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New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) The ongoing tussle between two associations over control of the national game has drawn the attention of the Supreme Court which today expressed fear that Indian hockey team may lose its chance to participate in the Commonwealth Games as the team was not yet selected. "If entry is not made, India will lose a chance to participate in hockey event in Commonwealth Games," a Bench comprising Justices R V Raveendran and H L Gokhle said.
The remarks of the Bench came when it was informed that the team for both men and women hockey for the games was required to be selected by August 27 as the deadline for making entry is September 3. "A team should have been put in place and by now they should have time for training," the Bench observed.
The Bench noted that there was great urgency for selection of men and women team for Commonwealth Games and asked the Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to take instruction from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in this regard and posted the matter for further hearing in August 27. Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Hockey India (HI) are locked in a battle for controlling Indian Hockey with both of them claiming to have recognition from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for nominating team for participation in international sport events.
The apex court on August 17, in an interim order, had rejected Government''s claim and allowed Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to send women''s team to participate in the World Cup in Argentina. The Bench had passed the order after Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports failed to produce any written communication to buttress that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) recognised it for sending the team for world cup beginning on August 26.
HI had succeeded in placing before it a communication by the FIH which said that it only recognises HI to represent Indian team in international event. Webb Roger, the acting Director General of FIH, in the communication had made it clear that only HI can send a team to participate in the Women''s World Championship.
However, when the matter was taken today, Solicitor General said the Government has taken steps that only IHF was recognised body. "We have asked the IHF to represent to the international body (FIH), he said.
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