New Delhi/Lausanne, Sep 6: In a huge blow to India, the International Hockey Federation today stripped the country from hosting this year's Champions Trophy, prompting angry reactions from the hockey fraternity which called the development “unfortunate and uncalled for”.
The FIH announced that India will no longer host the 2011 Men's Champions Trophy due to ongoing problems with the governance of hockey in the country. A replacement host for the event is expected to be named within a week.
Soon after the surprise announcement, the hockey fraternity in India expressed dismay and described the development as a big setback and hamper the growth of the game.
The schedule and line-up of the 2011 Champions Trophy will be determined when the host is announced. However the event will take place during the same window of December 3-11.
With India no longer hosting the Champions Trophy, the country has been now invited to play in the Champions Challenge to be held in South Africa in November.
“We regret that we have to move the Champions Trophy from India. It is difficult for the teams, the organizers and the fans. But we feel that this is the only way to maintain the integrity of our sport,” said FIH President Leandro Negre.
According to the IOC statutes which are followed by the FIH, there can only be one governing body for any one sport in any country with exclusive authority and responsibility to govern, organize national competitions and to enter national teams in international competitions.
In India, Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey federation (IHF) have been at loggerheads for quite some time to control the running of the game in the country.
Sports Minister Ajay Maken said that he would try to convince Negre when he meets him on September 13 and try to change the world body's decision.
“It is a big set back for the country. I will try to ensure that the major hockey tournaments alloted to India remain with us and also try to unite the two warring fractions—Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) -- yet again in the larger interest of the game and the country,” Maken said.
He also promised that he would ensure that India did not lose hosting rights of any other major hockey tournament in the future.
“My main aim is to see that the Olympic qualifiers should stay with India,” he added.
Indian Olympic Association termed FIH's decision “uncalled for” and asked the world body to restore the high-profile tournament to the country.
“The decision is most unfortunate and uncalled for and we hope that FIH will rescind it and hold the tournament in New Delhi as per schedule,” acting president V K Malhotra said.
“The huge success of World Cup and hockey competition in the Commonwealth Games is a clear testimony of the popularity of the game and it needs further push and encouragement. FIH should talk to IOA, which represents the IOC in the country. I hope FIH will keep New Delhi as venue for the Champions Trophy,” Malhotra added.
Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation, the two group who are at loggerheads to control the game, and former players also criticised FIH's decision. PTI
