Pargat goes on the offensive, targets Kalmadi

Punjab sports secretary Pargat Singh on Monday slammed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for ruining hockey in the country and tarnishing its image in an attempt to retain control of the sport.
With less than 48 hours to go for Hockey India elections, Pargat, contesting for the post of president against 83-year-old Vidya Stokes, called IOA president Suresh Kalmadi the “dirty face of Indian sports” and accused him of interfering in the election process. The former India captain said people like Kalmadi should be thrown out of sports. “Kalmadi talks of the Olympic movement but he has destroyed the Olympic institution. The Kalmadi group is in the habit of poking its nose in every sports federation. Their modus operandi is to set up a parallel body in every federation and then take the matter to the court,” said Pargat.

He also questioned Hockey India’s decision to defy government guidelines. “I am convinced HI doesn’t want to run Indian hockey, it wants to capture Indian hockey,” he said, adding, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it is called Hockey Kalmadi after the elections.”

About the financial aid, Pargat said though there was no dearth of supporters for the game in the country, it would be highly difficult for the federation to function without government support. “How is it possible? And why should it be encouraged? Tomorrow the government can withdraw the recognition and not allow it to be called the Indian team.

“If there is an international event happening, how can it be held without government support? It is easy to take refuge under some technical detail and claim being a society, but this is not just a sports federation, it is about the national team,” Pargat said.

Pargat also said that the current office-bearers had no right to refuse grant. “Who are they? What is their authority? It is a group of a few hand-picked individuals in an ad-hoc body.”

Continuing his attack on Kalmadi, Pargat said the latter was manipulating electoral list to favour his candidates. “He has appointed a person from his personal staff (Manoj Bhore) to the Maharashtra Hockey Association and given him voting right. Kalmadi only wants rubber-stamps to work for him and make Indian sports his personal fiefdom. HI has made a mockery of the system but unfortunately we have some spineless men who are happy to be a part of it,” Pargat said.

He also wanted to know the moral standing of HI which has allowed a chargesheeted official to be elected despite the fact that the latter continues to face a CBI enquiry.

Kalmadi refuses to answer

Meanwhile, evading journalists seeking his reaction, Kalmadi had to make a hasty exit after handing over the RK Khanna tennis complex to the organising committee. “Nothing to say, please…please…” Kalmadi said before trying to leave the venue. But, with his official vehicle missing, Kalmadi had to seek Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s help. “These (mediamen) are asking questions on Pargat,” he was heard saying before leaving in her vehicle.