IHF’s response

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) does not want to function under the banner of Hockey India (HI).

While responding encouragingly to the Union Sports Ministry’s merger formula for the two warring groups in hockey, the IHF on Tuesday took the stand that if its name could not be retained then it would be better to have a brand new name for the proposed ‘merged’ body.

“There has to be give and take. HI has to relent. We don’t mind bending, but don’t expect us to crawl,” said the IHF President, R.K. Shetty on Tuesday. He said the IHF was agreeing in principle to the merger of the two federations.

The ministry had suggested a merger formula 10 days ago to both the groups, seeking a joint response within three days. While HI agreed to the proposals in its reply on the third day, the IHF sought an additional week’s time to formulate its response.

Immediately after “agreeing in principle” (as the ministry put it) to the Government proposals, the IHF had expressed its reservations in joining the new body and functioning under its name that could lead to a loss of identity for an eight-decade old federation.

However, on Monday while addressing a press conference in Bangalore, the Union Sports Minister, Ajay Maken, had said that the IHF would have to make do with the name of Hockey India.

He pointed out that the international federation (FIH) had told the Government that it recognised only Hockey India and he did not want to have any more problems with the administration of the game in the country with the Olympics not far away.

It now seems the IHF does not want to give an impression to the world that it would be willing to agree to a compromise formula without having an equal say in the matter.

It is learnt the IHF proposal seeks an equal number of 19 members for either body in the Executive Board, as against the 17 for HI and 16 for IHF as suggested by the ministry.

The ministry had also suggested that the elections to the new body be held in 2014 when the strength of the Executive would revert back to the original 17.

Mr. Shetty said that the issue regarding State units needed to be sorted out since the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had formed new units while floating HI.