FIH President Leandro Negre was in Delhi this week to discuss a number of matters regarding the FIH's hockey development project in India. A brief summary of his discussions were as follows:
* Mr Negre met India's new Sports Minister, Ajay Maken. The meeting was very constructive, during which Mr Negre reaffirmed FIH's position regarding its recognition of Hockey India as the sole governing body for hockey in India. Mr Maken undertook to support the development of hockey in India.
* Discussions were held with Hockey India regarding the hosting details of FIH's coming 4-year programme of events in the country. The programme will begin with the FIH Men's Champions Trophy, which will take place in Delhi in a period from 1-11 December 2011 (event schedule TBC) which will be followed by a combined Men's & Women's Olympic Qualifier early 2012. Following last year's highly successful Hero Honda FIH World Cup, FIH recently committed six of its major events to India over a four year period as an integral part of its campaign to re-energise hockey in the country.
* Mr Negre continued discussions with Hockey India, regarding the launch of a new FIH - Hockey India Professional Hockey League. A further announcement will be made following FIH's Executive Board meeting in early March this year.
