Hockey federations in show of strength

9 Jun 2009

BANGALORE: The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has convened a special general body meeting in New Delhi to study the issue of Hockey India.

In an official mail to all the state associations, the IHF said that the meeting on June 14 will discuss threadbare an issue that has gripped the country’s hockey community for the last few days.

A separate meeting of the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation too is likely on the same day. In fact, Karnataka women’s association sources confirmed that they had received tickets to New Delhi for the meeting from the Bengal Hockey Association supremo JB Roy as well as a call from the IWHF secretary Amrit Bose, urging them to reach the capital in time to add muscle to the show of strength.

Number-crunching in the past few days has found the two federations way ahead in terms of support when compared to the ill-conceived Hockey India but what has come as a shot in the arm is the way former IHF president KPS Gill recently refused to entertain any overture from Hockey India.

The attempt allegedly by Hockey India chief AK Mattoo, Aslam Khan and others to woo Gill to their ranks fell flat a couple of days back, according to sources, with the super Sardar making it clear that he was not interested in joining forces with them.

“Gill backed the IHF meeting on June 14 and that has come as a huge boost for the new alignment,” sources said, referring to the partnership between Gill and Roy.
Courtesy: Times of India