India could lose hockey World Cup: FIH

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) could take away next year's World Cup in New Delhi unless India forms a single national federation for the men's and women's game, its president Leandro Negre said.

"We need to have a unique body to run the game in India before we start the World Cup," Negre said in NEw Delhi on Thursday.

He said Malaysia is the standby venue but he was confident India would resolve the matter in time.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) suspended the national federation in April 2008 on corruption charges.

Although the FIH President has expressed satisfaction over security issues and construction work of the stadiums, he warned that it won't be possible to host the mega event in India without a unified body -- Hockey India -- consisting of both the men's and women's federations under one roof.

"We will support them, but FIH won't involve in any internal affairs. It is up to the Indian authorities to resolve the issue," he said.