Agencies
New Delhi, April 22:
The issue of an Indian Hockey Federation official caught on camera while allegedly accepting bribe echoed in Parliament on Tuesday with members demanding stern steps, including a legislation, to bring sports bodies under the government's watchful eye to weed out corruption.
Several members in the Lok Sabha wanted a legislation, if need be, to ensure that government could oversee the functioning of the bodies so that the players get a fair deal.
In the Rajya Sabha, Samajwadi Party member Shahid Siddiqui demanded the resignation of the controversial IHF chief KPS Gill as also disbanding of the Federation in the wake of the incident involving its Secretary General Jothikumaran.
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, VK Malhotra (BJP) said that the matter should not end with Jothikumaran's resignation and that criminal proceedings should also be initiated as it has tarnished the country's reputation.
He said Indian Olympic Association and Government should deliberate on the matter to find out ways and means to avert such a situation.
Apparently referring to India's failure to qualify or the Beijing Olympics, Mohan Singh (SP) regretted that hockey, despite being the national game, has become "a joke".
"When we asked how we failed, Government told us that the Federation is autonomous and independent. Has the autonomy been given to do wrong things?", he asked. Singh and Devendra Prasad Yadav (RJD) demanded steps including a legislation to oversee functioning of sports bodies.
A sting operation by a television news channel showed Jothikumaran allegedly accepting Rs two lakh for including a player in the squad for a tournament in Malaysia next month.
Jothikumaran has denied the charge, saying the money was to conduct a big tournament in the country.
Gill's resignation demanded
A day after the bribe scandal forced K Jothikumaran to quit as secretary general of the IHF, Sports Minister M S Gill trained his gun at its Chief KPS Gill, saying he should also step down to restore faith in the hockey establishment.
The Minister said Gill should "introspect and review" his position as the trust and faith in the fair selection of hockey teams has been shaken after the expose on a television channel.
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