Hockey India ask for Punjab proof

New Delhi: Hockey India (HI) has certain objections to the election procedure adopted by Hockey Punjab (HP), and that is the main reason for not granting affiliation to the state unit straightaway.
HI president Ashok Mattoo has written to former India captain Pargat Singh, who is the secretary-general of the Punjab unit, clarifying the position of the national body.
“There is an affiliation committee to look after the affiliation of the state units after the members are fully convinced about their unification. HP is not the only case. Many states are yet to be granted affiliation due to certain queries raised by the committee,” Mattoo wrote in his letter to Pargat.
HI chief’s reply came after the HP officials, headed by deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, claimed that they were not being granted affiliation despite fulfilling all norms, terming it a ‘politically motivated scam’.
“When you met Mr Narinder Batra (treasurer), he apprised you about the complaints which have been received from different quarters who (sic) have raised doubts about the authentication of the formation of Hockey Punjab,” Mattoo clarified in his letter.
“You are required to submit the minutes of meeting of election in which Hockey Punjab was formed along with the list of persons who attended the meeting for us to consider your request for affiliation,” he added. HI elections are scheduled for January 29.
DNA