Having already missed the first deadline, Sports Minister MS Gill on Monday asked Hockey India not to let the country down by failing to hold elections by the February date set by the international federation.

Gill said he accepted the FIH’s decision to extend to hold elections to February and HI should not miss the deadline this time.

“HI could not hold elections by November 20 and FIH has extended the deadline till February next year. I have accepted that and HI must hold elections by that time. For this HI should first ensure the formation of a single body for men and women in all states,” he said.

He said the HI elections should be fair and transparent in the country’s democratic tradition.

‘Clear doping mess’

Gill also asked Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi to clear the doping mess involving weightlifters. “Gill called Kalmadi this morning and discussed the doping issue. The Minister told Kalmadi to clear the mess Indian weightlifting finds itself in,” Sports Ministry sources said.

Earlier, Gill had lashed out at the Indian Weightlifting Federation, saying it owed an an explanation and an apology to the country for the dope scandals that could invite a third international ban. The IWF needs to explain how six lifters tested positive for banned substances in WADA tests.