Competitions body tells HI to demarcate functioning

Competition Commission has rejected charges of abuse of dominance against Hockey India but said the organisation should ensure that its regulatory powers are kept separate from its commercial activities.

Competition Commission has rejected charges of abuse of dominance against Hockey India but said the organisation should ensure that its regulatory powers are kept separate from its commercial activities.

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While ruling out charges of abuse of dominance, Competition Commission of India (CCI) has expressed concern over possible transgression of lines between Hockey India's dual role as a regulator and an organiser.

"... the nature of the present system itself, with the possible conflict of interest between the regulatory and organising of events roles of Hockey India, has raised certain potential competition concerns in the mind of the Commission," CCI said in an order dated May 31.

The fair trade regulator has observed that "it would be appropriate if Hockey India were to put in place an effective internal control system to ensure that its regulatory powers are not used in any way in the process of considering and deciding on any matters relating to its commercial activities".

Transparent system
Besides, it has also asked Hockey India "to set up a streamlined fair and transparent system of issuing NOCs to the players for participating in events organised by foreign teams/clubs".