IOA criticises govt for leaving it out from HI,IHF talks

IOA acting President V K Malhotra said the ministry should have also taken the Olympic body into confidence.

“We also want one hockey body in the country. We have no objection if the government becomes a facilitator in the process but its jumping the gun and shooting from the hill is wrong and not acceptable,” he told reporters here today.

“Both the federations have approached us and written to us regarding the matter but the ministry has not involved IOA.

We are not invited for tomorrow’s meeting and we only came to know about it from the media,” Malhotra said.

Though Malhotra welcomed the ministry’s move to play the facilitator’s role,he said Maken’s warning of firm action against HI and IHF if it’s merger proposal was not accepted is a direct attack on the autonomy of the national federations.

“The government should not form a body. The minister (Maken) has warned that he will take stern action if the two bodies refuse to accept their proposal. It is not the way when the matter is subjudice..