No question of recognising IHF again, says FIH official
August 7th, 2010 - 8:56 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) International Hockey Federation (FIH) vice-president Antonio Von Ondarza said Saturday that the international body will only recognise Hockey India (HI) as the custodian of the sport in the country and not the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF)as decreed by the Indian sports ministry.
Speaking to IANS from Monchengladbach in Germany, Ondarza said the FIH will stick with HI come what may and there was no question of recognising IHF which was derecognised in 2000 after it failed to merge with the women’s federation as per FIH’s rule of country one federation.
“We will continue to recognise HI as the official body of the sport in India. We recognise it as it is also affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). There is no question of recognising IHF again,” said Ondarza, who was here to oversee the HI elections Thursday.
The sports ministry has asked FIH to recognise the K.P.S. Gill-led IHF as the sole governing body of the sport and asked the world body to follow suit.
The sports ministry’s decision came a day after it withdrew provisional recognition of HI for not holding the election as per the government guidelines.
The ministry, in its letter to FIH president Leandro Negre, said: “The Government has derecognised Hockey India by a speaking order on August 5, 2010, a copy of which has been endorsed to you. As such, HI is no more the recognised National Sport Federation (NSF) for management, control and promotion of hockey in the country, and is also not authorised to select and field the national team in international competitions.
“In view of this development, the IHF stands recognised by the government as the sole NSF in India in the light of the judgement dated 21.05.2010 of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in a writ petition, which has also been accepted by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as well as the HI before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi.”
IHF was disaffiliated by the IOA in April 2008 and Gill was sacked following a cash-for-selection scam.
The Delhi High Court last month lifted the suspension and asked IOA and the ministry to recognise IHF as the sole authority for running the sport in the country.
- Sports ministry recognises Gill-led IHF (Lead) - Aug 06, 2010
- FIH rejects ministry's contention, backs Hockey India - Aug 09, 2010
- HI election: High Court forces govt to withdraw HI poll observer (Lead) - Jul 27, 2010
- Hockey India's claims meaningless, says Gill - May 23, 2010
- IHF, IWHF call special general meeting for merger - Aug 11, 2010
- Court allows Hockey India team to play in world cup (Lead) - Aug 17, 2010
- FIH lets HI defer poll date, government stalls process - May 25, 2010
- Ministry derecognised HI because Pargat lost: Batra - Aug 06, 2010
- IHF and IWHF form joint body, to hold election in October - Aug 12, 2010
- FIH asks sports ministry to recognise only Hockey India - Sep 29, 2011
- KPS Gill holds AGM of superseded IHF - Apr 25, 2010
- Courts stay HI election, FIH official holds out a veiled threat (Lead) - Jul 28, 2010
- IOA convenes HI-IHF meeting to address issues raised by FIH - Sep 30, 2011
- FIH president Negre to meet HI, IHF next week - Apr 07, 2012
- Reinstated by court, Gill vows to be back in action - May 21, 2010
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