Report: FIH casts doubts over World Cup in India

The organising body could look for alternative venues in the worst-case scenario.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has expressed concerns over Hockey India’s ‘ability’ to host the World Cup. This is because of the failure to respond to the multiple letters by the court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), sent by the governing body for the sport across the globe. India is the host country for the prestigious World Cup which is going to take place from 19 January 2023 onwards.

As a result of the breakdown in communication, the FIH is set to send a team of delegates including the FIH president Seif Ahmed of Egypt. Chief executive Thierry Weil has indicated that upon a non-satisfactory response during the meeting, the world body will consider alternate options for hosting the World Cup.

Crucial meeting

The team of delegates will hold talks with the representatives of the government. The outcome of the meeting will decide the next course of events. “The meeting in India, which we hope to have next month, will be crucial. If in that meeting, we do not get what we expect in terms of timelines for drafting the constitution and conducting elections, then we will need seriously look at other options.” Weil clarified.

Delays in drafting the constitution for Hockey India could lead to further actions from the world governing body for hockey. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) include the former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi, retired Supreme Court judge Anil Dave and former India international Zafar Iqbal. Delhi High Court placed Hockey India under a CoA for violation of the Sports Code in May after former player Aslam Sher Khan expressed doubts over the appointment of Narinder Batra as Hockey India’s ‘life president’.

Thierry Weil said in a letter sent to the CoA, “In all honesty, the fact that you have not reacted at all to our letter from last week is giving us concerns as to Hockey India’s ability to host the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup, which is of paramount importance for us. To that extent, should Hockey India Constitution-drafting and elections be delayed any further, this will seriously increase our concerns,”

Ignored and not listened to

“We have permanent daily contact with Hockey India on a working level regarding Pro League matches, and preparation for the World Cup. But from the CoA, we have not heard back even once and this is the third communication we sent to them. We feel ignored and not listened to,” Weil said while expressing his concerns.

The FIH’s stance is that Hockey India needs an elected functioning body and it may look for alternative venues for the World Cup if it fails to have one.

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