PtG Article 30.07.2009

Indian hockey team may face ban from own World Cup

An ongoing controversy surrounding the reorganisation of the Indian national field hockey federation, Hockey India, could result in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) barring India from taking part in next year's Hockey World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Indian capital New Delhi.

According to reports, FIH president Leandro Negre delivered the threat during a meeting with rebels within the federation who claim that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) acted undemocratically by disbanding national and regional organisations to form Hockey India.

It is claimed by high ranking officials within Indian Hockey that unless elections take place within the organisation by the end of October, the national team will be barred from the tournament.

SOURCE: Inside the Games