Maken calls for internal meeting on FIH concerns

While there is little clarity either on the working of Indian hockey or about who holds the reins of the sport at the moment, Sports Minister Ajay Maken has said the ministry has taken cognizance of the problems in the sport.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Maken said the government was looking into the objections raised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on the temporary power-sharing formula between Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to run the game in the country.

“FIH has expressed concern over the proposed settlement stating that it would go against their statute, which provides for a sole national governing body in each member country. The entire matter is under consideration,” he said.

The FIH had threatened to withdraw all international tournaments from India until the matter is resolved and said that the agreement between HI and IHF was not in compliance with the Olympic Charter and the FIH Statutes. FIH president Leandro Negre has also called for a meeting with the sports minister and the presidents of HI and the Indian Olympic Association.

Ministry sources said that even though Maken was tied up with the ongoing Parliamentary session, he had already called for a meeting with the sports secretary and joint secretary to discuss the matter. “Although an actual date has not been finalised, the minister has already called for a meeting with concerned officials and will meet up soon to discuss the matter,” the source said.