Hockey India elections on July 29

After missing the deadline several times in the past, Hockey India on Tuesday set July 29 as the new date for the much-awaited elections of the national body.

Apart from announcing the fresh date, Hockey India also named retired Justice R C Chopra as returning officer for the elections and said the polls will be held as per the Sports Ministry's guidelines.

"Mr S K Mendiratta will be the Election Observer on behalf of the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Mr Antonio von Ondarza, FIH Vice President will be the Observer for the International Hockey Federation," Hockey India president Vidya Stokes said in a statement.

"The elections shall be conducted as per the guidelines framed by the Election Observer, Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

"The elections will be held from amongst the 30 permanent affiliated units, comprising of 26 states/union territories and four institutional board members," the statement added.

Earlier this month, Hockey India had ratified the affiliations of 33 units, including four institutional boards, during its Special General Meeting and said that it would conduct its elections in July.

Since 2008, hockey's national body is running without any democratically-elected set-up and its functioning is embroiled in utter confusion and controversy.

Hockey India had thrice postponed its elections in the past which had even irked the FIH.

To make matters worse for Hockey India, the Delhi high court had last month reinstated the KPS Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation, which ruled the game in the country for nearly 15 years before it was disbanded in 2008.