Now, Pargat turns the heat on Kalmadi

Former India skipper and Hockey Punjab (HP) secretary Pargat Singh on Sunday lambasted Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi as “the man behind the mockery that hockey in India has become”.

Pargat, whose name found mention in the electoral rolls that were released on Saturday before the February 7 elections were postponed indefinitely after a stay order was issued by a Rajasthan High Court bench, alleged that roadblocks were put in HP’s affiliation by people acting on behalf of the IOA president.

“Certain HI officials owing alliance to Kalmadi offered HP the affiliation only if its members unanimously supported him (Kalmadi) for the post of president,” Pargat said but refused to divulge names of the said officials. Calling HI office-bearers as puppets and pawns of Kalmadi, Pargat blamed HI and IOA for failing to support the players. “I feel that the state of hockey, though miserable, was better during the time of KPS Gill than it is now.”

Kalmadi, on his part, rubbished the allegations, saying it was a “figment of imagination”. Speaking to HT, Kalmadi counter-alleged and blamed ‘higher factions acting’ on Pargat. “I’m not connected with Hockey India in any way apart from being the president of Indian Olympic Association.”