New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) The J.B.Roy led faction Wednesday appealed to International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre to reconsider the decision to recognise the newly-formed Hockey India (HI), “formed undemocratically” with “members not associated with hockey”.
In a joint letter, Bengal Hockey Association (BHA) president J.B.Roy and Indian Women’s Hockey Federation (IWHF) secretary Amrit Bose told FIH their outfits represented 22 men’s and 20 women’s associations, constituting two-thirds of the majority of 70 state-level associations in the country.

“The joint body unanimously objected to the manner Hockey India was formed and was fully in favour of a democratic unified body for men and women. As apprised to you earlier, ideally the Indian Olympic Association should have called a joint meeting of both men’s and women’s state units and then formed the unified body,” the letter stated.

The meeting held at Amby Valley Sunday has authorised Roy and Bose to talk to the FIH for a proper appreciation of the situation.

“We appreciate your consistent stance that apart from the basic pre-condition of the unified body, it has to be democratically formed. There is evidence to show that Hockey India was formed undemocratically and with members who were never associated with hockey.”

The letter has expressed concern over media reports that FIH secretary general Peter Cohen has issued a letter “recognising Hockey India” and said “if that is true then there seems to be a communication gap between you and Mr. Cohen as you had clearly indicated to us that the mechanism to be adopted will be completely democratic. But the purported letter, if it is true would be seen as support to a completely undemocratic manner of functioning.”

Roy and Bose also submitted a copy of resolutions passed in the meeting signed by 42 members.

They sought a meeting with the FIH chief when he is in India next week.