SC clears fielding of team for Azlan Shah Cup

A bench of justices J M Panchal and H L Gokhale passed the order after the Centre failed to resolve the dispute between HI and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) over recognition and sought more time to sort out the issue.

The bench maintained its previous interim order by which it had allowed HI to select hockey teams in the Asian and Commonwealth Games and gave three more weeks to the Centre to resolve the dispute.

On the last hearing on March 4, the Centre had assured the apex court that it would resolve within a week the tussle between IHF and HI for controlling Indian Hockey.

The apex court had in an interim order on August 17 rejected the government`s claim and allowed Hockey India (HI) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to send a women`s team to participate in the World Cup in Argentina.

The apex court was hearing the petition filed by Hockey India challenging the government`s decision revoking recognition to it for flouting guidelines relating to age and tenure of officials.

The Sports Ministry had earlier contended that HI was a private body which could not be authorised to select the team representing India.

The Delhi High Court had on May 21 held that the HI was a private body and restrained it from holding election for its office bearers. However, the apex court had later allowed the conduct of election.