Sparring continues as IHF alleges misappropriation of funds

Sparring between the two warring factions in hockey continued on Saturday despite the fresh attempt by the Union Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to solve the dispute.

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) made several allegations, including an instance of “misappropriation of Government money” by the ad hoc committee formed under the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in 2008.

Citing the July 25 settlement between the two parties, the IHF officials, at a press conference here, alleged that HI Secretary-General Narinder Batra, advised by some of his colleagues, was going back on his words.

“We broadly agree on sharing power with HI on temporary basis, say for six to 12 months, so that there remains no air of confusion till the Olympics,” the IHF said in a statement.

When asked what the way forward was to break the impasse, IHF mentor K.P.S. Gill said, “The July 25 settlement was the best formula.”

The IHF said its ‘settlement’ with HI was first rejected by the IOA and subsequently by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). “The FIH has gone out of its reach to reject it and again started blackmailing the Indian authorities over the conduct and participation of the Indian team in various (international) tournaments,” the release said.

“The IOA is also adopting double standards since it recognises IHF as per the court order and on the other hand writes to the Government and the FIH to deal with HI.”

Gill alleged that former Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill was “the single person responsible for creating this mess.”

He pointed out a case of “financial misappropriation” by the then ad hoc committee that ran hockey affairs for some time after IHF’s suspension by the IOA.

Gill said the Government had paid $(Aus) 18,816.5 to the ad hoc committee to remit the amount to M/s Royal India Restaurant, Perth, towards the expenses of food bills of the Indian hockey team during its participation in the four-nation tournament in April-May 2008.

The IHF alleged that of the total amount $(Aus) 2,116.5 was yet to be paid to the restaurant. It wondered why the money was routed by the Government through the ad hoc committee when HI was in place by then.

Audited accounts

The IHF demanded that details of the audited accounts of the 2010 World Cup conducted by ‘Hero Honda World Cup Society,’ a private body comprising members of the IOA, FIH and HI, be divulged.

Gill also objected to the way HI held the trials for the juniors at Jalandhar. “This was for the first time that States were given quotas to send players for the trials,” he said.

The IHF announced that it would hold its National junior championships in November.