Hockey India has served a show cause notice to the Hockey Association of Odisha (HAO). In view of the non-compliance with the federation’s by-laws, Hockey India has suggested that HAO’s status of permanent membership be revised to associate membership. This was decided upon by the Executive Committee of Hockey India at its meeting held on October 6th. Earlier, the elections which were due to be held by HAO on October 3rd had been deferred because of a bad report from the Election Officer.

There are eight objections raised against the HAO in total and some of the most serious objections pertain to the functioning of the 30 district units in Odisha. The main objection pertains to the fact that the positions of president and secretary in the 30 district associations are being held by ex-officio appointments to district magistrates and sub-collectors rather than elected members.

Hockey India also stated that none of the district units submitted documents such as election notices, meeting minutes, or election results. Consequently, it could not be proven that the governing committees of these district units were formed through a valid election process.

According to the federation, the final voter list for the Hockey Association of Odisha elections could not be prepared due to the unavailability of the required documents. Hockey India has given the HAO two weeks to submit comprehensive documents related to the election process, proof of the conduct of the elections, and the necessary statutory approvals.

Hockey India has clarified that if the HAO fails to submit the required documents within the stipulated time, formal action may be initiated against it. The matter will first be referred to Hockey India's Affiliation Committee, and then the Federation's General Assembly may decide to convert the HAO's membership from permanent to associate membership.

Meanwhile, Hockey Odisha General Secretary Pratap Satpathy welcomed Hockey India's action. He also appealed to the Odisha Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and take steps to ensure transparency in hockey administration in the state.

Hockey India has served a show cause notice to the Hockey Association of Odisha (HAO). In view of the non-compliance with the federation’s by-laws, Hockey India has suggested that HAO’s status of permanent membership be revised to associate membership. This was decided upon by the Executive Committee of Hockey India at its meeting held on October 6th. Earlier, the elections which were due to be held by HAO on October 3rd had been deferred because of a bad report from the Election Officer.

There are eight objections raised against the HAO in total and some of the most serious objections pertain to the functioning of the 30 district units in Odisha. The main objection pertains to the fact that the positions of president and secretary in the 30 district associations are being held by ex-officio appointments to district magistrates and sub-collectors rather than elected members.

Hockey India also stated that none of the district units submitted documents such as election notices, meeting minutes, or election results. Consequently, it could not be proven that the governing committees of these district units were formed through a valid election process.

According to the federation, the final voter list for the Hockey Association of Odisha elections could not be prepared due to the unavailability of the required documents. Hockey India has given the HAO two weeks to submit comprehensive documents related to the election process, proof of the conduct of the elections, and the necessary statutory approvals.

Hockey India has clarified that if the HAO fails to submit the required documents within the stipulated time, formal action may be initiated against it. The matter will first be referred to Hockey India's Affiliation Committee, and then the Federation's General Assembly may decide to convert the HAO's membership from permanent to associate membership.

Meanwhile, Hockey Odisha General Secretary Pratap Satpathy welcomed Hockey India's action. He also appealed to the Odisha Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and take steps to ensure transparency in hockey administration in the state.