Hockey: FIH warns India of Olympic ban

Federation not in favour of parallel hockey bodies.

NEW DELHI: Hockey’s world governing body has warned India that they could miss the London Olympics even if they qualify, due to an ongoing tussle over who runs the sport in the country.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) said it was not in favour of a settlement brokered by the Indian sports ministry that would see rival bodies Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) jointly run the game.

FIH President Leandro Negre said his federation only recognised HI as the governing body for hockey which had sole authority to enter national teams in international events. The FIH also wants the Indian government to settle the money owed to it for organising the World Cup in New Delhi last year.

“If the above is achieved, there will be no more concerns about the participation of Indian hockey team in FIH-sanctioned competitions such as London 2012 Olympic Games,” said Negre.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2011.