Ric’s job is done, says FIH

Hyderabad, July 17: With Indian Hockey going through a period of major change, there are several issues that need to be resolved. And the presence of FIH president Els van Breda Vriesman in Hyderabad for a meeting with the IOA ad-hoc committee indicates the world body is serious about addressing these. While she remained non-committal on whether India would finally get to host the World Cup in 2010, Vriesman spoke to The Indian Express on several matters, including the latest controversy surrounding Ric Charlesworth.

What is the status of Project Indian Hockey?

• The project is well on track. The project director, Bob Davidzon, has completed his report and submitted his recommendations, copies of which are with us and the IOA. The project is now ready to be implemented and the IOA has to take charge of the operational part of the project. I hope it will happen soon.

Getting Ric Charlesworth to India was one of the important aspects of the project. What is the FIH’s stand on the issue after the recent controversies?

• As far as we are concerned, Charlesworth’s role as a technical advisor is over. He has completed his study, submitted the reports and finished his job. He was in India in the capacity of a technical advisor and he has given his views on the development of Indian hockey, which is confidential, and a copy of which is with Mohammad Aslam Khan in his capacity as the convenor of the IOA ad-hoc committee. As far as the FIH is concerned, he has finished what he came here for.

Does that mean that he will not be returning to India? What about his contract?

• Whether he returns to India or not is not up to the FIH now. It has to be decided by the IOA whether they want him to continue working in India. And on Ric himself, whether he wants to come back and continue working here. On our part, the FIH doesn’t have any more role to play in Charlesworth’s working in India. What we can do, and will do if asked, is help iron out any wrinkles in the deal that may be worked out between the concerned parties.

There has been speculation that Charlesworth’s appointment and his continuation with Indian hockey is intricately linked to India being finally awarded the 2010 World Cup.

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