Picture Credit: Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday has expressed having "full trust" in Hockey India (HI) but expects its member associations to follow the sports code of their respective countries. The Delhi High Court last month placed HI under review by a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) that comprised of Ex Supreme Court judge AR Dave and has former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi and ex-Indian hockey player, Zafar Iqbal, member for understanding the National Sports Code violations made by the federation.
The court ruling was a result of a petition filed by former India player Aslam Sher Khan, who had questioned the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra's appointment as a life member of HI.
"However, this situation does not affect FIH's full trust in Hockey India," Thierry Weil
FIH's chief executive officer Thierry Weil made a statement addressing the situation. The statement said, "It's 100% clear that every National Association (NA) has to make sure that its Statutes are compliant with the sports code of the local authorities. Therefore, if this is not the case for Hockey India at the moment, then this has to happen. However, this situation does not affect FIH's full trust in Hockey India."
Weil then addressed the importance of HI in the development of the game around the world. "Indeed, Hockey India has been and continues to be a key actor of the development of our sport, not only in the country but also for the world, as an outstanding organiser of numerous FIH events," He said.
The Delhi HC has deemed Batra’s appointment as HI's life member and Elena Norman as CEO as illegal activities and thus the administrative setup of the national body was wrong or illegal.
"Hockey5s is a great lever to boost the growth of hockey at the global level," Theirry Weil
The FIH and Theirry Weil also announced that India will host the would be hosting the first Hockey 5s World Cup in 2024 which will give the audience a new and exciting version of hockey and encourage youngsters to pick up the sport.
"Hockey5s is a great lever to boost the growth of hockey at the global level. Thanks to its less restrictive infrastructure - smaller field - but also to the required number of players, the practice of Hockey5s can be a real development asset for many nations in the world," he said.
"Developing the sport is the number 1 mission of any international federation. The same goes for FIH. This is why, among other things, the FIH has decided to create a Hockey5s World Cup (first edition in 2024).”
"In addition, the size of the field also makes it possible to anchor the Hockey5s in the heart of cities, giving it an urban dimension that is very fashionable and attractive, especially among young people. Finally, Hockey5s is an excellent springboard, a 'gateway', to 11-a-side hockey," Weil added.