In a major victory for the disaffected state associations, Hockey India elections have been postponed till the first week of February 2010. The decision was taken after a meeting of Hockey India president AK Mattoo with FIH vice president and observer Antonio van Ondarza on Friday. “Some objections were raised to the affiliation process and we do not want anyone to think the elections were not fair. The time till February is only to ensure that any objections that may be raised even after addressing the current issues are dealt with before going to polls,” Mattoo said.

States like Punjab, Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, besides others, had met Ondarza and IOA president Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday and objected to being denied any participation in the election process. The decision means though an elected federation is likely to be in place before the World Cup in March, there will hardly be time for any major work by the new body. Also, with HI secretary Mohd Aslam Khan resigning, the present office bearers have to look for his replacement.

“Actually, we are all appointees of the IOA and not elected members, so a resignation doesn't mean anything. That said, I did not expect him to put in his papers at this juncture. However, I will meet other members of Hockey India and take a decision by Monday on what to do about a replacement,” Mattoo said.