By Avishek Roy, IANS,
Hyderabad : International Hockey Federation (FIH) Friday said that Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC), representing both the men and the women’s body, will be the sole governing body of the sport and will be renamed Hockey India.
“The IOA ad-hoc committee has advised that it has provisionally recognised the IHC as the sole governing body for the sport and the official confirmation is expected in the IOA General Assembly in November,” FIH president Els van Breda Vriesman said here at a joint press conference with IOA president and ad-hoc committee convener Suresh Kalmadi.
“We always wanted that there should be only one body to run the game in any nation and we are happy that the amalgamation is finally happening. We are sure that Hockey India will take the game forward. We will work forward to bring the game to another level,” she said.
IOA had dissolved the K.P.S Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation two months back and handed over the reins to a five-member ad-hoc committee. With this amalgamation the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation (IWHF) will alo cease to exist.
Kalmadi said that the amalgamation process will start once the IOA general assembly gives its stamp of approval. He also said that issues such as the election for the new body will be discussed soon.
“All state level units will also have to brought under one body and the whole process will take some time,” she said.
Vriesman said that they are looking to start a new chapter with Hockey India.
“It was an excellent meeting with the ad-hoc committee. We (FIH and ad-hoc committee) are partners to take the game forward in the country. They are capable of running the sport. We will advise them whenever they need any help,” she said.
“The ad-hoc committee is doing an excellent job. They have organised the junior Asia Cup tournament here so well and in such a short time. We have got excellent feedback from the teams participating in the competition.”