Fall in line or face action, FIH tells Hockey India

NEW DELHI: In what has the potential to spark another controversy in Indian hockey, the world body FIH is believed to have — in a brief four-line letter — threatened to derecognize Hockey India if it does not disassociate itself from its current arrangement with the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), sources told TOI.

The HI and IHF had in July decided to join hands to end a three-year impasse in the sport, a move which was resented by the international body.

After voicing its reservation over the sports ministry-brokered truce, FIH earlier snatched away the 2011 Champions Trophy from India.

The development has come in the wake of a visit by FIH president Leandro Negre, who is slated to meet sports minister Ajay Maken as well as both HI and IHF officials on Tuesday over the fate of international events to be staged in India, including an Olympic qualifying tournament in the Capital.

Sources said HI secretary Narinder Batra flashed a letter from the FIH at a meeting with the sports ministry as well as IHF officials on Monday, in which the international body has warned HI to set its house in order or risk sanction.

“The letter was somewhat on these lines that the FIH would watch the developments for a few weeks. If HI does not take any action, they will be issued a notice which could result in derecognition,” sources said.

Interestingly, the IOA, which had taken steps to form HI after disbanding IHF in 2008, was not represented in the meeting. “Absence of IOA officials has created apprehensions that it might be playing a wait and watch game,” sources said. No official was available for comment.