India confirmed as host of 2010 men's World Cup

INDIA will host the 2010 men's Hockey World Cup after internal disputes were resolved, according to the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

The country, which last hosted the event in 1982, had previously been told it could lose the event if the two separate bodies that run men and women's hockey in the country did not form a single entity, as stipulated by FIH rules.

"They have sorted out their own internal problems, including the merger of their women's and men's federations," said FIH president Leandro Negre.

"They have also found a title sponsor for the tournament and I am happy for them. We are thankful to Malaysia for agreeing to be the host if India cannot make it. But now there is no need for that."

Problems over India hosting the event arose last year when the Indian Olympic Association dissolved the country's hockey federation over a bribery scandal, leading to the split.

However, it was announced earlier this month that Hockey India had been formed as an umbrella group.

Malaysia, hosts of the men's World Cup in 1975 and 2002, had been named as an alternative venue if the problems were not resolved.

Had India been stripped of holding the competition, it would have dealt a further blow to New Delhi's intentions of hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which has already come under huge scrutiny due to security and infrastructure problems.