Thursday, 11 March 2010 11:21
New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) With barely six weeks to go for the World Cup, the FIH today again expressed displeasure with the confusion over Hockey India (HI) afiliation for several state units. With affiliation of quite a few state units clouded by controversy, FIH observer Antonio Von Ondarza, who had earlier criticised the bickerings in the Indian hockey establishment, once again urged Hockey India (HI) to clean up its act. ''We are aware of what is going on. We are not happy. We want the Hockey India and the different state units to sort out their problems before the elections which are due to be held on February 7,'' Ondarza told reporters here. ''The Hockey India should ensure that there are no problems for the smooth conduct of the elections and that we can have a smooth and successful World Cup,'' he added. Pointing out that India has a rich tradition of democracy, Ondarza hoped that the elections will be fair and free of unwanted incidents and controversies. ''India has a rich tradition of democracy. We urge all the parties concered to ensure that this tradition is maintained see that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner,'' he stated. ''Indian hockey has already had quite considerable bad publicity. It has been in the news in the recent past for all the wrong reasons. We don't want any more such things. ''India is an important member of the world hockey family. If Indian hockey is strong, it will be good for world hockey,'' he added. With work in the National Stadium - the main venue for the World Cup yet to be fully completed, the critics have been quite vocal over the tardy preparations by the HI. However, Ondarza, who had visited the National Stadium earlier today along with FIH president Leandro Negre and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief Suresh Kalmadi, expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing preparations and was quite confident that the World Cup will prove to be a grand success. ''The preparations are quite good. Hockey India is doing a fine job. We had visited the stadium this morning and we are quite happy with all the arangements,'' he asserted.