HI president Mattoo quits

New Delhi, January 17

Hurt by the allegations levelled against him during the recent players’ rebellion, Hockey India President A K Mattoo has quit the job and all other administrative posts but his resignations have not yet been accepted. Mattoo has sent in his resignation to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi, saying that he has made up his mind to “take retirement from sports administration”.

“I have submitted my resignation to Kalmadi and I now want to take retirement from sports administration. I have served for 40 years and it has been long and fruitful innings,” Mattoo told PTI.

Apart from being Hockey India President, Mattoo is also the treasurer of the IOA and the Organising Committee of this year’s Commonwealth Games. Asked whether he would reconsider his decision if Kalmadi requests him, Mattoo said, “No, I have made up my mind and don’t want to get into all these again. I have enjoyed my stint as a sports administrator all these years.” The IOA, however, said it will take a call on Mattoo’s resignation tomorrow but would like to see the veteran sports administrator continue in his post.

OC secretary general and spokesperson Lalit Bhanot said the committee was yet to receive a copy of Mattoo’s resignation and would take a decision only after a discussion with Kalmadi.

“We have not received his resignation till now. We can take a decision only when it is in our hand. Today being Sunday, we will look into the matter tomorrow once Mr Kalmadi arrives here from Pune,” Bhanot said.

“But we will obviously request him to continue. We don’t have any differences with him. But at the end of the day it would be his personal decision,” he added.

Mattoo had been at the center of a players’ rebellion earlier this week over non-payment of dues. The HI President had pleaded with the players to continue training and wait until after the World Cup for their payments, an offer that was outrightly rejected by the striking campers.

Mattoo had said that HI had no funds and had offered Rs 25,000 each to the players, who were not willing to settle for anything less than Rs 4.5 lakh for match fee, incentives and their dues. The matter was later resolved with Kalmadi brokering a compromise deal after team sponsor Sahara India immediately released Rs one crore for distribution among the players.

Mattoo, who is known for his integrity and uprightness, admitted that the allegation levelled against him by the striking hockey players and some other officials and the manner in which the crisis was projected left him deeply hurt.

“Well, that is one of the reasons. Certainly it did play a role in my decision,” Mattoo said. Mattoo said that he has not heard from Kalmadi over his resignation yet.

“I have not received any communication from Kalmadi on whether he has accepted my resignation or not. Even if I am asked to continue till the Commonwealth Games, I would not like to carry on,” Mattoo said. Mattoo said he had no doubt that the forthcoming World Cup hockey in February-March and the Commonwealth Games in October would be huge success.

Mattoo’s term as the Hockey India President would have come to an end in February 7, the day of election which would pave the way for a new committee to take charge of the body — PTI