hockey, which has been stalled for number of years, will be held in Pune from September 13.

Confirming this to DNA, Ikram Khan joint secretary of Maharashtra Hockey Association stated that the tournament will be held under the aegis of Hockey India.
The MHA official further added that the nationals which were to be held in Pune last December had to be deferred due to the court case.

Hockey India has been given a boost by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which has welcomed its formation and congratulated the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President for its creation.

Mohammad Aslam Khan, secretary of Hockey India, told DNA that the new body did not have power to dissolve state associations. “We are not dissolving them. We cannot dissolve them as they are not affiliated to us. They can carry on, we are not touching them,” he said.

When asked if the state bodies having links with former IHF chief KPS Gill and Bengal Hockey Association president JB Roy would be considered for affiliation, Khan said it would become a disciplinary matter.

Meanwhile, the camp for the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi will also be held in Pune from June 15.

Courtes: DNA