By IANS,
New Delhi : K.P.S Gill, who was sacked as the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president last year, might be back in the fold after the IHF and Hockey India joined hands Sunday, but says he is not “interested” in heading the new body.
“I am not interested to become the president. If they want any help from me, then I have a road-map for the sport and I will be happy to share my views,” Gill told IANS.
Gill-led IHF was superseded by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after its then secretary general K. Jothikumaran was caught in a cash-for-selection scandal last April.
The newly-formed Hockey India and IHF Sunday came together to work for the merger of the men’s and women’s state units and to hold elections within six months as per the guidelines of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The move has led to speculation that Gill, who was IHF president for 14 years, could once again return to the hot seat. He, however, scotched that possibility Sunday.
Even if Gill, who is the vice-president of Asian Hockey Federation, doesn’t contest the elections, is likely to be accommodated with some honorary post in Hockey India, sources in the IHF said, adding they were looking for a larger role for Gill in the sport.
On his part, Jothikumaran, who is Tamil Nadu Hockey Association (TNHA) secretary general, is likely to give Hockey India a tough time as he cannot be stopped him from contesting the Hockey India elections.
“He has been re-elected from TNHA and we cannot stop him if he wants to contest the elections,” the source said.
Gill also criticised the government for ignoring hockey.
“We had written so many letters to the sports ministry to address our concerns but nothing comes out. The government has to provide proper facilities and nutritional diet to athletes. It has to be a long-term sustained effort for Indian sports to improve,” he maintained.