Reinstate hockey, football in priority list: Kalmadi

NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi on Monday urged the government to reinstate hockey and football in the priority list after the recent success of the two teams in international tournaments.

While the football team won its maiden Nehru Cup Trophy in New Delhi, the hockey team remained unbeaten to retain the Asia Cup in Chennai on Sunday.

The two sports was demoted to general category in May.

Kalmadi, also the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, said, "The Football and hockey teams have performed exceedingly well by winning the Nehru Cup and the Asia Cup respectively."

"The Indian hockey team has delivered a fitting reply to all those who had sought to bring its morale down," he added.

Kalmadi's views were supported by All India Football Federation President Priyaranjan Das Munshi, Judo Federation of India chief Jagdish Tytler and Archery Association of India President Vijay Kumar Malhotra in the Parliament today.

Speaker Somnath Chaterjee also called on Sports Ministry to take note of the resurgence in the games.
   
Kalmadi congratulated the players and Indian Hockey Federation President K P S Gill for the brilliant performance.
   
"I am proud that all our sportspersons are doing well, whether it is in shooting, billiards, boxing or swimming and now in football and hockey. All this without proper ammunition, late clearances of teams and delay in getting good foreign coaches. Imagine what we can do with proper support," the IOA chief said.