Hockey India polls to take place today

After four postponements and numerous legal wrangles, Hockey India (HI) is set to conduct its elections on Thursday. The latest exercise comes after the Delhi and Mumbai High Courts had stayed the last election process following the Central government’s ambiguity regarding HI and the KPS Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

Under pressure from the international hockey federation (FIH), which had threatened to revoke the provisional acceptance given to HI, the interim body was able to get the Supreme Court to vacate the stay on July 30 and pave the way for elections.

Although the July 31 deadline set by FIH could not be met, FIH observer Antonio von Ordaza will be present here on Thursday. He had earlier expressed disappointment at the elections being postponed and issued a warning. “Despite HI repeatedly scheduling elections, the polls have been repeatedly delayed due to inexplicable reasons. Let me remind people here that the game of hockey is suffering. We may have to take punitive measures,” Ordaza had said.

Even though results will not be implemented due to the court order, conducting the elections will be a giant step for HI and a relief for FIH. Former player Pargat Singh (Hockey Punjab) will take on Vidya Stokes for the post of president while Narinder Batra is in the fray for secretary-general.

PTI adds: The electoral college of HI has revealed a member of the Assam Olympic Association (AOA) will represent Hockey Meghalaya in the polls.

According to a FIR lodged by Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) general secretary D Syiemlieh, Hockey Meghalaya representative in the elections, Raj Kakoti, is the treasurer of AOA while lady member, Sumita Sinha, also hails from Assam.