Supreme Court hearing on hockey affairs today

March 4, 2011: In yet another sequence of unending legal battles for hockey chair, there is another hearing in Supreme Court today.

In an earlier directive the Court has bound the Sport Ministry to work out a compromise between warring groups — Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation.

“As per the directive of the Hon’ble court we have convened both groups for discussion and tried to bring out a compromise. If they agree that will be a step forward in solving the long pending issue”, said Ajay Maken, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, said yesterday in his monthly press conference held at the Sports Authority of India office in New Delhi.

Sindhushree Khullar, Secretary, Sports, informed that she held meeting between the two groups 3, 4 times. And the indication she gave with regard to the outcome of these meeting was that both group are not relenting from their stated position.

Added the Minister, “Sometimes she had a good meeting, in others both were acrimonious”.

A top official who deal the matter conceded the compromise seems impractical, as both have sides have vested interests and stick to their stated positions. “Our job is to bring compromise, that is not happening, we will go to the Court and tell the fact as they exist. It is for the Court to direct us for the next step. Any case I feel nothing is going to move fast, the judge will follow his own phase. ”

He replied in positive when queried if in case the Court would ask the Ministry’s position will the ministry is ready with its own plan. “We can’t let you know the details, but if that directive comes, we are ready with our plans”, he said.

The official said categorically that the IHF election is a sham and is not acceptable to the Ministry. The IHF had claimed it had held its election and elected RK Shetty as its new president in place of KPS Gill. This has caught everyone by surprise.

The Supreme Court will hear the case today 16 hours.