SPORT-LD HOCK 2

"We administrators are there for the good of the game and
not for our own benefits. We are not there for politics or
fight court cases. For the last two years we have gone from
one deadline to other but we also have our statues to comply",
Ondarza said.
"HI has done everything except for holding clear and
transparent elections. We want hockey to be played on the
field not in courts. If these goes on then we will be forced
to do something," he said.
"We also have our commitments to other teams for the
World Cup. If within a few days time the matter is solved, I
personally will stand up for India before the FIH board. The
least we want is to hurt the athletes," Ondarza added.
The FIH vice-president also expressed astonishment over
the Delhi High Court's order that IHF was the sole governing
body for the sport in the country as it had de-recognised the
KPS Gill-led Federation way back in 2000.
"The court says IHF is the sole body for hockey in India.
How can I not be surprised when FIH has de-recognised IHF in
2000. IHF was governing only men's hockey in India but in 2000
we once again reminded that it should have a joint body, which
is the pre-condition of International Olympic Council. For us
IHF does not exist," Ondarza said.
"All other countries have formed a single joint national
federation in 2000 except for India. Subsequently, Indian
Hockey Confederation was formed but it was only in paper. You
have to make all understand that by doing this you are only
damaging the sport.
"We are not achieving anything by these court cases, we
are only hurting the athletes," he added.
The FIH official also said that if the matter was not
solved at the earliest, India also faces the risk of losing
the hosting rights of next year's Champions Trophy.
"We successfully hosted this year's men's World Cup here
and in our Executive Board meeting 10 days back in Nottingham
we decided to come here again with the Champions Trophy
because we wanted the momentum to go on. But if the situation
remains the same we will be forced to shift the tournament,"
Ondarza said.
HI secretary general Narinder Batra said the stay orders
compelled them to adjourn Wednesday's Annual General Meeting
at the half-way mark but expressed optimism of holding the
same at the earliest.
"As scheduled we started our AGM in the morning and even
held discussions on some agendas. But the stay orders later in
the day forced us to adjourn the meeting. But it will be held
at a later date when the stays are vacated," he said.
"We want to comply with FIH statues as soon as possible
because we know if we can't, India may be stopped from
participating in the women's World Cup," Batra added. More PTI