Play in IHF nationals and pay the price: HI
The struggle for power in the national sport intensified on Thursday with Hockey India warning the players against participating in next month’s men’s national championship in Bhopal organised by the K.P.S. Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation.
The IHF — reinstated by the Delhi high court recently — in their special general body meeting had said the nationals would be held in Bhopal from July 4 to 18.
Hockey India, which came into being last year following IHF’s disaffiliation by the Indian Olympic Association, however, warned teams and players against participating in the “unauthorised” tournament. “It may be noted that strict disciplinary action and penalisation as deemed fit would be taken against all those teams and players who participate in such kind of unauthorise tournament,” Hockey India President Vidya Stokes said in a statement here on Thursday.
“Hockey India has not given any permission for conduct of the men’s national championship at Bhopal from July 4 to 18,” she added.
Insisting that Hockey India were the only recognised federation in the country, Stokes said: “Being the only recognised national body for both the men and women hockey in India, it is the sole prerogative of Hockey India to conduct the national championships, and also to grant permission for the holding of various domestic tournaments, besides sending various teams to overseas competitions including the CWG, Asian Games, World Cup and Olympic Games.”
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