Indian SC intervenes to resolve hockey disputes
The Supreme Court of India in a bid to settle the differences between Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation has intervened in the matter and directed the duo to hold negotiations with the sports ministry regarding the possibility of merging
the two disputed bodies into one unit.
The Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation are engaged in a dispute about holding the power of the country’s hockey. Both bodies were locked in a clash and arrogated before the court that they had the power to send teams in international tournaments and
both claimed that they were recognised by the International Federation of Hockey.
Conversely, hockey India had successfully submitted their written communication before the court, which elucidated that it is accepted by the FIH and have the right to constitute the teams for the country’s representation. The acting Director General of
FIH, Webb Roger had also made it clear in a written communication that Hockey India could send teams for the World Cup and other international events.
Earlier, Indian authorities had said that Hockey India is a ‘private body’ so it had no right to choose teams for country representation. However the court had refused to accept the claim of the Indian Government that the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) is
empowered to send teams for World Cups and other major tournaments.
The apex court countenanced the Hockey India and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to pick out men’s and women’s squads for Asian Games commencing from November 12th in China. Two judges of the SC’s bench, Justice H L Gokhle and Justice R V Raveendran asserted
that its previous order passed on August 25 and 27, which had allowed IOA and HI to choose the hockey teams for Commonwealth Games would also be applicable for Asiad.
This verdict is based on the same concept as was prevailing before the Supreme Court prior to the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. The Bench had taken the decision following the confession of the Indian Hockey Federation, which accepted before the court
that it was not associated with the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Meanwhile Indian Olympic Association (IOA) also expressed their perspective by saying that it only acknowledged Hockey India as a national body.They prayed before the court that as
a governing body of the sports they conceived recommendations from affiliated federations to choose the teams for upcoming events.
Supreme Court of India asseverated its previous order in which it observed that all stake holders including International Olympic Association (IOA), Hockey India (HI), and Sports Authority of India (SAI) were agreed for picking out teams by National Selection
Committee (NSC). The Committee was comprised of ex-players including Ajitt Pel Singh, Balbeer Singh, Govineda, Zafer Iqbal and other legends. The Ministries of Sports and Youth Affairs failed to convince the court that the International Olympic Association
could resolve matters related to the participation of teams in the world tours.
The Sports Ministry of India, in a dramatic move, changed its stance and withdrew its previous decision of conceding the recognition of Hockey India. It claimed that the governing body had ridiculed the directions related to age limits of office-bearers.
It said in reply to the government’s objection that the show cause notice was indefensible. Earlier the High Court noted down that Hockey India was a private body and could not conduct organizational elections, however the court later had given permission
to carry on the polls.
The court has also given a deadline of four-weeks for submitting testimonies and fifteen days for filling a riposte. The bench of SC also maintained that the matter would be disposed in December, the last month of the current year in the best interests of
sport.
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