FIH president Leandro Negre tells Hockey India not to drag its feet over elections.

By Adarsh Vinay

With the 2010 hockey World Cup in New Delhi drawing to a close, the focus is already shifting to the next edition. The international hockey federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre said that so far two countries have placed their bids.

“Holland and England are the two countries that are keen to host the next hockey World Cup. There will be more bids but as of now these are the only two,” he said.

Negre added that though the countries wanted to host both the men’s and the women’s World Cups, it was highly unlikely. He explained that it would be very difficult for one country to host both the events.

Meanwhile, the current hockey World Cup may have been a success financially but Negre warned Hockey India to conduct its presidential elections soon. He said the May 31st deadline set by the FIH "was the last warning."

“Hockey India should have a president by May 31st. Failing that the FIH will be forced to start a disaffiliation process,” said the Spaniard.

This is the fourth deadline that the Indian national body has been given. Negre said that the reason the election process was stalling was because "of ego issues within Hockey India". Diplomatic as ever, the FIH president, however, refused to take any names.