OFFENDED BY the adamant attitude of Indian Hockey Federation president K P S Gill, national selection committee member Aslam Sher Khan today resigned from the post. He also resigned from the post of chairman of youth development and infrastructure committee.
One and half year ago, when their was an outcry against Gill for ‘destroying India hockey’, Khan had defended Gill in Bhopal.
The national game that has been the most controversial since the arrival of Gill in the IHF, once again witnessed another drama. Claiming that his resignation was the beginning of revival of hockey and raising banner against the Gill & Company, he said that hockey is passing through its worst phase.
“The time has come to think seriously over the revival of hockey. I hope my resignation will work as a part of that”, said the dejected former Olympian. However, when asked why he chose to announce his resignation in Bhopal rather than in New Delhi, he kept silence.
A former Union cabinet minister, Khan charged that the hockey went into its worst phase because of Gill. On many occasions, Gill changed the final selected list of players, because he favoured players from Punjab. “In the last few years, Punjab players got maximum opportunity in the team. But the deserving players from places like Bhopal were neglected altogether”, he alleged.
{{/usCountry}}A former Union cabinet minister, Khan charged that the hockey went into its worst phase because of Gill. On many occasions, Gill changed the final selected list of players, because he favoured players from Punjab. “In the last few years, Punjab players got maximum opportunity in the team. But the deserving players from places like Bhopal were neglected altogether”, he alleged.
{{/usCountry}}But when asked about the selection of Bhopal players in the team during his tenure, he was vague. Demanding immediate resignation of Gill and IHF general secretary Jyotikumar, Khan said that Indian hockey can only be revived when they are out of the federation.