Hockey India to send team for women's World Cup

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Hockey India and the Indian Olympic Association to send the country's women's team to participate in the World Cup in Argentina, beginning August 26.

The apex court noted that the players selected for the World Cup by Hockey India and the IOA are the same as those identified and selected by the government-run Sports Authority of India.

A bench comprising Justices R V Raveendran and H L Gokhale made it clear that the arrangement is temporary since the team has to reach Argentina by August 21.

The court passed the order after Hockey India placed before it a communication from the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which said that it will only recognise a Hockey India-represented Indian team at the international event.

Webb Roger, the acting Director General of FIH, in the communication made it clear that only Hockey India can only send a team to participate in the World Championship.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports failed to produce written communication to buttress that the FIH recognised it to send the team to the World Cup.

The order was passed by the apex court on a petition moved by Hockey India challenging the government's decision in revoking recognition to it for allegedly flouting guidelines relating to age and tenure of officials.

The ministry had contended that since Hockey India is a 'private body' it cannot be authorised to select a team to represent India in the World meet.

Hockey India submitted before the court that uncertainty is prevailing over the participation of Indian women's hockey team in world championship following the withdrawal of recognition to it by the government.