HI, IHF move closer

Uthra G Chaturvedi

The two rival national hockey units — Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Hockey India (HI) — on Thursday moved a step closer towards forming a unified body.

At the end of a five-hour long marathon meeting between the hockey administrators and top sports ministry officials, those involved in the talks said that the final stages of the merger was just round the corner.

“I think we need a couple of more sittings before all the issues are resolved,” said IHF president RK Shetty as he added that the main thrust of the meeting was to resolve the problems concerning the faction-ridden state hockey associations.

Hockey India secretary general Narender Batra too seemed on the same page. “The states issue is all sorted out, no worries. We are moving slowly but surely towards a solution.”

The clearest indications, however, came from Batra’s counterpart in IHF Ashok Mathur. Asked about how quickly a final decision is expected, he said, “We are very positive. Most likely by this weekend or latest by Monday, you can expect a good announcement that will put all speculations to rest.”