IHF units ready to raise ‘banner of democracy’

25 Feb 2009,

NEW DELHI: It seems ‘adhocism’ in hockey is not going down well with several of the units of the now suspended Indian Hockey Federation.

In an interesting development, Bengal Hockey Association has called a meeting of disgruntled units on Wednesday seeking an early election to the IHF. It has been learnt that 28 of the 39 affiliated units are expected to attend the meeting.

The meeting gains significance since the Delhi High Court is scheduled hear the case between the ad-hoc body and the dissolved IHF on March 2, where the ad-hoc committee is expected to submit plans for holding elections.

“IHF should be reinstated as an ad-hoc body can’t run the game indefinitely,” said BHA president JB Roy, who is the face of the meeting. “If previous president KPS Gill and the secretary did any wrong, let’s have fresh elections. Hockey should get it’s due,” Roy told TOI.

“The IOA-run ad hoc body has not got in touch with any of the units while taking major decisions,” Roy said. When asked whether he would be interested in contesting elections for the post of president if the Delhi High Court sets a date for IHF elections, he said, “Any member can contest the elections.”

He refused to comment when asked whether he had the support of all the members attending the meeting. However, sources said that the Roy group has the support of a majority of members.

Meanwhile, when contacted, a senior member of the ad-hoc committee refused to comment on the development.