‘ I could not make a difference so quit’
By Tushar Bhaduri in New Delhi
AFTER ending his long innings in sports administration, former Hockey India president AK Mattoo says he quit because he could no longer make a positive contribution to how things are run.
Mattoo, who was in the eye of the storm during the pay crisis involving the men hockey players, left the Hockey India post as well as the position of treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association ( IOA) as well as the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, just days after the issue was resolved.
“ I’ve had a 40- year stint in Indian sport and the younger lot should take over. I left because I felt I would not be able to make any change or difference. Anyone in my position would have done the same,” Mattoo told M AIL T ODAY . His sudden departure led to a lot of speculation, but the veteran sports administrator would not dwell on the past. “ I’m a retired person now and what has happened has happened. I want to be totally constructive now and won’t like to get into past events,” Mattoo said. “ I’m not bitter at all and remain a sports lover. But now I will watch it from a distance without being in any official capacity.” Asked about a possible return to sports administration, Mattoo said: “ As of now, I am holding no position, but one doesn’t know anything about the future.” A school of thought is that IOA president Suresh Kalmadi emerged as the saviour for striking players by distributing cheques to them. It showed Mattoo in poor light and he had no option but to go.
However, Mattoo said he held no grudges against Kalmadi.
The former Hockey India president felt the protesting players could have conducted themselves in a better manner during the row and they had a lot of explaining to do.
“ I’m not saying that their demands were unjust. But it was hardly the right forum… just before the World Cup. You can’t just put forward a charter of demands and say ‘ decide right now’. These issues have to be analysed in detail and in totality. The government plays a key role in this,” Mattoo said.
The lessons learnt from the crisis should be taken on board to decide what can be done for the players. “ We have to assess our shortcomings and analyse what should the players get and what should be the reward system.
The government has a major role here as they give most of the incentives. What should be the commitment of players should also be decided.” The process for the Hockey India elections has gone through a lot of turmoil recently but Mattoo, in whose tenure a lot of work on affiliation of state bodies was done, didn’t see anything objectionable.
“ If anyone has a grievance it has to be openly discussed and appropriate steps taken. If the government and the International Hockey Federation don’t have a problem with the process, one doesn’t need to worry,” he observed. “ The process involved the merger of men’s and women’s bodies in all the states and it was bound to take time.
This is a passing phase and I’m sure the issues will be resolved.
The only thing is that the process should not get dirtier.”
JUDGE FOR POLLS
The Delhi High Court said on Wednesday it might appoint a retired judge as the returning officer for the elections. A bench headed by chief justice AP Shah asked the IOA and Hockey India to file their response on how they are planning to conduct the election and suggest the name of a retired high court judge for the returning officer.
DISAFFILIATED
The Maharashtra Olympic Association ( MOA) disaffiliated the state hockey body, saying it had received written complaints against the Maharashta Hockey Association.
MOA secretary Baba Sahib Langde said the affiliation to MHA was given on a temporary basis and was withdrawn after it receiving complaints from stakeholders.