FIH boss Leandro Negre said he would be happy to see India clinch the 2010 World Cup and hand over the trophy to them.

"I, personally, would be the happiest person if at the end of the World Cup, I end up presenting the trophy to India. It will be a big boost to Asian hockey if that happens," Negre wrote in his column in 'New Straits Times' today.

Negre, who was in New Delhi recently to overview the preparation for 2010 World Cup which will be held here, said the FIH would work with Asian countries to help them in reviving their sagging status of the game.

"The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is well aware that Asia, once a powerhouse of hockey, is fast slipping behind Europe and other continents, and it needs urgent help.

"Asia is a valuable partner of the sport, as it is widely played in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, China and other countries.

"That is why, more emphasis will be placed on this continent, and if giving hockey sticks and balls can start the sport in smaller playing nations, so be it.

"The FIH will start with helping India prepare a strong team for the 2010 New Delhi World Cup," he said.

Negre said that during his visit to New Delhi, the FIH and Indian Olympic Association have reached a decision to base the Indian team in England for six months. "I was in India before coming to Malaysia, and after a discussion with the Indian Olympic Association, we came to an agreement that for six months, the Indian team will be based in England, and their players turn out for various clubs in the local league.

"And during breaks, the India players will re-group and play against top clubs, from England, Spain, Netherlands or Germany.

"There is a tremendous fan-base in England for the India team, and I believe the players will benefit from this exercise when they play in the World Cup," he said.

Negre said that India is a capable of hosting the 2010 World Cup no doubt but it should have a unified elected body to run the sport, which is currently run by an ad-hoc committee.

"Lastly, my visit to India re-affirmed that they are capable hosts, with only one pressing matter which they must sort out. India must have a democratic election to replace the ad-hoc committee, if not, we have Malaysia on standby as Plan-B.

"It is our responsibility to have a backup plan in case we are left with no option," he said.