Indian Olympic Association raises objection to recent merger between HI and IHF – Hockey News
Yesterday’s acceptance of both the federations to work as one unit has been disapproved by the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), V K Malhotra today, on July 26 in New Delhi.
This temporary merger between the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Hockey India (HI) that was enforced by the Sports Minister, Ajay Maken, is an intentional act by him to earn credit over attaining something that was hard to accomplish.
The proposal was accepted by HI and IHF after a meeting that was held yesterday, July 25, at the Sports Ministry’s headquarters in Delhi.
According to IOA, such a merger will bring in new problems each day. Malhotra condemned Maken’s effort and commented, "Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation agreement is exercise in confusion and futility, so it is difficult to continue with the merger.
In his bid to be seen as a minister in action, he has become minister in distortion."
According to Malhotra, such a decision has caused IOA to stick by the fact that government must not meddle in the matters concerning the sports bodies.
Moreover, even though the two bodies have agreed to join hands in the near future, such an agreement will allow them more chances to create space among other sports bodies.
With the rejection from IOA, the merger has a risk of turning into a reality. The dark side of this unification is that it will raise a huge question regarding the holding of the unsanctioned league, World Series Hockey (WSH).
According to what the ministry has decided for the two federations was stated in the minutes as, "The ministry would now grant provisional recognition to HI as national sports federation and maintain status quo in respect of the recognition of IHF as the
national sports federation for hockey up to December 31, 2012."
Earlier this month, on July 15, both the bodies were made to discuss upon resolving their issues but due to the last minute demands from the IHF, both the bodies failed to resolve the matter.
Over the successful merger, Maken believed that this arrangement will prove helpful in ending the uncertainties being faced by the players regarding their participation in international as well as domestic events.
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