Hockey Punjab President Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed that Kalmadi was behind a plan to deny them affiliation so that they would be unable to vote in the elections.

Ashok Kumar Mattoo, the President of Hockey India, today wrote to Pargat Singh, the secretary of Hockey Punjab, seeking clarification over its status following alleged complaints regarding the merger of three units to form the new body.

He wrote: "[You were] apprised you about the complaints which have been received from different quarters who have raised doubts about the authentication of the formation of Hockey Punjab.

"You are required to submit the minutes of meeting of election in which Hockey Punjab was formed alongwith the list of persons who attended the meeting for us to consider your request for affiliation."

Mattoo said the affiliation committee was looking into the matter.

He said: "There is an affiliation committee to look after the affiliation of the state units after the members are fully convinced about the unification of all units.

"It is not only Punjab which is yet to be granted affiliation but there are many other states who are waiting to be affiliated due to certain queries raised by the affiliation committee.

"Affiliation has already been granted to those states who have completed the necessary formalities."

It is the latest problem to hit the elections, which were originally due to be held in November but put back to this month after several State associations questioned the process of affiliation.

Ever since the IOA superseded the Indian Hockey Federation and formed an ad-hoc committee to run the sport in April 2008, more than one attempt has been made to put an elected body in place.

It followed a warning from International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Leanardo Negre that New Delhi would lose the right to host the 2010 World Cup unless a unified mandatory body was elected before the tournament.

The IOA General Secretary Randhir Singh (pictured with Negre) denied the claims that the IOA was behind any plans to block Hockey Punjab and they wanted the situation resolved.

He said: "[The] IOA has no interest in indulging in any kind of politics.

"We believe in total transparency.

"We function according to the Charter of Olympic Movement which clearly says that a state association should be affiliated by its national federation if it is approved by the respective Olympic association.

"If the Punjab association is approved by its state Olympic association they will get the affiliation."

Randhir rejected Badal's accusations and said the IOA was not trying to encroach upon the autonomy of national sports federations, including Hockey India.

He said: "We are not at all interested in challenging the autonomy of any sports federation.

"In fact, we want them to work independently."

Badal has expressed an interest in becoming the President of Hockey India, as has Kalmadi, who, apart from Olympic role, is also the chairman of the organising commitee of this year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and the President of the Asian Athletic Association and Athletics Association of India, roles he fits in around as his political career as an MP for the Indian National Congress.

Randhir refused to discuss the motives behind Kalmadi's reported candidature.

He said: "It's better you ask this question to Mr Kalmadi."


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