The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Jothikumaran refutes revelations

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Jothikumaran refutes revelations

Hockey Corrrespondent

Chennai: Refuting the revelations contained in the sting operation by Aaj Tak, K. Jothikumaran, who resigned as Secretary of Indian Hockey Federation, maintained he was never a part of selection of National teams for the last one year because of his preoccupation with the 2010 World Championship project.

Jothikumaran said the two persons, purportedly representing Messrs Sun Shine Builders and Promoters, Ghaziabad, contacted the Indian Hockey Federation offering to sponsor a six-nation tournament at Chandigarh to the tune of Rs. 3 crore and the IHF was keen to examine the offer.

Evasive reply

“The two men confirmed the sponsorship and offered an advance of Rs. 5 lakh towards initial expenditure. They mentioned about a player whose selection their chairman was interested, and I gave an evasive reply only with an intention of not jeopardising the offer of sponsorship”, he said.

Jothikumaran said he took them to the IHF President for further discussions to work out the modalities of signing an MoU with their agent, LSM.

Wrong picture

“All along, as secretary I was under the impression that they were keen on running a hockey tournament only. Now, I find that the entire discussions were recorded stealthily, willfully distorted and maliciously edited to show an entirely wrong picture.

“This is an attempt of unwarranted character assassination to create media sensation. However, I prefer to keep away from Indian hockey administration till such time my name is cleared and innocence proved. I have full faith in Mr. K.P.S.Gill, President, and the IHF to look into this matter and render justice,” said Jothikumarn.

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