IHF hits back at ministry for questioning polls

The Indian Hockey Federation today shot back at the sports ministry for expressing displeasure over its recently-concluded election, saying the government has no power to declare its poll process “null and void” as it has complied with all the stipulated guidelines.

IHF secretary general Ashok Mathur took strong exception to joint secretary in the sports ministry, Injeti Srinivas’ statement that the election process of the body, which was completed during a special general body meeting on Monday, was “null and void” for not complying with the government guidelines.

“We have adhered to all the criteria of the government. We are the first to accept the age and tenure limitation guidelines by amending our constitution. We also appointed a Retd High Court judge as Returning Officer, and took care of all points.

We held out election on October 3 which was also attended by the government observer. But we couldn’t declare the result because of a court case,” Mathur told PTI.

“The government was well informed about all the developments. Even the government observer was present during the merger of IHF and IWHF on August 12. We also informed the Registrar of Societies about the merger. So, how can the government say that we did not follow their guidelines.” “I was surprised at Injeti Srinivas’ statement in the paper today. Who is he to say that the election is null and void without going through all the facts,” Mathur insisted.

In a letter to IHF president, Deepika Kachhal, a director in the sports ministry had sought to know the authenticity of reports about the polls conducted on Monday and said the hockey body faces risk of derecognition if it was found that guidelines were not adhered to during the election process. —PTI