After much acrimony, fuelled by a three-year moratorium on the local league, the Bombay Hockey Association (BHA) and the breakaway Hockey Association of Mumbai (HAM) today announced they have decided to bury their differences. There can be only one reaction to this decision, arrived yesterday after a series of meetings between the two groups better sense has prevailed.A release, signed jointly by BHA and HAM officials, said: ``While BHA appreciates the efforts and sincerity displayed by HAM officials in this unifying process, HAM sincerely thanks DS Bakshi, president of BHA, KL PAssi, secretary, and CS Chedda for the initiatives taken and understanding displayed during the talks. All existing differences have been resolved amicably."

All teams, players and officials were welcome back to Headquarters, the release added. As a positive gesture that can only cement thepact, BHA has decided to appoint former International Iqbaljit Singh (of HAM) as coach of the Mumbai team. The move should be a prelude to a more democratic delegation and distribution of administrative and executive posts -- one of HAM's chief demands.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Olympian Joaquim Carvalho, one of the HAM founders, said, ``We decided it was time we pooled our talents and worked for developing of the game. Our first priority would be to lay the turf.''