Agencies
New Delhi, April 28:
The Indian Olympic Association on Monday suspended the KPS Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation and appointed a five member ad-hoc panel for future team selection. IOA`s decision comes after a sting operation by a news channel exposed corruption in the Indian Hockey Federation.
The ad-hoc panel will be headed by Aslam Sher Khan. Dhanraj Pillay, Ashok Kumar and Ajit Pal will be its other members.
Ric Charlesworth will be the advisor of the selection committee.
"It is a painful decision that we made today. 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.
Earlier on Sunday, expressing dismay at the state of Indian hockey, FIH chief Els van Breda Vriesman said the world body can`t work with a federation whose top official was under investigation following a TV sting operation.
"It (the sting operation) is never heard of in the world of field hockey. I wish the Indian hockey gets positive publicity and not this kind. We are in touch with both International Olympic committee and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) how to proceed in such situation," she said.
"Now the IOA has to manage Indian Hockey Confederation because I don`t think we can work with a half-suspended Secretary General (K Jothikumaran) and a president probably linked because he protects his secretary in this case," she added.
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