FIH backs Hockey India

M.S. Unnikrishnan

Tribune News Service

Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) has reiterated that it has already recognised Hockey India “as a recognised body for the management, control and promotion for hockey in India, duly recognised by the IOA (Indian Olympic Association), based on the Olympic Movement/Charter and FIH statutes”.

International body writes to sports ministry

Says HI only recognised body

‘IHF, IWHF in non-compliance with FIH’

Also adds that IWHF already merged into HI

Asks Hockey India to send women’s team for WC

Ministry sticks to stand, says HI has lost ‘national character’

FIH president Leandro Negre, in a letter addressed to the secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has stated that “we have in the past specifically communicated to Hockey India and IHF (Indian Hockey Federation) and have openly stated the correct position as per the FIH statute that only that body, which is in full compliance with the FIH statute that is a sole body that governs both men and women hockey, and which meets the requirement of FIH statutes shall be recognised for the management, control and promotion of Hockey (in India)”.

Hockey India put a democratically elected body in place recently when Vidya Stokes and Narinder Batra were elected as the president and secretary-general, respectively. Negre pointed out that the IHF “was de-recognised by us way back in 2000 as both the IHF and the IWHF (Indian Women’s Hockey Federation) were in complete non-compliance of the FIH statutes and regulations”. “In the best interest of hockey in India, we recognised the Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) in 2001 on the basis of representation made by the IHF and the WHFI that the IHC is the sole governing body to govern both men and women hockey in India. We were shocked when we found in 2008 that the IHF is a defunct and non-existent body and we were compelled to de-recognise the IHC, i.e Indian Hockey Confederation”, Negre added.

He said Hockey India was formed in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and the IOA, which was recognised by the IOA in May 2009, FIH in June 2009 and the Ministry in August 2009. “Hockey India had complied with all the requirements of the FIH, except elections, but on August 5, 2010, Hockey India elections were conducted by a retired High Court judge, IOA observer and in the presence of FIH observer Antonio Von Ondarza, and we have noted this compliance on the part of Hockey India and is satisfied with this compliance”, Negre added.

“Strangely enough, you are calling upon us to recognise the IHF, which was de-recognised by us way back in 2000. We are further shocked to note that in spite of being completely aware that the IHF is non-compliant with our statutes and in spite of the fact that it was de-recognised by us in the year 2000 and further the IHC, floated by the IHF and the IWHF was derecognised by us on the ground that it was a defunct body, you are now calling upon us to recognise the IHF. Please note that the IWHF has already merged into Hockey India in 2008, and in view thereof, the IHF and the IWHF merger is not possible”, the FIH chief elaborated.

Negre said Hockey India was the sole recognised body, and therefore, “We sincerely request you to support and co-operate with the decision taken by the FIH. He also revealed that the FIH had asked Hockey India to send a team for the forthcoming Women’s World Cup in Rosario (Argentina) “so that India is represented”.

But in reply to Negre’s letter, joint secretary Injeti Srinivas clarified that the Ministry had recognised the IHF as the sole National Sports Federation for hockey in India in the light of the court orders, which has been accepted by both the the IOA and the HI.

“Moreover, HI had declared before the courts, including the Supreme Court of India, that they are a private body and not amenable to writ jurisdiction. Since the functions of an NSF fall within the realm of public duties, it is not tenable for a private body to carry out these activities”, Srinivas noted.

He further pointed out that consequent upon de-recognition of HI by the Ministry, the Registrar of Societies of Delhi, with whom the HI is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, has been duly advised to withdraw permission from the society for use of the name of Hockey India, which conveys the impression of Government recognition or patronage “Under the Names of Emblem Act, 1950, no society can use the name of the Union without the approval of the Union Government. Since HI stands de-recognised and is no more authorised to function as the NSF for hockey in India, it has to change its name and revise its Memorandum of Association to fit with its private character”, Srinivas pointed out. He said the HI had lost is national character and therefore cannot be allowed to select or field the national team anymore. But Negre emphasised that the FIH was bound by its statutes and it cannot be compelled to act in violation of its statutes, and therefore, Hockey India would be the only body with whom it would do business.