Aslam under fire for committee dealings

HOCKEY finds itself in a bigger mess under the administration of the Indian Olympic Association’s ad hoc committee, with Randhir Singh quitting in disgust.

On Monday, Randhir told MAIL TODAY his decision to resign was not an abrupt one. “ I had spoken to ( IOA president) Suresh Kalmadi about it and then quit,” said Randhir.

Randhir, who is the secretary general of the IOA, is upset at the way things are being done, though he is not willing to say much. Insiders point out that when the Indian Hockey Federation, headed by KPS Gill, was suspended last year, the goal was to ensure Indian hockey’s revival soon.

But the happenings of the last few months have shown the ad hoc committee is not at all serious about a lot of issues, and at present the whole show has been hijacked by AK Mattoo, Aslam Khan and Anupam Ghulati. Worse, nobody is working towards early elections so that a freshly constituted body can be put in place.

After that only is a merger possible between the men’s and women’s hockey federations.

It is learnt that some members of the committe have already travelled so much, they have run up over Rs 7 lakhs in travel bills. It is also learnt Aslam Khan wanted to go to Argentina, where the Indian team is currently playing a four- match series.

People are also now questioning what Aslam Khan’s credentials are. He was not a hockey player, and is now not even associated with any sports federation as an official.

After being removed from the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association, he is just an associate member in the IOA. How and why he suddenly wields so much clout is a surprise.

Word also has it that some of the selectors are also unhappy with the way hockey matters are being run by the ad hoc committee.

With the Delhi High Court hearing also likely to come up shortly on a case filed by the Indian Hockey Federation, ( IHF) one is hoping there is a directive soon that elections can be held.

“ Our idea was not to cling on to power forever when we formed the ad hoc body. I am sure if the IHF can first have its elections, then a merger with the women’s hockey federation can be worked out. The International Hockey Federation ( FIH) also wants the two hockey bodies in India to come together at the earliest,” said the source.

Sources also claimed that members of the selection committee will meet Kalmadi on Tuesday.