HI asked to keep elections on hold

NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Ministry has told Hockey India (HI) to keep the process of elections to the body in abeyance till such time it gained clarity on the matter in consultation with the Law Ministry.

In a communication to HI on Tuesday, the ministry wrote: “In the light of the High Court judgement…whereby … the court has quashed the suspension and disaffiliation/de-recognition orders [against Indian Hockey Federation] passed by Indian Olympic Association and Union of India you are advised not to take further action with regard to holding of elections till the entire matter is examined in consultation with Ministry of Law.”

Not affected

HI Secretary Narinder Batra had claimed that his body was not affected by the court order since HI was the only federation recognised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to run the game in India. He had also stated on Monday that HI was planning to hold elections in June or early July.

Both IOA and the Government have been asked by the court to meet the “principles of natural justice” if they wanted to invoke and maintain their disaffiliation/de-recognition orders against the IHF. The court quashed all their 2008/2009 orders on the ground that no show cause notice had been issued to the IHF. — Special Correspondent