Leandro Negre, the President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), had always claimed that India could not stage the event unless "free and fair" elections were held before it started in New Delhi on February 28.

But a decision by a court in India last week to stay the Hockey India elections on February 7 means that will almost certainly not happen.

Kalmadi, however, claims the World Cup will still go ahead as planned.

He said: "The World Cup is a joint venture between the IOA and the FIH.

"So Hockey India doesn’t really come into the picture directly.

"I don’t think they can take the World Cup away from us."

Kalmadi's confidence was supported by a member of the local organising committee attending the official opening of the revamped Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, which will host the major matches in the tournament.

He said: "It will be difficult logistically too.

"Everything is ready in Delhi and to move it or cancel it so late would be irrational."

Kalmadi's role in the controversial and bitterl Hockey India elections has been the focus for increasing scrutiny.

Former India captain and Hockey Punjab (HP) secretary Pargat Singh has blamed Kalmadi as "the man behind the mockery that hockey in India has become".

Pargat said: "Certain Hockey India officials owing alliance to Kalmadi offered HP the affiliation only if its members unanimously supported him [Kalmadi] for the post of President."

But Kalmadi, who is also the chairman of the organising committee for this year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, has claimed that he is not interested in becoming President of Hockey India.

He said: "I'm not connected with Hockey India in any way apart from being the president of Indian Olympic Association.

"I have the Commonwealth Games to look after and so I'm not getting into all those things."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2010: Hockey World Cup in doubt again after new threat to Indian elections
November 2009:India will hold elections before World Cup Negre insists
November 2009: FIH hold crisis talks with India over elections
July 2009: Indian hockey row takes a new twist
July 2009: Upset Indian officials want meeting with Rogge