Sort out your mess by May: Negre to Hockey India

NEW DELHI: Hockey India has a realistic chance of saving the national team and the country from the ignominy of suspension from the international federation only until the end of May this year.

That’s the new deadline fixed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for the ad-hoc committee running the game’s affairs in the country to clear a slew of court cases and conduct elections to the national body. The consequences if the commitment is not met is suspension from the FIH and the national team barred from international competition at all levels.

“We will have a straight talk with Hockey India soon after the World Cup,” FIH president Leandro Negre told TOI in an exclusive interview. “I will be happy if all the problems are solved and the elections held by March. But I know that wouldn’t be possible. I will give them time until the end of May. If not, we will suspend Hockey India’s affiliation and ban the national team from any competition.”

Negre said he was willing to talk to those associations which are either at loggerheads or have sought legal help to assert themselves. “There are around 5-6 associations where there is a conflict. We plan to meet them and impress upon them to withdraw the court cases. We do understand their problem and hope to find a good solution.”

Negre said his organisation did not carry out the threat of moving the World Cup out of India if the elections weren’t held well ahead of the mega event only because Hockey India had finalised the poll schedule twice. “Then came the court orders which we couldn’t disobey. But once the World Cup is over, Hockey India will have to swing into action. We want a free, democratic election and will be monitoring the federation’s work closely.”

Negre said a strong federation was necessary for a number of projects the FIH had planned for the country. “India is very important to us. It’s crucial that a federation exists here that can help us put the game back on the rails.”

Explaining further, Negre pointed out that the FIH plans to reinvest all the profits netted from the World Cup – through the sponsors and other sources – for the India project.

“We are looking for doable plans to promote the game. A national federation helps a great in facilitating this. For example, we are very keen that the Premier Hockey League is revived in India. It is the best way to promote the game.”

In the executive board meeting scheduled here on March 15, the FIH will study a proposal on the club World Cup, a new concept that will pit champion clubs from every country in a global competition. “An Indian firm has a proposal which will be presented to us during the meeting. They say they have identified a sponsor too. They are also keen to organise the PHL which is fundamental for the game to grow in India.”

The FIH is also in talks with the Sahara group for sponsorship. “I met Subrata Roy (of Sahara) a few weeks back. We will be meeting him after the World Cup with a proposal, he has promised to support us.”