Govt asks for details of IHF’s election process

The sports ministry has asked the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to provide details about its election process for it to be recognised as a national sport federation (NSF).

The IHF, after its amalgamation with the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation ( IWHF), has declared October 3 as the date for election, but the ministry has said it needs to come out with the nitty- gritties of the process.

“ You are requested to intimate the detailed schedule of election process, including the dates of notification, nominations, scrutiny, and announcement of candidates, etc, along with the name of the returning officer, urgently,” director Deepika Kachhal said in a letter addressed to IHF president KPS Gill. She said the status of IHF as an National Sports Federation ( NSF) depended on furnishing such information.

“ Please note that failure to follow the government guidelines will have an impact upon the recognition of IHF as the recognised sports federation. It is once again reiterated that NSFs are required to adhere to all government guidelines to be able to retain their recognition with the government.” The government has asked IHF to appoint a returning officer ( preferably a retired high court judge) to initiate the election process. It also wants a clear election schedule spelling out the date of filing of nominations, their scrutiny and withdrawal, publication of list of candidates and date of election.

Kachhal said the electoral college should be formed from a clear and transparent voter list and the voting should take place through secret ballot.

The government had recognised IHF as the NSF at the expense of Hockey India, when the latter defied the government regulations regarding age and tenure limitations by allowing octogenarian Vidya Stokes to contest for the post of president.

IHF, after its merger, had stated that it would adhere to the sports ministry guidelines regarding age and tenure limitations of office- bearers.

“ This reply was accepted by the ministry subject to the amalgamation of IHF and IWHF in accordance with the provisions contained in the Societies Registration Act 1860 and necessary amendments in the constitution of the amalgamated society so as to make it fully compliant with the government guidelines,” the letter said.

The ministry said it was yet to receive details of the changes which needed to be made.

When contacted, Gill said that the IHF will send its reply to the ministry on Tuesday.

“ We will give them all the details of the election process and the merger with the IWHF,” he told us . “ The voter list and electoral college will be decided in a week or so after which the list of candidates will be finalised.”