We can solve the hockey mess through talks: K.P.S. Gill


New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president K.P.S Gill said he was willing to talk to Hockey India (HI) and other stakeholders to resolve the hockey imbroglio.

The Delhi and Bombay high courts stayed the HI election Wednesday. It was the third time that the election was postponed. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has set July 31 the deadline to hold the election.

"There has to be a solution to all this. We cannot continue with the blame game. It will do no good to anyone," Gill told reporters.

Gill said the sports ministry has said it will work together with HI and IHF, which was disbanded by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the interest of the sport.

"The government has taken the lead now and we should follow. I am happy with the sports ministry's statement. Had the government taken the step two months back, the problems would have been sorted out earlier," he said.

"There has been lot of mudslinging going on and hockey will suffer. There are so many cases pending in courts. We should sit together and sort out our differences," said Gill.

Gill said he will meet FIH vice-president Antonio von Ondarza, who is here as the observer for the polls, and discuss the issue.