“The new body will be called Hockey India and will formally come into effect once the decision is ratified by the executive board of the IOA during its general assembly in November,” said Suresh Kalmadi, president, IOA. With this, the discrepancy between the administration of the game in India and on the international stage will finally be sorted out. However, no time-frame has been set for Hockey India to take charge of the game. “We will be meeting with several hockey people later today (after the final) and then decide about it,” Kalmadi said, when asked when elections would be held for the new body.

Asked if the court case filed by the previous IHF administration challenging its suspension would affect the formation and functioning of Hockey India, IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh said that though the matter is subjudice, once the FIH has recognised a body, there is no question on who controls the game. However, Gill would continue to be an elected member of the AHF council (till 2010) “but he will not be representing India at the meeting,” said Kalmadi.

Gill accuses FIH after India get 2010 World Cup

The game’s governing body said it has entered into an agreement with the IOA to organise the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi. But dissolved IHF president KPS Gill accused the FIH of breach of contract. Gill claimed the new agreement was invalid as there was already a deal between the FIH and Indian Hockey Confederation in this regard. “An agreement has already been reached between the IHC and FIH. How can IOA hold such a big event when the IHC is not going to exist and Hockey India is going to be formed?” he questioned, adding that “this meant the new body will have no role to play.”