A delegation from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is in the capital to discuss the way forward and avert a possible suspension of Hockey India, currently placed under a committee of administrators (CoA).
The two-member delegation, led by newly-appointed acting president Seif Ahmed, arrived here on Monday for an emergency meeting to assess progress made with regards to the adoption of a new constitution at Hockey India. India is scheduled to host the 2023 men’s hockey World Cup.
The FIH delegation is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Delhi High Court-appointed three-member CoA here on Wednesday. The delegation is also scheduled to meet senior sports ministry officials, besides top officials of the Odisha government, the hosts for next year’s World Cup.
The FIH had last month sought a “detailed timeline” from the CoA on adoption of an amended constitution and holding of elections at HI.
If Hockey India fails to adopt a Sports Code-compliant constitution at the earliest, the country runs the risk of losing the hosting rights of the World Cup, scheduled to be held from January 13 to 29.
According to a source, the required amendments in HI’s constitution have already been made and elections to the executive board of the sports body are expected to be held on October 1.
“The amendments to the HI constitution, as per Delhi High Court’s orders, have already been done and they will be placed before the FIH on Wednesday,” the source said.