Four-Month Deadline For Hockey Units

The recognition from the International Hockey Bet Federation (FIH) has strengthened Hockey India's arms enough for it to not merely set a deadline for state associations to merge with it but to implement its directive with authority.

The merger process is already on, according to Hockey India, with around 24 units ready to join its fold.

"How can the state associations continue to enjoy recognition if they haven't joined us?" asked Hockey India secretary Mohd Aslam Khan.

In a parallel move, the IOA has sent an advisory to the state Olympic associations to work towards giving official recognition to a "single hockey association which will look after the game's activities... before setting the merger process with Hockey India in motion." The time frame is 120 days, according to Aslam, after which state hockey associations unyielding in their stand will find themselves in the wilderness.