Rediff

New Delhi, Jun 7: Confirming that hosting of 2010 World Cup hockey tournament in New Delhi in February will be a FIH-Indian Hockey Confederation joint venture, the world body on Thursday said the event would be managed by a governing body of eight persons appointed by them.

This is the first time that the World body has not allowed a national federation total command to organise a major event like World Cup on its own.

The IHC had earlier hosted succesfully men's Champions Trophy twice in Chennai (1995 and 2005).

In a press release, the International Hockey Federation said 'the organising committee will be responsible for the day to day organisation and conduct of the event while the governing body will have the overall responsibility for organising the event. The Chairperson of the Organising Committee will also be a member of the Governing Body'.

FIH's decision to involve itself in the running of the event assumes importance since the world body insisted IHC late last year to restructure it's functioning.

In fact, Jacques Roggee, IOC President, and Els Van Breda Vriesman, FIH President, visited India this April and held discussions with IHC and also the Indian Olympic Association in regard to re- structuring of the IHC and proper promotion of the game.

FIH also said that it was influenced by the success of its project 'Promoting Indian Hockey' in alloting the 2010 World Cup to New Delhi.

For the first time in hockey history, FIH Executive Board will meet in India during November this year to review the progress of preparation for the Cup.