TNN

Bangalore, Apr 29: In what is a clear setback to the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee governing hockey affairs in the country, the Calcutta HighCourt has directed Sahara and Leisure Sports Management to pay the sponsorship fees to the Indian Hockey Federation which was suspended by IOA last year.

Passing the order on a plea by LSM, Justice Indira Banerjee passed an order whereby the senior and junior national teams would continue to use Sahara branded kits as per an ongoing sponsorship agreement dated July 15, 2003.

Justice Banerjee also directed the Indian Hockey Federation to create an interest-bearing suspense account to hold the money till such time the dispute between the IHF and the ad-hoc body is resolved.

The verdict automatically shuts the door on all attempts by the ad-hoc committee to ensure that the sponsorship amount from Sahara is paid to them.

When the counsel for the ad-hoc committee argued it would be difficult for the committee to run the show without the sponsorship, Banerjee said they could appeal against the order before an appropriate forum.