IOA rejects HI-IHF merger; FIH waits on

Updated on: 27 July,2011 08:48 AM IST |
Agencies |

A day after Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) reached an agreement to run the sport jointly, there were criticisms and confusions to follow

A day after Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) reached an agreement to run the sport jointly, there were criticisms and confusions to follow.

With Indian Olympic Association (IOA) rejecting it outright, the parent body of world hockey, FIH, sought for details of the arrangement before making a comment. IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the arrangement worked out at the behest of the sports ministry is an "exercise in confusion and futility".

"We don't want to open a Pandora's box which will lead to a total chaos in Indian sports," Malhotra said. "IOA will recognise one federation for one game and unless a unified body is formed to run hockey, it will not be acceptable." Malhotra said the IOA will never accept two co-chairpersons for one federation.

"This is not feasible and workable. The agreement is a blatant act enforced by the sports minister (Ajay Maken) who wants to earn some brownie points."

"This so-called skewed agreement also further strengthens IOA's stand that the government should stay clear from interfering in the affairs of sports bodies," Malhotra said.

Meanwhile, FIH, through a statement said that they were waiting for more details on the power sharing arrangement. "The FIH will receive comprehensive details about the settlement in the coming days."