Setback in Indian hockey's unification process

Hopes of unifying India's two warring hockey bodies have suffered a setback after some players were enticed away from a national team camp to attend a promotional event for the rival body.

Hopes of unifying India's two warring hockey bodies have suffered a setback after some players were enticed away from a national team camp to attend a promotional event for the rival body.

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Officials of Hockey India, which is the internationally recognized body, were fuming Friday when five top players left the camp in Bangalore to attend the event for the city-based World Series Hockey, which is being planned by the Indian Hockey Federation in partnership with private company Nimbus Sports.

The IHF lost official recognition in 2008 following bribery allegations and was replaced by Hockey India, but the IHF was revived by an Indian court order last year.

India's sports ministry is set to meet the two warring bodies on Monday in a last bid to unite them.