The dark side of Indian Hockey Federation.

A new face of IHF (Indian Hockey Federation) came into view when a news channel carried out a sting operation, Operation CHAK DE, which showed the SECRETARY GENERAL of Indian Hockey Federation, K. Jothikumaran, accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakhs and taking a promise of giving another Rs 3 lakhs to be given to his man in Delhi to include a player in the Indian National Team for the Azlan Shah Cup to be played in Ipoh, Malaysia, from May 24 to May 31.

The channel claimed that the bribe money was given in a five star hotel in Delhi in two installments on April 10 and 11. Jothikumaran is seen to be assuring that the player will be picked up for the senior hockey team for the Azlan Shah Cup. The channel also claimed that Jothi agreed to get the team’s permission to organize a tournament.

The channel said in a release that its Special Investigating Team found that the selection process in hockey was not “always fair, the current administration is highly corrupt and that IHF President K P S Gill is oblivious of the corrupt practices of his colleagues.”

The channel also showed the transcripts of a telephone conversation where Jothikumaran is heard assuring that he would try to get the player on the team and also to keep the matter confidential till the formal announcement is made on the team.

IHF President, Mr. Gill, sharply reacted to the matter saying Jothikumaran was no way involved in the selection process and it was surprising that he promised a place in the national team for the particular player.

“Jothikumaran talked to me over phone and informed me that he has resigned from the post of IHF and will not be associated with the Federation until his name is cleared from the alleged incident,” Gill later added.

The hockey world expectedly reacted in anger to the allegations with former captains Pargat Singh, Ashok Kumar and Dhanraj Pillay calling it the most shameful episode in the Indian hockey and seeking the resignation of both Gill and Jothikumaran.

In fact Dhanraj Pillay went on to claim that Jothikumaran had pushed Adam Sinclair in the 2004 Athens Olympic team using his clout. “I can tell you that this boy did not know how to hit the ball but Jothikumaran got him in and the then coach Gerard Rach tutored him thrice a day to teach him the basics.” He added.

Jothikumaran and Gill have been at the helm of the IHF since 1994 when they came together to win the elections. Since then, they are running the federation despite allegation of autocratic behavior, lack of transparency and financial misappropriation. But this is the first time someone claims to have a proof that Jothikumaran, a university-level player and formerly a clerk with the State Bank of India, accepted the bribes.

- (As read from Hindustan Times and seen on channels AAJ TAK and HEADLINES TODAY)

 

 

A DISASTROUS BLOW FOR INDIAN HOCKEY

The 80 glorious years of Indian hockey faced its most shameful moments when India faced a 2-0 defeat from Britain in the qualifying match of Olympics held in Santiago on Sunday night. For the first time in 80 years( since India’s debut at Olympics), the Indian blue jersey men wont be seen running around on the hockey grounds at the Beijing Olympics. NATIONAL GAME TURNS NATIONAL SHAME was found quoted on Hindustan Times newspaper the next morning. No one ever even thought that Indian hockey would have to face these dark days after having won 8 gold medals in Olympics since their debut.

Well, talking about the qualifiers, all the Indian supporters were full of joy when the international hockey federation (FIH) placed team India in a group with only Great Britain as a strong opponent. At that point, India’s place at Olympics seemed to be booked especially after winning the Asia cup. But against everyone’s thinking Indian hockey stumbled throughout the qualifiers. Who might have thought that a professional international team, who just won Asia cup, would play like some school boys running around aimlessly with hockey sticks? The story of poor conversion of penalty corners (short corner), lack of team chemistry and all those basic skills of hockey seemed to be missing with the Asia cup winners not only against Britain but also against all the teams.

The followers of the national game are decreasing day by day as people see more name and fame and of course money in cricket which is doing extremely well compared to hockey and this disastrous act by the players might result in loss of some more fans. But one cannot blame the players alone; the Indian hockey federation (IHF) should get this credit. When asked from IHF head, Mr. K.P.S. Gill, about what is going wrong, he quoted.”I WILL RESPOND TO THESE THINGS AT A LATER STAGE. WE DO NOT HAVE AN INSTANT COFFEE MACHINE THAT YOU CAN GET RESULTS INSTANTLY. IT TAKES TIME TO REGAIN YOUR POSITION. WE HAVE PUT THE PROCESS IN PLACE AND THE RESULTS WILL TAKE SOME TIME.” But one may ask from Mr. Gill, if he don’t have a instant coffee machine, then WHAT KIND OF MACHINE DO HE HAS THAT PRODUCED NO RESULTS IN PAST 15 YEARS OF HIS PRESIDENTSHIP.

Getting up early on the Monday morning, despite of the school in a few hours, and watching India playing (losing) on TV, against the will of my parents, was really heart breaking. As a fan, I don’t want any resignations or something, all I want is that now Indian hockey should take every step possible for the betterment of the game in India. I hope those glorious golden days of Indian hockey may come back in the coming years.