HI requests SAI not to allow WSH at National Stadium

NEW DELHI: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is considering a Hockey India (HI) request that leasing the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium for the un-sanctioned World Series Hockey (WSH) would disturb the national camp for the Olympic qualifiers that would be held simultaneously at the same venue from Dec 11.

HI secretary general Narinder Batra in a letter to SAI secretary Gopal Krishna on Tuesday said allowing Nimbus to host an un-sanctioned event at the National Stadium could upset the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which has assured the sports ministry that India won’t be de-recognised.

“The sports ministry has assured the FIH that it will not support any FIH un-sanctioned event and by this (allowing Nimbus to host WSH at National Stadium) it will be evident that the sports ministry is supporting FIH un-sanctioned event at the cost of training and preparation of the national team for the Olympic qualifier,” Batra wrote in the letter.

Krishna said that the request is being considered by SAI.

“Today we have received the letter and in a couple of day we will find a solution,” he said.

Batra also wrote that the men’s camp (starting Dec 11) and the women’s camp (from Dec 27) would coincide with the WSH, which will kick-off Dec 17 at the National Stadium. The WSH is promoted by both Nimbus and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF)

“If the stadium is given to Nimbus to conduct their league at the National Stadium then it would disrupt the training schedule of India’s men’s and women’s team for the Olympic qualifier. There will be total chaos and confusion,” he said.

The Olympic qualifiers for both men and women will be held simultaneously from Feb 15 at the National Stadium.