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Remove Gill, say political leaders

Special Correspondent

It’s a matter of shame that the country could not qualify for Olympics: CPI

There have been a number of complaints against
IHF president: Gurudas Dasgupta
Primacy given to cricket to blame for failure in
other sports: V.K. Malhotra

NEW DELHI: Political leaders on Monday demanded the ouster of Indian Hockey Federation president K.P.S. Gill in the wake of the country’s failure to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta was most vociferous in his demand, saying it was high time Mr. Gill was “thrown out” from his post.

“It’s a matter of shame that we could not qualify for the Olympics. I know that there have been a number of complaints against the IHF president. There is nobody in the country to look after the sport,” Mr. Dasgupta said.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader V.K. Malhotra said India’s failure to qualify was “shocking and disgusting.” He blamed the primacy given to cricket in India for the failure in all other sporting events.

“The government has kept aside only Rs. 3 crore as prize money for sportsmen participating in all national and international games when each cricketer makes more than that in a year. This is not the way to encourage other games.”

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat said she was disappointed at India’s exit. “We all would have loved to see the Indian hockey team playing in Beijing Olympics. It is indeed a very sad day for the country.”

CPI national secretary D. Raja said it was “a matter of shame that not only in hockey, the second most populated country is not competent enough in other sports as well.” He stressed the need for a comprehensive policy so that all sports and games were promoted equally.

“Unfair selection”

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is touring Orissa, said he received several complaints about the “unfair” selection process in hockey.

“I went to a tribal academy for hockey players and one of the biggest complaints was that the selection process is unfair and the players who are actually good do not get access to the facilities,” he was quoted as saying.

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