Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) K.P.S. Gill Sunday conducted the Annual General Meeting of the superseded Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and said it remains the official hockey body in the country as the government does not recognise Hockey India (HI).
Gill, who was ousted as IHF chief two years ago and later along with many IHF units joined Hockey India (HI), said the government has clearly stated in an affidavit before the court that it does not recognise the ad-hoc HI.

“Since they do not recognise HI, IHF is the official body to run the sport in the country,” Gill said.

“The sport has taken a backseat since HI has come into existence,” he added.

HI has been struggling to hold the general election which has been postponed twice because of problems in merger of state units and legal hurdles. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has given HI a deadline till May to put a unified, elected body in place.

Gill said IHF has an overwhelming support of the majority of state units.

Gill claimed 17 state units were present at the meeting and the IHF has an official support of 11 others.

Among those present were Jothikuamaran, whose name figured in the cash-for-selection scandal and brought the downfall of the IHF, Joaquim Carvalho, the former India coach and spokesperson of Mumbai Hockey Association, and R.K.Shetty, Karnataka Hockey Association president.

Gill also said IHF will hold the national championships in June-July and teams will qualify through a zonal meet. The final will be held in the national capital.

Trainuing his guns at Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi and the sports ministry, Gill said their role vis-a-vis hockey in the last two years has been “suspicious”.

“We were thrown out in an illegal manner and the matter in still in the court. IHF was suspended without any proper inquiry into the allegations (of bribery). When IHF set up an inquiry commission, Kalmadi forced two members to quit.”

Gill also said the government’s stand in de-recognising IHF has not been clear.

“In March, the government said in court they have not de-recognised IHF and in April they changed their stance and said they have de-recognised IHF because IOA has derecognised IHF.”

“In such circumstances the government’s role raises suspicion. The way IOA suspended IHF was illegal. How can the government support it and that too after two years,” Gill said.

Asked why he joined hands with HI, Gill said: “They came to me. Kalmadi spoke to me several times, but he is not trustworthy. He will tell something and will do something else.”

“IOA is a disgrace in the name of representing the Olympic movement in India. The democratic outlook of natural justice and fair play is non-existent in the IOA,” Gill said.

Gill also said they have filed an RTI plea about the Rs.15 crore used in organising the hockey World Cup here last month. “But I am doubtful whether the details will be fothcoming.”

“We organised the Asia Cup in Chennai 2007 with Rs.87 lakhs. The World Cup had the same number of participants and officials, but the cost incurred was Rs.15 crore.

“We signed a contract with International Hockey Federation for the hosting of World cup. But that contract was terminated and a new one was signed by the IOA. The way these things were done raise suspicion. It was a breach of trust and criminal misappropriation,” Gill said.