NEW DELHI: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has expressed its inability to accommodate India in the Champions Trophy as a seventh team,
Ina letter, the FIH president, Mr. Etenne Glichitch, told the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) that the new rules of the FIH “clearly forbid” the addition of a seventh team.
In the letter addressed to IHF secretary, Prof Gursewak Singh, Mr. Glichitch said ‘what happened in Lahore during the World Cup earlier this year, “was not acceptable” and the Indian players and officials “did display exceptional sportsmanship and fair play.
He said: I personally will see to it that the hockey fraternity pays tribute” to the Indian players and officials.
The FIH chief said one couldn’t know what India’s ranking would have been without the incidents in Lahore. At the same time he said, old hands had’ been ‘waiting for about 20 years fora comeback by India.
“We have nice memories of Indian team and Indian hockey in the past and we goon hoping that this will be seem again,” he said and cautioned “but if it (the wait) lasts too Jong, [am afraid that new people who will never have seen India at their best will no longer understand or care for the Indian game.”
The Champions Trophy being a major event, Mr, Glichitch said a team must deserve and win a berth
He said: “The federation is endeavoring to promote hockey and strengthen its image im the world of sports. To achieve this, we have to be strict because as soon as you ‘come under the light nowadays, the sponsors, sportswriters, statesman etc. look at ‘you and you must be credible.”
“Jam sure that you will accept this position,” the FIH president added.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 10, 1990
