New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS): Hockey India (HI) Saturday derecognised Air India as its associate member with immediate effect.

This decision was unanimously taken in the Executive Board meeting of HI which was held Saturday at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here.

The decision was taken due to non-payment of their annual membership fees since 2010-11. Air India had been a member of HI since 2009 and in 2012 it was demoted to Associate Member.

HI secretary general Narinder Batra said following the rules and regulations, the Executive Board decide to take the step.

"Although it was tough to derecognise Air India as an Associate Member but discipline should be maintained for the smooth functioning of the National Sports Federation. We expect all the Affiliate Members and Associate Members to work professionally which is the basic criteria to develop any sport in the country," said Batra.

HI now has 32 state member units, five Associate Members and two members through state Olympic associations.