Remove ‘India’ from HI, says sports minstry

It’s a saga that seems to go on forever. The latest is that the sports ministry has ‘advised’ Hockey India (HI) to change its name, as it is no longer a government-recognised body.

On a day when the International Hockey Federation (FIH) remained firm and pledged its support to HI, asserting that it will not affiliate the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), this decision by the ministry may badly hurt HI. To further add to HI’s woes, the ministry reiterated to FIH that HI will not be allowed to select or field the national team any more.

“HI has been duly advised to withdraw permission from the Registrar of Societies for the use of name ‘Hockey India’, which conveys the impression of government recognition or patronage.

No society can use the name of the union without the approval of the government. Since HI stands derecognised by the government, it has to change its name,” joint secretary, sports ministry, Injeti Srinivas said in the letter to the world governing body.

Earlier in the day, FIH president Leandro Negre admitted he was shocked by sports ministry’s constant urge to affiliate IHF, despite being aware that the body is non-compliant with FIH statutes. “We are bound by our statutes and cannot be compelled to act in its violation,” Negre said, in reply to the ministry’s letter last week informing them of HI’s disaffiliation.

Negre also informed the ministry that they have already requested HI to send the Indian team for the women’s World Cup, which begins in Rosario, Argentina, on August 29.

Peeved, the ministry shot off a strong-worded response to the FIH. “The formation of a national sports federation for any sport lies within the domain of the country concerned, and the international federation should not get directly involved in that process,”

Srinivas stated. “As already explained, HI has lost its national character and therefore cannot be allowed to select or field the national team anymore. We, therefore, once again request FIH to reconsider their decision and allow the IOA or the Sports Authority of India to field the Indian team in international competitions recognised by FIH,” he further added.
In the immediate future, this decision by the government puts India’s participation in the women’s World Cup under cloud.
HI, on their part, remained mum, while the IOA officials were not available for comment. “We have received the affiliation papers from the FIH yesterday (Sunday). As far as the ministry’s order to change our name is concerned, I wouldn’t like to comment as the matter is sub-judice and up for hearing on August 19 in the Supreme Court,” HI president Vidya Stokes told DNA. The sports ministry maintained that IHF will soon comply with the FIH charter and ask for affiliation.
IHF, IWHF to finalise
merger on Aug 12
Even as the FIH and sports ministry find themselves at loggerheads over the affiliation of IHF, the KPS Gill-led body will be conducting a Special General Meeting on August 12 in New Delhi. The purpose of the meeting is to finalise the merger with Indian Women Hockey Federation and consequent amendments in the constitution.