Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Sports minister Ajay Maken said Wednesday that he has called Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) for a meeting on July 25 in a attempt to merge the two bodies and form a unified governing body for the national sport.

Maken said that if things don’t work out by July 25, sports ministry would take a decision on its own and inform the Supreme Court about it.

“I will not wait beyond July 25. We have called for a meeting with HI and IHF on July 25. A decision would certainly come out by then,” said Maken.

“We are calling the two bodies to give it a last try on merger but this will be the last meeting. If nothing comes out of it then we will take a decision on our own and inform the Supreme Court,” he said.

Asked what led to the failure of the talks, Maken said: “I was really hopeful that the merger would be successful. Unfortunately, it seems that inflated egos have taken over the national interest and the national game.”

Maken said he decided to give both the bodies a last chance after IHF President R.K. Shetty requested the ministry to discuss some of the finer points.

“On Saturday Mr. R.K. Shetty talked to joint secretary (sports) Injeti Srinivas and myself. He has also written a lengthy email to secretary, joint secretary and myswlf, where he has said that he would like to come again and discuss some finer points. He is also hopeful that we will be able to achieve what we wanted as far as good relations between the two warring bodies are concerned,” he said.

“So we will give it a last try since Shetty has himself written to us. But this will be the last time. We really want both HI and IHF to come together. We have given them enough opportunities, perhaps never in the past has the sports Ministry played such a proactive role,” Maken explained.