The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Friday cracked the whip, directing Hockey India to “clear the mess” and “conduct elections” before the World Cup in March next year at all costs.
FIH vice-president Antonio von Ondarza -also the observer for Hockey India elections -held a series of meeting here on the day after the governing body missed the notification deadline for the November 20 election, which will now be held in the first week of February. Said a Hockey India source, “Since only 19 state units have been affiliated so far, there was no way that the elections could have taken place on November 18 as we had planned. On Friday, Hockey India proposed March end as fresh dates, but Mr Ondarza turned it down. He was clear that the elections would have to take place before the World Cup.”

The FIH vice-president — who met Hockey India president A.K. Mattoo, sports minister Manohar Singh Gill and Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi -also emphasised that the process would be considered null and void without the participation of all the affiliated state units.

FIH’s stern warning has pushed Hockey India into a corner. The body has done its best to keep a rival faction at bay, denying recognition to significant state members like Karnataka, Bengal, Punjab among others on one pretext or the other.

Said Karnataka State Hockey Association secretary K. Krishnamurthy, “The FIH had asked for a unified body for men and women in all the states.

We completed the formalities two months back but since Hockey India were not ready to listen, we decided to take up the matter with the FIH. Mr Ondarza gave us a patient hearing and we are glad our request has been heeded.”

Sports ministry jointsecretary Injeti Srinivas also wrote to HI two days ago, asking it to set up a mechanism to hear and resolve grievances of state units.

Mattoo on the day confirmed that elections will now take place in February. “Some of the state members have an issue, and we will sort out their grievances in the next two months. The process to grant affiliation is on and the FIH has been informed about it,” he said.

ASLAM KHAN QUITS Meanwhile, Hockey India were dealt another blow when secretary-general Aslam Khan resigned on Friday blaming the “politics involved” in the poll process.

Said Khan, “It was in August 2008 in Beijing that I told everyone, including Mr Kalmadi to put a elected body in place as was the FIH prerequisite.

“I had promised November 20 as the deadline to hold the elections. With the delay in finalisation of the member units in the state, I do not see the possibility of sticking to the deadline. I would not like to continue after the due date has expired.”

Khan also lashed out at Kalmadi’s allies for constant interference which “caused major delays in the smooth running of Hockey India”.

Sources confirm that Kalmadi was very keen to become president of the body, a move that has triggered an upheaval in Hockey India circles.

“Kalmadi’s insistence on becoming president has resulted in the delay,” the source said.

“Kalmadi wanted to keep everyone happy. He wanted to involve K.P.S.
Gill, who cannot see eyeto-eye with Narender Batra (front-runner for the secretary’s post).
Then he has also tried to bring in Amrit Bose to keep tabs on women’s hockey. These have led to the delay.”