Delhi HC revives IHF; Gill ecstatic

NEW DELHI: In a setback to the Union sports ministry, the Delhi High Court on Friday quashed the Indian Hockey Federation’s derecognition by the Indian Olympic Association ( IOA). The court also reinistated KPS Gill as the sports body’s head.

Describing the IOA’s decision to disaffiliate IHF as “knee jerk” reaction, the court said the action was illegal. “Unfortuntely for over two years now the petitioner, IHF, has continued to remain under an illegal suspension followed by an illegal disaffiliation and an illegal de-recognition. This situation calls for a restitutive correction.”

Mr Gill said the judgment is in the interest of Indian hockey and that the IHF will soon be back in action. “We are already having the nationals and soon we will call the AGM of the IHF and take necessary steps to revive the game in the country,” he said.
Mr Gill said the IOA and the sports ministry should accept the court’s verdict and allow the federation to function as the sole authority to run the sport in the country. “It is a detailed and well-reasoned out order. It is self-explanatory and it has been taken in the interest of hockey in the country. Now it is for all the concerned parties to respect this order,” Mr Gill said.

IHF was disaffiliated by the IOA in 2008 after its secretary-general Jothikumaran was allegedly caught in a sting operation, demanding cash from players for selection in the national team.