Will study HC order on IHF and decide action: MS Gill

Sports Minister MS Gill said on Saturday that his ministry would study the Delhi High Court verdict reviving the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) before deciding on the next course of action.

Sports Minister MS Gill said on Saturday that his ministry would study the Delhi High Court verdict reviving the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) before deciding on the next course of action.

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The Delhi High Court on Friday quashed Government and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) orders derecognising and disaffiliating IHF in 2008 after its secretary K Jothikumaran was caught on camera taking bribes to select a player.

Reacting to the order, Gill said, "I have not received a copy of the order, just read it in the newspapers. But my answer is simple. Whatever the High Court ordered, we have to accept that. My ministry will read it, think over it and then decide what to do."

After disbanding IHF, IOA first set up an ad hoc committee and then put in place Hockey India, merging men and women's units, as directed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

"Of course we would abide by the High Court order. We will read the order and think over it. But one thing is very clear. Me and my ministry have this single goal to make (India) number one in hockey," the Sports Minister told reporters in New Delhi.