Click to play videoNew Delhi: Union Sports Minister M S Gill on Tuesday said Indian Hockey Federation chief K P S Gill should resign after IHF general secretary K Jothikumaran was allegedly caught taking bribes in a TV sting operation.
Gill should “introspect and review his position” to restore people’s faith in Indian hockey, the Minister said.
"Since Monday, I have agonised long over the IHF. Its recent disaster in Chile (where India failed to qualify for Olympics) is still fresh in every Indian mind. Now, trust and faith in fair selection is shaken. I believe, in the totality of the situation, the IHF President must also introspect and review his position," he said in a statement.
"In full consideration of the situation facing Indian hockey, and the national need, I urge him to consider withdrawing from his current responsibility. It is time to let other Indians make an attempt to lift our hockey."
The Minister said Jothikumaran, who has resigned, should not be reinstated even if a probe cleared him. "The incident, seen on TV last night, was most unfortunate for our hockey and distressed every Indian. I indicated immediately the necessity for Jothikumaran to resign from his office as secretary general of the IHF. He has done so," he said.
"I do not agree, with the IHF President's formulation that his resignation is till the enquiry clearance. Jothikumaran has been secretary general since 1994 and faith in him has now been shattered."
Former IHF vice president Narendra Batra called Jothikumaran’s conduct an “act of shame” and said Indian hockey wouldn’t improve as long as K P S Gill was IHF chief.
Former hockey Olympian Zafar Iqbal called Jothikumaran’s conduct shameful and seconded the call for IHF president KPS gill to quit.
Headlines Today, the channel which conducted the sting operation, has claimed that Jothikumaran, after receiving Rs 2 lakh in cash and making a deal for another Rs 3 lakh, had promised that he would get a player selected for the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament next month. The channel claimed Jothikumaran received the bribe in a five star hotel in Delhi in two installments on April 10 and April 11.
Jothikumaran has denied the allegations and claimed that he accepted the money thinking that it was meant for conducting a tournament.
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