Hockey World Cup will be on schedule: Batra

New Delhi, Jan 26 (ANI): The General Secretary of Hockey India, Narinder Batra, has said Hockey India elections would have no impact on the upcoming World Cup tournament and it would be held as scheduled.

Addressing the media, Batra said, "World Cup has no issues with the election of the Hockey India. World Cup would be held as per schedule. World Cup is organised by a society comprising of Indian Olympic Association and the FIH (International Hockey Federation), which is functioning properly."

Batra also expressed his displeasure at the Sports Ministry for encouraging and creating pressure on the HI to affiliate northern Punjab state association for the elections.

"But still under pressure of Ministry of Sports, Government of India, we granted them (Punjab State Hockey Association) affiliation, I used the word under pressure. Ask me today also they don't deserve but we took the decision under pressure," added Batra.

He held the Punjab Hockey Association responsible for the imbroglio in the management of the game. "We felt at times that it is not Ministry of Sports, government of India but Ministry of Sports, Government of Punjab, for what reasons I don't know," said Batra.

Earlier the Hockey India elections were postponed after certain state associations objected to the superseding the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

Further, the Women's hockey team had staged a protest with the federation over non-payment of dues.

The Hockey India elections, scheduled to be held on February 7, was once again delayed after the Rajasthan High Court issued a stay order on the formation of an ad-hoc body for the sport in the state.

New Delhi will stage the World Cup Hockey tournament from February 28 to March 13. (ANI)