IHF ‘disappointed’ with HI move

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) stood “disappointed” and “let down” by the developments concerning World Series Hockey (WSH) on Tuesday.

The IHF, expecting Hockey India (HI) to reciprocate in the spirit that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) had promised during their meetings recently, was “taken aback” by the announcement of hockey camps to prepare the Indian team for the London Olympics.

“These camps have been announced only to scuttle the WSH. We have received assurances from the players that they would participate in the WSH,” said a senior IHF official.

“I am sure they will honour their commitment provided they are spared the HI diktats. The players have been gripped by the fear factor. This is not what we were assured by the FIH,” said the official.

The camp called by HI on Monday for 48 probables was uncalled for, the official said. He said he was not sure whether government sanction had been sought for such a camp.

HI had earlier indicated that a camp would be held from March 13 but revised the dates following the team’s qualification for the Olympics. It has submitted a fresh proposal to the government with March 5 as the new starting date.

An official from the SAI confirmed that the proposal would be considered on Wednesday. “There is merit in HI wanting a camp because it would be for the players who did not play in the qualifiers. They have to attain the same fitness level and obviously that can be done only at a camp,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nimbus Sport, the owner of WSH, asserted that no player had informed it about his unavailability for the professional league, starting at the Chandigarh on Wednesday.

The chief operating officer of Nimbus Sport, Yannick Colaco, said that all players who had signed contracts to play the WSH had confirmed their participation.

Colaco said the WSH would not stop because of any player’s unavailability. Every team had enough players and the game would go on, he added.

In reference to FIH president Leandro Negre’s statement that no player would be punished for playing in WSH, Colaco said he was glad that finally the FIH saw merit in WSH.

Colaco hoped that the IHF and HI would bury their differences and help in the growth of the sport in the country.