Question : INDIAN HOCKEY FEDERATION

(a) whether the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) is taking serious measures towards setting up of the IHF Development Centre at Gachibowli complex in Hyderabad;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Federation has formed an ad-hoc committee to study the suggestion of having a separate pool of competition for associate members before they join the final round of Senior Nationals;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has received the recommendations in this regard; and

(f) if so, the action taken thereon?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SUNIL DUTT)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): The matter is in a very preliminary stage. The project funds have not been arranged.

(c): Yes, Sir.

(d): As per information received from the IHF, it has been decided that Associate members will play their preliminary matches in separate pools and will join the pre-quarter final stage of the Senior National alongwith other teams.

(e) : No recommendation in this regard has been received.

(f) : Does not arise.