Decision to demote hockey unfortunate: Kalmadi

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) Describing the decision to drop hockey from the 'Priority' list as ''very unfortunate'', Chairman Organising Committee CWG 2010 Suresh Kalmadi has urged the Government to restore the status quo.

''Hockey is India's National Game with a very rich legacy.

It is going through a lean phase, but from all indications it is on a comeback trail. At this juncture, the Sports Ministry should support the sport instead of demoting or discouraging it,'' he said.

Kalmadi, who is also president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), said hockey is still one of the few sports where India is still among the world's top 10 or 12 teams.

He claimed that the demotion of hockey comes at a crucial stage, as the IOA had written to the Sports Ministry requesting that all the 17 disciplines included in Commonwealth Games here in 2010 be included in the Priority List.

Also, the Indian Hockey Federation is proposing to host the prestigious World Cup in 2010. That would have been ideal time to give Olympic sports and hockey the right kind of impetus.

He said the decision of the Sports Ministry to take hockey off the Priority List without going into the merits of it or without looking at the potential of the sport is very unfortunate.

Kalmadi said the decision has been taken without consulting the IOA which is currently in talks with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to ensure that India regains its glory in the game.

UNI