Hockey body fires salvo at ministry
By Tushar Bhaduri in New Delhi
HI secretary general Batra says pressure was exerted for Punjab affiliation
THE war of words in Indian hockey took another unsavoury turn with the national body on Monday alleging that the sports ministry had exerted pressure for the affiliation of the Punjab unit.
Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said they had to recognise the state unit, even though there were significant objections from various factions.
“ It seems that the sports ministry of the government of India was functioning as the sports ministry of the government of Punjab,” Batra said.
Hockey Punjab secretary and former India captain Pargat Singh had on Sunday charged Indian Olympic Association ( IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi of being responsible for the “ mess in Indian hockey” and alleged that his “ coterie” tried to garner support for his bid to become Hockey India president in return for affiliation.
Batra said the Punjab hockey women’s wing had raised several objections alleging that they were not invited to the meeting in which the unification took place. “ Even though they do not deserve affiliation, we had to grant it under ministry pressure. They wrote in their letters that affiliation has to be granted.” Batra even alleged that it was the ministry’s attitude which prompted AK Mattoo to resign from the post of Hockey India president. “ He said he was humiliated by much younger officials of the ministry.
Mattoo felt that he has never before been accused of financial irregularities in his long stint in sports administration and it forced him to go.” Regarding Pargat’s allegations that Kalmadi wanted to become president, Batra countered that it was the former captain himself who sought the post of Hockey India secretary- general with JB Roy of the Bengal unit at the helm.
“ When he realised that their group did not have more than six- seven supporters, he changed his tune. If Pargat can prove that I was involved in any negotiations, I will leave sports administration.” In response to charges that Kalmadi hogged the limelight by intervening in the pay dispute, Batra said: “ I myself called up sponsors Sahara several times asking for money, but they refused to give any. Kalmadi’s role should be appreciated.” Batra also alleged that the objections from various state units against the affiliation process were also raised at the ministry’s behest. “ The letters from Delhi, Punjab and Bengal have identical language which raises some questions. The sports ministry also insisted that Pargat, Amrit Bose ( Delhi), Gurbax Singh ( Bengal) and Rajkumar Jaipal ( Rajasthan) be included in the electoral list.” Batra even trained guns at sports minister MS Gill. “ He is only after TRPs. He may be aware that his Rajya Sabha term ends in April and wants the support of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab for another term.” He also took on government observer SK Mendiratta for objecting to GS Mander as returning officer for the polls.
“ The election guidelines were framed by him and we appointed Mander accordingly,” Batra said.
NO EFFECT ON WC
THE postponement of Hockey India elections will have no effect on the World Cup or the host nation’s participation in it, the International Hockey Federation ( FIH) clarified on Monday. “ The FIH regrets that there is another delay in the election process for Hockey India. The Hero Honda FIH World Cup will take place in New Delhi with the 12 participants who have qualified,” the world body’s communications manager Arjen Meijer said.
Ticket rates for the general stand have been fixed at Rs 100 for all days except that of the final when they will be priced at Rs 150. The general admission premium tickets will cost Rs 500 and Rs 750. The VIP tickets for the hospitality stand will cost Rs 1,000 ( Rs 1,500 for final), while the price of the VVIP tickets, with a provision for light snacks, will set one back by Rs 5,000 ( Rs 7,500 for final). Tickets will be available at www. msnindia. com/ worldcuphockey and at select branches of Café Coffee Day, Twenty Four Seven and UCO Bank.