While the stage is set for the much awaited election of the office-bearers of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to be held on Monday, former Olympian and Padma Shri Pargat Singh alleged that the combine of IHF President K P S Gill and Secretary General K Jothikumaran has ruined the game.
"If you have a look on the performance of Indian hockey team during the last 11 years, the tenure of Gill as IHF President, the team has not won any big international event except the Asian Games in 1998," Pargat said in Jalandhar on Sunday, while claiming that both Gill and Jothikumaran have no moral right to continue in their post.
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On the uncertainty over whether Gill would seek another term in office or not, Pargat termed it a "drama" and said: "I do not find any such good gesture from the IHF President and moreover, if he wished so [not to seek another term], what was the reason to advance the elections by 11 months?"
"As under the current scenario, the opposition is weak and divided, Gill and Jothikumaran want to make use of such a situation by conducting the election in advance," Pargat said.
"Like the NDA government, Gill is also trying his luck by advancing the election but the time will tell whether Gill will also suffer the same fate as NDA," he said.
"It seems that since the Asian Games are due to be held next year, Gill did not want to take any risk by conducting the election after the prestigious event."
Pargat said that as many as 15 coaches were changed in the last 11 years and IHF had no plans to improve the standard of Indian hockey.
"Rather every IHF decision smells of politics."
"Gill always gives statement that the Indian team is getting prepared for the next big tournament. What about the present status of the team and how it is going to be improved is never taken into consideration," Pargat said.
"Take the appointment of Rajinder Singh [Junior] as national coach, he has been appointed for only one month. I do not know what magic a coach can do in one month."
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