IOA criticises govt for leaving it out from HI,IHF talks

The IOA hit out at the Sports Ministry for not involving it in merger talks to resolve the dispute between Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation.

A miffed Indian Olympic Association today hit out at the Sports Ministry for not involving it in tomorrows merger talks to resolve the long-standing dispute between Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation.

Sports Minister Ajay Maken has summoned the presidents of HI and the IHF for a meeting tomorrow to resolve the two federations feud over recognition and power-sharing.

IOA acting President V K Malhotra said the ministry should have also taken the Olympic body into confidence.

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We also want one hockey body in the country. We have no objection if the government becomes a facilitator in the process but its jumping the gun and shooting from the hill is wrong and not acceptable, he told reporters here today.

Both the federations have approached us and written to us regarding the matter but the ministry has not involved IOA.

We are not invited for tomorrows meeting and we only came to know about it from the media, Malhotra said.

Though Malhotra welcomed the ministrys move to play the facilitators role,he said Makens warning of firm action against HI and IHF if its merger proposal was not accepted is a direct attack on the autonomy of the national federations.

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The government should not form a body. The minister (Maken) has warned that he will take stern action if the two bodies refuse to accept their proposal. It is not the way when the matter is subjudice..