IHF accuses FIH of breach of own statute to recognise HI

MUMBAI: The Indian Hockey Federation has accused the International Hockey Federation that its rival body Hockey India has been made a member of FIH through the back door without issuing a show-cause notice to its predecessor Indian Hockey Confederation.

In a letter to FIH president Leandro Negre as a rebuttal to the world body’s missive of March 9, IHF secretary Ashok Mathur has claimed that HI was given recognition by throwing to the wind FIH’s own statutes, as per a copy of a letter.

The IHF letter of March 12 stated that contrary to what has been depicted, “Hockey India did not come into existence until May 2009” and HI “did not and/or could not have legally provided an IOA ( Indian Olympic Association) endorsement or attestation in November 2008 (as required FIH statutes)” as HI was not in existence three years ago.

IHF has demanded an explanation about “how the FIH came to direct the IOA to establish Hockey India (as it appears it was so directed by a letter from FIH to IOA dated 24th July 2008).”

It wanted to know the basis and justification for FIH’s letter to IOA in November, 2008 offering its support for IOA’s establishment of Hockey India and for stating that “simultaneously the IHC (Indian Hockey Confederation) will cease to be a member of the FIH and FIH will formally recognise Hockey India”.