Some of the units denied affiliation on the one-state-one-association rule by Hockey India (HI), are now willing to be recognised as associate members (members without voting right). Among them are Mumbai and Vidarbha.

The change in stand seems to have happened after it became clear that HI rejected applications of five former Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) members including Mumbai and Vidarbha.

The other reason is that the Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA) has recognised the faction of the Maharashtra Hockey Association led by Victor Ellis and Ikram Khan.
That effectively rules out chances of Vidrabha and the Mumbai Hockey Association (MHA) being affiliated under HI’s one-state rule.

The twist to the tale came after MOA secretary general Balasaheb Landge recognised the Ellis-Khan faction following orders from Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Landge’s move though disproves HI president A.K. Mattoo’s claim that affiliation was granted only after receiving letters from the state Olympic Associations.

According to the minutes of an HI meeting on November 30, Karnataka State Hockey Association’s affiliation was withheld as it had not submitted the letter from its state Olympic association.

As per those minutes, a copy of which is with Hindustan Times, Maharashtra’s affiliation though was approved without any problem. Karnataka was affiliated on Tuesday after HI got the letter.

“This proves that Hockey India has different set of rules for different state associations,” said Joaquim Carvalho, a former India player and MHA spokesman.

Mattoo though said HI went by the rules. “I was given the mandate to give affiliation to one association per state and for merger of men’s and women’s bodies. We have done that in a fair and transparent manner,” he said.

“We are fed up with Hockey India’s politics and are ready to take up membership without voting rights,” said Carvalho.

Vidarbha Hockey Association secretary Vinod Gavai said: “We have some responsibilities towards players from Vidarbha and are not averse to associate membership so that our players get a chance to play at the top level.”

Speaking on the matter Mattoo said: “The decision regarding associate membership will be taken by the new body elected on January 29.