IHF rejects IOA panel

BANGALORE: The Indian Hockey Federation has summarily rejected the three-member committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association to decide who should govern hockey in the country.

Sources said the committee members – former Wrestling Federation of India president GS Mander, Indian Weightlifting Federation chief Birendra Prasad Baishya and Handball Federation of India secretary-general SM Bali – were involved in the collective decision by the IOA to disaffiliate IHF four years ago. “They were against us in 2008, how can we expect them to be with us now?” IHF sources asked.

While both IHF and HI had given written submissions, the August 21 meeting did not take place as IHF said they wouldn’t air their views to the committee and asked IOA to change the panelists. The meeting was postponed to August 30.