M.S. Gill, Kalmadi hail India’s victory

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Minister, M.S. Gill, has hailed the Indian hockey team’s trophy win in the Azlan Shah tournament in Ipoh. Mr. Gill said on Monday:

“I am delighted with this victory. I have no doubt Indian hockey will rise from now on. The victory in Malaysia showed the positive spirit of the team and the coaches. I congratulate them. I will do everything I can to support hockey.”

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President, Suresh Kalmadi, also congratulated the team on its triumph.

In a statement, Mr. Kalmadi said: “On behalf of the Indian Olympic Association ad hoc committee for hockey, I congratulate the Indian hockey team. This could not have been possible without a collective team effort, led by captain Sandeep Singh and coaches under the supervision of Harendra Singh.”

Mr. Kalmadi also congratulated Dilip Tirkey for becoming the highest capped player in international hockey and said he looked forward to another inspired performance by the team in the Asian Cup next month.

Mr. Gill is seized of the matter regarding New Delhi hosting the hockey World Cup next March and the conditions put forward by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Talking to The Hindu on Monday, Mr. Gill said that in the coming days his ministry would have detailed discussions with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on the matter and a solution would be arrived at as soon as possible.

“We must deliver,” said Mr. Gill on FIH President Leandro Negre’s desire that India should have a duly-elected, democratic, unified body running the game of hockey for men and women in order for the country to successfully stage the World Cup next year.

India currently has two bodies running men and women’s hockey and the men’s hockey affairs have been entrusted to an ad hoc panel by the IOA last year following allegations of corruption within the IHF.

Mr. Gill said that he had discussions with Mr. Negre when the latter was here last week at the head of an FIH delegation and the FIH chief was keen that an elected body controlled the game in the country, preferably under the unified banner of Hockey India.

The minister said that he was aware of the pending court case and the difficulties the IOA could face in forming a unified body.

Courtesy: The Hindu