Despite the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) judgement giving Hockey India (HI) full turf over being the sole governing body of the sport in India, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) are not ready to give in.
“We respect the CAS judgement. Even though we are disappointed with the judgement
it does not mean the end,”
Joaquim Carvalho,former Olympian
Augusto Rodrigues
PANAJI
Despite the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) judgement giving Hockey India (HI) full turf over being the sole governing body of the sport in India, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) are not ready to give in.
“We are waiting for the copy of the judgement. After reading it, we may approach the Supreme Court of India because we have a High Court judgement in our favour,” stated IHF secretary Ashok Mathur in conversation with The Goan.
“We went to CAS to preserve the sovereignty of our country, not disrepute. The High Court judgement (copy with The Goan) is clearly in our favour. The FIH (International Hockey Federation) tried to disregard the judgement. Hence we went to CAS,” said Mathur when asked to explain why IHF appealed to CAS instead of the Supreme Court.
“I have not received the CAS judgement yet,but, IHF will be meeting as soon as we get the judgement. Once it is carefully studied, we will decide on our future course of action. Going to the Supreme Court is an option,” opined Mathur.
IHF has been de-recognised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and FIH. Instead, Hockey India (HI) is being given credence. IHF and 2010 won a case against HI in the High Court. The same was appealed by HI in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled: "We are not inclined to entertain these writ petitions as in our considered view, the matter is not appropriate for adjudication in exercise of the high prerogative jurisdiction of this court. The writ petitions are therefore dismissed."
With the FIH de-recognizing IHF, the latter went on appeal to CAS. “We respect the CAS judgement. Even though we are disappointed with the judgement it does not mean the end,” former Olympian Joaquim Carvalho told The Goan. “The IHF’s next course of action will be decided when we meet,” added Joaquim. Just like in the centre, Hockey in Goa is caught in a similar mess in the State. On one hand we have the Association for Control of Hockey in Goa (ACHG) and the Goa
Hockey Association (GHA). ACHG is headed by former journalist Sigmund de Souza and
has former national hockey player Anselm Gabriel as secretary. GHA is managed by
former politician Farrel Furtado and has Mumbai based Xavier Marques as president.
ACHG is recognised by IHF and GHA by HI. As both HI and IHF were in dispute Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) assisted both associations in activities held for the good of the game. The Goa Olympic Association (GOA) toes IOA’s line. “I think, after meeting the other office bearers we will be going to the Supreme Court and pray that the government honours the High Court judgement that still stands. The High Court judgement clearly stands in favour of IHF and it is the
government that is dilly dallying. The Supreme Court will be asked to give directions to the Sports Ministry to adhere to the High Court judgement,” stated ACHG president Sigmund de Souza.
