NEW DELHI: It’s certainly not the best of times for Indian hockey. Reports of tension between players and the coach and the concerns over Hockey

India elections are enough to make the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which is seeking to revive the game in the country, worried.

However, FIH president Leandro Negre is not losing sleep over it. He’s optimistic that every problem facing Indian hockey will be sorted out in due course of time. Of course, he did reiterate on Friday that India would be barred from hosting the World Cup if they fail to have a democratically elected body in place before the tournament.

“India is key for world hockey but we maintain that as per our constitution, there should be an elected body before the World Cup. If they fail, we have to follow FIH constitution… hopefully that will not happen. I’m sure elections will be over before the World Cup,” Negre said.

The FIH president was in the Capital to sign a sponsorship deal with Steel Authority of India (SAIL), which he did in the presence of union minister for steel Birbhadra Singh, minister for state A Sai Prathap, steel secretary Atul Chaturvedi, SAIL chairman SK Roongta and Hockey India president AK Mattoo. This is FIH’s second major deal after the one with title sponsor Hero Honda.

Negre spoke to TOI about the World Cup and other matters related to hockey. Excerpts:

Tell us something about this new deal.

We signed an agreement today with SAIL, which will be our Presenting Partner. It’s not possible to give out details about the deal, but this contract, alongwith the one with Hero Honda, is something the types of which FIH had never signed in its history. Now the World Cup will be referred to as the ‘Hero Honda FIH World Cup, presented by SAIL’.

Are you satisfied with the response you are getting from corporates for the World Cup?

It’s hugely satisfying. I can assure you that the event is going to the best ever organised.

Indian hockey is going through some tough times – there are so many issues, ranging from the problem in the team to Hockey India elections. Are FIH bosses worried?

I am an optimistic person. I am sure everything will be solved at the right time. Certain things are not FIH’s concern, like what’s happening with the Indian team. It’s Indian hockey’s internal matter which they have to sort out. As far as the elections are concerned, the decision to postpone them was an unanimous one. India is a huge country with so many state units. We could have had the elections on November 18, but we postponed it to ensure the participation of more states.

And the venue for the World Cup? It’s yet to be handed over with just four months to go for the mega event.

I will be visiting the stadium on Saturday. Only then can I say how much progress has been made. I believe some small things like electricity connection are to be put in place before the test events. There have been delays but I am confident everything will be ready in time.

Will you stick to the new January-end deadline for HI elections or there’s still scope for another extension?

The deadline is end of January and the elections have to be held before the World Cup. I am calling all parties to show responsibility because this is going to be a great opportunity to fix the problems for good. The next assembly of Hockey India will elect the office bearers in a democratic and fair manner.

You always talked about having in place a Plan B as regard to the World Cup in case the Indian authorities did not put things in order. Does it still stand?

There’s no Plan B. Having one would be a negative way to approach the concerns. To be very honest, I must say all of FIH’s demands and wishes have been settled by the Indian authorities.

As of now, FIH seems to be interested in Indian hockey. But will the interest remain even after the elections and the World Cup?

We are here to help the Indian hockey. I believe we are doing just that. India is important for hockey as well as FIH. We are very eager to see India back on the top and we are doing our best to achieve that.