Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) The newly-formed Hockey India and superseded Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) Sunday came together to work for the merger of men’s and women’s state units and hold elections within six months.
The K.P.S Gill-led IHF was superseded by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after its secretary general K. Jothikumaran was caught in a cash-for-selection scandal.

This could mean Gill’s return to hockey administration after staying out of it for 15 months.

Hockey India secretary-general Mohammad Aslam and Gill held a joint press conference here Sunday announcing the steps taken for the merger of men’s and women’s state units on the guidelines of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which had set a six- months deadline to form a unified democratic national federation.

“India’s performance in the Asia Cup and junior World Cup is disappointing and we felt that hockey should not be allowed to suffer,” Gill said.

“The meeting of IHF Sunday was attended by 20 state units and three Union Territories,” the former super cop said.

“We (IHF) have set-up a six-member committee to look after the modalities of the merger of the state units. The reverse process can start. All those members of IHF who have contributed to hockey for last so many years should continue in the new body,” Gill said.

The development was a big blow for Bengal Hockey Association president J.B.Roy who along with disaffiliated Indian Women’s Hockey Federation secretary-general Amrit Bose is holding another meeting at Amby Valley Sunday, claiming to have the support of 50 men’s and women’s state units.

Gill asked those units to join the process of merger.

“There are only five or six associations who have gone to Amby Valley. We request them to join the process so that a total merger can take place within 45 days.”

Hockey India secretary-general Aslam said they were in talks with IHF for a long time.

“This has not happened overnight. The procedure was in place for a long time. We have been in talks with IHF. We discussed a lot of issues as a part of the process. Now we will sit together and have the units in place. We have six months time in our hand, but sooner it happens, the better it is for hockey,” he said.

Asked whether Jothikumaran, who is the secretary general of Tamil Nadu Hockey Association, could be back on the Hockey India executive board, Gill reiterated that “all those who have worked for hockey should be associated in the development of the game.”

When asked about IHF’s court case against IOA in the Delhi High Court, Gill said: “Our advocates will get together and take care of it.”