Picture Credit: Twitter
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is irked about the Delhi High Court-appointed Committee of Administrators’ (CoA) decision of giving 20 weeks turnaround time to Hockey India to adopt a new Constitution and put in place a duly recognized and democratically-elected board. The global body has also threatened the Indian board with taking away the hosting rights for the Men’s Hockey World Cup slated to be held next year.
FIH has written a third letter to the CoA in regards to this matter and has expressed dissent at the decision made by the committee. FIH CEO Thierry Weil has said that it "cannot accept the turnaround time of 20 weeks" for Hockey India and wants the process to be completed promptly. Weil emphasized that the world body cannot give so much time to Hockey India to get back on its feet.
"We refer to your email of 22nd July, in which you mentioned that you will facilitate the amendments to the Constitution, holding of elections and handing over the affairs to the democratically elected body within 20 weeks from the date of Judgement. In this regard, we consider that to be an unsatisfactory reply...," news agency PTI quoted Weil saying in his letter to the COA.
"...we would like to reiterate once again that FIH cannot accept this turnaround time of 20 weeks. Please be advised that the Constitution's amendments and its adoption, as well as the holding of the elections to the Executive Board of Hockey India, will have to be held promptly," he added.
The FIH had also sought a "detailed timeline" from the CoA on the adoption of the amended Constitution and holding of fresh elections of Hockey India last Wednesday. Meanwhile, a three-member FIH delegation led by newly-appointed acting president Seif Ahmed is also expected to visit India on August 15 for an emergency meeting to check on the progress made with regard to the adoption of a new Constitution, which is a must to salvage the World Cup.
CEO Thierry Weil is still hopeful of hosting the World Cup which is to be held in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to 29. However, he has cleared that if things don’t work out in FIH’s next visit to the country, a ban on the Indian board is a possibility.