IndiaPost.com - Gill sacked, IHF suspended by IOA

NEW DELHI: KPS Gill's 15-year tenure as the hockey boss came to an unceremonious end with the Indian Olympic Association removing him by suspending the IHF and appointing an ad-hoc committee to run the establishment.

The "unanimous" decision to suspend IHF was taken at an emergency meeting called by the IOA following the sting operation which caught secretary K Jothikumaran purportedly accepting bribe to select a player in the national team.

The IOA also formed a new five-member selection panel to be headed by former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan. It will have hockey greats such as Ashok Kumar, Dhanraj Pillay, Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar Iqbal as the other members. "It is a painful decision that we made. But it had to be taken since there were corruption allegations.

We have taken the decision after discussions with former Olympians, captains and all those who have played for India," IOA President Suresh Kalmadi told a packed press conference here. "Gill was there (meeting) throughout. It was a unanimous decision and no one spoke against it. We have great respect for KPS Gill and it is not personal.

"Jothikumaran did not come unfortunately, we wanted to hear him. It was an opportunity for him to present his case," he said. It was a painful decision, we respect KPS Gill and admire him but the issue involved corruption charges and prestige of the nation and of the national game. We had to intervene in these circumstances," Kalmadi said.

Kalmadi also announced the appointment of a five-member selection committe of former Olympians to be headed by Aslam Sher Khan. It will have hockey greats Zafar Iqbal, Ashok Kumar, Ajit Pal Singh and Dhanraj Pillay as the other members. He said Ric Charlesworth, IHF's Techinical Director, will be the advisor to the selection panel.

The IOA chief acknowledged that the national apex body had to take heed to the stern warning of the FIH which had threatened to scrap the 'Promoting Indian Hockey Project' and the 2010 World Cup proposed to be held here if immediate corrective action was not taken in the aftermath of the sting operation.

"It was a one time decision and involved complex issues. We had to take into account the views of FIH, the media (criticism), the wishes of former Olympians and the concerns of the Parliamentarians," he said. "The FIH has said that we would lose the 2010 World Cup if we do not act now. It was also IOA's desire to act so that the national game rises to greater heights," he said.

Kalmadi said he would appoint the ad-hoc committee "in a couple of days" and would even consult KPS Gill in the exercise, besides taking into account the former Olympians. "There is no hurry in the appointment of the ad-hoc committee. We will consult all the stakeholders -- (FIH representative) Davidzon and former Olympians. We will also consult KPS Gill," he said.