By S. Kannan in New Delhi

SPORTS minister MS Gill says it is very important that elections to Hockey India to be held in the Capital on January 29 are free and fair.

Reacting to a story published by M AIL T ODAY this week, Gill said that “ the sports ministry’s objective is very clear.” “ When the international hockey federation ( FIH) president Leandro Negre first came and met me in 2008, it was agreed we will have a merger of both the men’s and women’s hockey bodies. We also agreed in 2009 that elections be held before the 2010 World Cup,” said Gill.

The minister is unhappy at reports published by this paper that some of the prominent states such as Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi and the three units in Maharashtra are yet to get affiliation.

“ Our objective is very clear that there be just one unified body from each state. We have been actively pursuing these goals and the process ( merger/ recognition) is going on. I reiterate that our objective remains clean and fair elections in Hockey India which will be to the satisfaction of the whole country,” added Gill.

When told about the plight of units like Mumbai, Maharashtra and Vidharbha, which have still not unified or been invited by Hockey India, Gill said an observer has been appointed.

“ SK Mendiratta has served the election commission for long and he will ensure proper elections are held. His legal expertise is unquestionable and he was instrumental in ensuring the BCCI elections in Kolkata could be held properly after retired high court judges had failed,” said Gill.

Such is the situation today, states like Punjab, which have completed their merger process are still being kept waiting. But Gill has a different take on this. “ He ( Mendiratta) has issued detailed instructions on the election process which will be put up on the Hockey India website. We want credible elections to happen which will have all the major hockey playing states’ participation, especially the major ones,” emphasised Gill.

“ In my view, it would not be correct to have elections with nominal hockey centres electing the office bearers for a fixed term,” added Gill. This, in effect, means Hockey India simply cannot afford to deny any state affiliation. Surely, next week, there is bound to be more action – off the field.