Penalty: Hockey India Pulls Up Odisha Body Over Poll Irregularities
Bhubaneswar: Hockey India has issued a show-cause notice to the Hockey Association of Odisha (HAO), proposing its reclassification from a permanent member to an associate member over alleged non-compliance with the national federation’s bye-laws.
HAO Under Scrutiny
The decision was taken at Hockey India’s Executive Committee meeting on 6 October following an adverse report by the Electoral Officer, which had stalled the HAO’s scheduled elections on 3 October, according to a news report by PTI.
Hockey India has raised eight grounds of concern, including what it described as serious deficiencies in the functioning of HAO’s 30 district units.
According to the federation, key positions such as president and secretary in all 30 district associations are held ex officio by administrative officials, including District Magistrates and Sub-Collectors, instead of being filled through elections.
Hockey India also said none of the district units had submitted election notices, minutes or results to establish that their governing bodies had been constituted through a legitimate electoral process.
The absence of the required documentation has also prevented the finalisation of the electoral roll for the HAO elections, it said.
HAO has been given two weeks to submit comprehensive documentation, including proof of elections and the requisite statutory authorisations.
Failure to comply could lead to formal proceedings for reclassification of the state association’s membership through Hockey India’s Affiliation Committee and subsequently its General Body.
Meanwhile, Hockey Odisha general secretary Pratap Satpathy welcomed Hockey India’s action and urged the Odisha Chief Minister to intervene to ensure transparent administration of the sport in the state, the PTI report added.