FIH warns players not to take part in unsanctioned events

NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of its disapproval to World Series Hockey launched by Indian Hockey Federation and Nimbus, the FIH has warned member associations, players and other individual organisations under its jurisdictions not to take part in unsanctioned events.

The International Hockey Federation had in January issued warnings to the players not to take part in the World Series Hockey launched by IHF and Nimbus, saying that it does not recognise the event.

The new FIH regulations, which came into effect from March 11, also asked the national associations not to permit an athlete from other national bodies to participate in an event that it organises or sanctions unless he or she has obtained a no objection certificate from his home association.

According to the FIH regulations, a sanctioned event means any domestic event organised or sanctioned by the relevant continental federation or national association or the FIH.

Under the new regulations, the national federations must take disciplinary action against any organisation, athlete, technical official, umpire, coaching and management staff, or other individual under its jurisdiction who fails to comply with the prohibition.

The regulations further stated that the governance of sport of hockey is organised in a pyramid structure with one national association recognised and admitted into membership of the FIH as the sole and exclusive national governing body for each country where the sport is played.