FIH vice-president and the observer for Hockey India elections, Antonio van Ondarza, officially declared the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) approval for postponing the Indian body’s elections till the end of January next year on Saturday, but concerns remain on the completion of the venue for the World Cup.

“I visited the stadium yesterday and I admit a lot of work is yet to be done. But I have been assured that the workers will make sure things are in order before the World Cup,” Ondarza said at a hurriedly convened meeting with the media. “I have been told that the stadium will be ready by December end or early January and we can even hold a test event before the big tournament,” he added, even though the new turf is yet to be laid at the venue.

The National Stadium, which will host the World Cup in the first week of March next year, is also one of the venues for the Commonwealth Games and work is progressing according to the CWG schedule. Hockey India president AK Mattoo said the new turf had already arrived in Mumbai and will be installed soon.

“We have also scheduled a four-nation test event from January 17-21 but the teams for the same are yet to be decided because of the ongoing World Cup qualifiers,” he said. He added that at least one pitch would be ready to use before the test event, while admitting that the complete stadium was unlikely to be in place till then.

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