IOA disbands IHF, forms ad-hoc committee

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in an unprecedented move disbanded the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and appointed a five-member ad-hoc committee in its place to run hockey activities in the country.

The impounding decision by the country’s premier sports body put an unceremonious end to a 14-year long-standing era of IHF chief KPS Gill. The IOA dissolved the nation’s hockey federation on the charges of corruption and for bringing disrepute to the game as well as the country.

The sacking of former Director General Punjab Police from the post of IHF President came in the light of the recent developments involving IHF Secretary Jothikumaran’s bribery scandal that was caught in a camera via sting operation.

Announcing the decisions here after an hour-long emergency meeting, IOA President Suresh Kalmadi said, “The decision was unanimous and it was taken in the interest of Indian hockey though it was painful to remove KPS Gill.”

IOA would soon form a five-member ad-hoc committee to run the federation. Meanwhile Aslam Sher Khan, a former MP, will head the five-member national selection committee formed by IOA, Ashok Kumar, Ajitpal Singh, Zafar Iqbal and Dhanraj Pillay will be the other selectors.

It was also decided in the meeting that Australian Ric Charlesworth would be the adviser to the ad-hoc committee.