Centre tells IHF, FI to form unified body
New Delhi: In his effort to put up a unified hockey body, Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken has called for a meeting on Saturday of Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).
Maken told reporters on Thursday that accompanied by HI officials he went last month to meet former IHF president KPS Gill, now an advisor, but there was no solution.
HI has the recognition of the world body (FIH) while IHF, which was disbanded by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on charges of corruption, has been re-instituted by the court.
“Last month I went to meet Mr. Gill with Hockey India (HI) officials, but there was no result. I want them to come to a common ground on equal terms,” Maken said.
The Sports Minister said that he wants equal representation from both the associations in the unified body.
“I want equal representations from both IHF and Hockey India in the unified body. It is very important to have a unified body in place. I have called both the parties again Saturday and want them to come together on equal terms,” said the minister.
Maken added that the sports ministry is awaiting HI’s recommendations on having a foreign coach.
“Till date we haven’t received any names from HI. We appointed Harendra Singh earlier because he was recommended by HI. We are not against the appointment of a foreign coach, but first they have to provide us with some names,” he said.
Olympic preparations: Maken also announced that the government has earmarked Rs 258.39 crore for preparation of athletes under ‘Project Opex 2012’ for London Olympics.
Maken said based on the approved funding norms, which are at par with CWG-2010 scales, with further upscaling in certain areas such as lodging, nutrition, scientific support and daily allowance, the budget has been estimated for about Rs 258.39 crore for the period April 2011 to August 2012.
The Sports Minister also disclosed that Steering Committee chaired by Secretary, Department of Sports has finalised action plans in all the 16 disciplines. The Committee comprised of president and secretaries of the respective federations, national coaches, government observers, officers from International Sports Division, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
“In the first round of Steering Committee meeting, the list of core probables, foreign and Indian coaches, supporting personnel, duration and venues of National Coaching Camps, International exposures and qualifying competitions have been identified and finalised. The Apex Committee chaired by Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has held its meeting and given overall guidance to the preparations,” Maken said.
Elaborating on the coaching of athletes, Maken informed that the national coaching camps and international exposures in all the disciplines except swimming have been started. (Agencies)