Hockey India has effected a change at the top with President Mohd Mushtaq Ahmad giving his resignation. Under pressure from the Sports Ministry, Hockey India has nominated Gyanendro Ningombam to the post.
Mushtaq had resigned on July 7 citing ‘personal and family commitments’. The resignation was accepted at an Emergent Executive Board meeting on Friday. Senior vice-president Ningombam was nominated as the officiating president under Rule 4.6 of the Hockey India constitution.
“Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and travel restrictions imposed across India, HI EB is unable to call a Congress meeting of its Member Units to conduct fresh elections for the post. HI EB has appointed Gyanendro Ningombam as Officiating President with immediate effect… until elections to this post can be called,” HI Secretary Rajinder Singh wrote to the ministry.
The Ministry had insisted that Hockey India holding fresh elections for the remaining term till 2022 for the post by September 30. Mushtaq had been elected president in October 2018. However, the decision was questioned by the ministry in February 2019. It termed it a violation of the tenure cap guidelines under the 2011 Sports Code.
Mushtaq had been the treasurer of HI from 2010-14 and secretary from 2014-18. The Code allows three terms for the president of a Federation and two for other office-bearers.