Hockey India, the federation that runs hockey in India, had promised the FIH that they would hold their election before the World Cup. But there’s still no sign of the election.
The hockey World Cup, which recently concluded in Delhi, was a hit in many ways. It attracted Rs 12 crore in sponsorship, the Indian team did better than last time, and the crowds turned up. But that’s not enough to make Leandro Negre, chief of the international hockey federation, relax his tough stance against Indian hockey administrators. Hockey India (HI), the so-called federation that runs hockey in India, had promised the FIH that they would hold their election before the World Cup. But there’s still no sign of the election. The FIH has given HI an ultimatum: elect your officials, else India will be barred from international competitions.
When Open asked Negre if the FIH was serious about the threat, the former Spain goalkeeper said, “Yes. We cannot have Mickey Mouse people in charge of hockey. If Hockey India does not get organised, we will have to suspend India.”
More Columns
Forever Yours Kaveree Bamzai
Battlefields of the Mind Kaveree Bamzai
Punjabi by Nature Rachel Dwyer