SC okays HI’s women’s hockey team for WC

The Supreme Court will not allow squabbling over managing affairs of hockey to cost Indian women’s team the opportunity to participate in the World Cup in Argentina beginning on August 26. On Tuesday, the M S Gill-headed sports ministry suffered a setback as despite its decision to disqualify Hockey India (HI), the apex court permitted the team selected by HI and Indian Olympic Association to take part in the World Cup.

The interim order came from a Bench comprising Justices R V Raveendran and H L Gokhale after HI scored a vital point over sports ministry by producing a letter from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) stating that the latter recognised HI as the sole affiliate. The task of the Bench became easier when it learnt that players selected for the World Cup by HI and IOA were the same as identified and selected by Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The urgency shown by the SC in facilitating sending of the team to Argentina was spurred by the fact that after a gap of eight years, the women’s team had made it to the top 12 and earned the right to participate in the World Cup. HI sprung a surprise on the sports ministry in the court by producing a communication from FIH’s acting director general Webb Roger stating that HI alone could send a team for the World Cup as FIH recognised HI to select Indian team for international events.

The apex court’s interim order came on a petition filed by HI challenging the Centre’s decision to derecognise it for allegedly flouting guidelines relating to age and tenure of officials at the helm of affairs. The ministry had contended that since HI was a ‘private body’, it could not be authorised to select the team to represent India in the World Cup.

HI argued that it would be a national shame if the women’s team was not sent to the international event just because of politics in the sporting arena leading to the Centre disqualifying it. IOA supported HI and informed the SC that it could consider authorising HI to send the team for the World Cup. In its petition, HI has also sought revocation of a letter written by government to FIH about its decision derecognising HI.
Source:- The Times of India, 18th August Page 28 Delhi