FIH turns down govt demand

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Saturday made it clear that it will only recognise the national federation which abides by the world body’s guidelines. The sports ministry shot off a letter to FIH on Friday, stating that it has given recognition to Indian Hockey Federation as the sole National Sports Federation to run the sport in the country.

In its letter, the ministry also intimated the world body of its decision to derecognise Hockey India, which completed its elections on Thursday with FIH Vice-President Antonio von Ondarza as the observer for the poll process.

Asked about the game’s governing body’s future course of action on the matter, FIH Communications Manager Arjen Meijer said, “Only a national hockey association that is in confirmation with the FIH statutes can be recognised as the official national body for hockey in its country,” the FIH official said.