HI gets NOC from the government for elections

NEW DELHI: Hockey India on Tuesday said it has received a no-objection certificate from the Indian government to conduct its much-awaited elections on July 28.

The Sports Ministry had asked the national body to not go ahead with the election in the wake of a Delhi High Court ruling which reinstated the KPS Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

The IHF ruled the game in the country for nearly 15 years before it was disbanded in 2008 after allegation of corruption against secretary K Jyothikumaran.

“The government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has given its No Objection to the holding of the Elections of Hockey India. The Elections will be held on 28th July at New Delhi,” a Hockey India statement said.

The Sports Ministry has already appointed SK Mendiratta as the Election Observer while Retired High Court Judge R C Chopra has been appointed as the Returning Officer.

Hockey India had ratified the affiliations of 33 units, including four institutional boards, during its Special General Meeting, last month.

Since 2008, hockey’s national body is running without any democratically-elected set-up and its functioning is embroiled in utter confusion and controversy.

Hockey India had thrice postponed its elections in the past which had even irked the FIH.