Hockey in India to be managed by a Single Administrative Body

A deal was struck in a meeting between Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president RK Shetty and Hockey India (HI) secretary Narinder Batra on 25 July 2011, according to which hockey will be managed by a single administrative body in India.

The deal struck is expected to This will help thwart an increasingly aggressive sports ministry from taking a decision on the sport’s future into its hands as well as streamlining the preparations for 2012 Olympics.

As per the new agreement signed, a Joint Executive Board (JEB) is to be put in place which will be responsible for India’s representation in all international and national events. The JEB will have 39 members (20 from HI and 19 from IHF) while a joint Working Committee of eight members (4 each) will be formed simultaneously, and include joint sub-committees, to look after other areas.
Both HI and IHF will continue to exist simultaneously in the country. However the joint working committee will govern hockey like selecting, training and fielding teams in international events and conduct national tournaments, including the national championships.

Salient points of the deal include:

•    IHF and HI to continue to be separate legal entities.
•    HI and IHF shall set up a Joint Executive Board (till 31-12-2012) consisting of the existing Executive Boards of HI and IHF for the purposes of holding annual national championship, selection of the national team in different categories, preparation of the national team and participation of the national team in FIH approved international tournaments.
•    The JEB will be responsible for all decisions pertaining to selection of the national team, selection of the coaching and other personnel and drawing up the teams’ calendar.
•    IHF will be equally represented on all committees for this purpose of selection. A Joint Working Committee consisting of the presidents of HI and IHF and three members each from HI and IHF will also be formed.
•    National Championships will be jointly held by IHF and HI after holding joint selection of state teams.
•    The name of HI would be changed.
•    JEB to be chaired by the HI president and co-chaired by IHF president.
•    No restrictions on participation of players in WSH contracted before 01.04.2011, subject to training schedule and duration for which players can be spared.
•    Provisional recognition to HI as National Sports Federation and status quo for recognition of IHF up to 31 December 2012, subject to setting up of the JEB and JWC within seven days of grant of recognition and the JWC initiating process of change of name of Hockey India.