Bengal hockey chief wants early IHF election

The Bengal Hockey Association said it had the support of a majority of state bodies to persuade the Indian Olympic Association to hold elections to the Indian Hockey Federation at the earliest.

The Bengal Hockey Association (BHA) on Wednesday said it had the support of a majority of state bodies to persuade the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to hold elections to the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) at the earliest.

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BHA president JB Roy told reporters here that he has been authorised by 28 state associations to meet the IOA officials and ask for an early election.

"The IHF has been suspended and the matter is pending in the court. Due to the legal tussle, the affairs of Indian hockey are moving in a sluggish way. That is the reason why BHA and other state associations have taken it upon themselves to improve the state of the game in the country," he said.

While parading all the 28 representatives of different state associations, Roy said that he and other members will meet the IOA officials and request them to start the process of election.

"We have waited for nearly a year now. IOA president Suresh Kalmadi promised to hold the election as soon as possible but nothing has been done."

"There is no bar in holding elections. KPS Gill has filed a case challenging his dismissal as the IHF president. What has it got to do with election," he said.