When India almost lost the Qualifiers

Last year in July, sports minister Ajay Maken had intervened to break the deadlock between the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Hockey India (HI), for the development of the game in the country.

Last year in July, sports minister Ajay Maken had intervened to break the deadlock between the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Hockey India (HI), for the development of the game in the country.

Then, both factions had signed an agreement to set up a joint executive board, which would perform the function of the national sports federation.

But the decision to jointly run the affairs didn't go down well with the international hockey federation (FIH). It was of the view that only one body (HI) should govern the sport.

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Subsequently, the FIH withdrew the Champions Trophy hosting rights from India and allotted the event to New Zealand.

The world body had also threatened to cancel India's hosting rights for the Olympic Qualifiers and other major events. But, during its executive board meeting on November 12 at Lausanne, the FIH decided to conduct the Olympic Qualifiers in India. It also decided to recognise HI as the governing body.

The decision was conveyed to Maken by FIH president Leandro Negre.