HI warns players against playing in IHF-organised national championship

NEW DELHI: Power struggle in the national game intensified on Thursday with Hockey India (HI) warning players against participating in next month’s men’s national championship in Bhopal organised by the rival Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

Reinstated by a recent Delhi High Court order, the KPS Gill-led IHF in a Special General Body had earlier this month decided, among other things, to host the championship in Bhopal from July 4-18.

Hockey India, which came into being last year following IHF’s disaffiliation, however, warned teams and players against participating in the “unauthorised” tournament.

“It may be noted that strict disciplinary action and penalisation as deemed fit would be taken against all those teams and players who participate in such kind of unauthorise tournament,” Hockey India President Vidya Stokes said in a statement.

“Hockey India has not given any permission for conduct of the men’s national championship at Bhopal from 4-18 July, 2010,” she added.

Insisting that HI is the only recognised hockey federation in the country, Stokes said, “Being the only recognised national body for both men and women hockey in India, it is the sole prerogative of Hockey India to conduct the national championships and also to grant permission for the holding of various domestic tournaments besides sending various teams to overseas competitions including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, World Cup and Olympic Games,” she said.