Personal ambitions led to IHF disbandment: KPS Gill

New Delhi :

President of the Indian Hockey Federation KPS Gill on Friday hailed the Delhi High Court's verdict to set aside government and IOA orders derecognising the sports body in 2008 and alleged that "personal ambitions" of a few individuals led to IHF's disbandment.

Justice S. Murlidhar on Friday set aside the Centre's decision to derecognise IHF and the Indian Olympic Association's order to disaffiliate the federation after its secretary K. Jothikumaran was caught on camera in a sting operation accepting bribe to select a player.

Talking to PTI, Mr. Gill, who had nearly 15 years at the helm of IHF before IOA disbanded the federation and replaced it with Hockey India, said finally justice had been delivered.

"I am very happy. Justice has been finally done to us.

The order speaks for itself. Now we have to follow it up and ensure that hockey is revived," Mr. Gill said.

"We have to start climbing the ladder once again because the last two years have been disastrous," he said.

After Jothikumaran was caught on camera taking bribes, IOA first replaced IHF with a five-member ad hoc committee before setting up Hockey India.

Hockey India also had a bumpy ride since then, failing to hold its first election because of legal hurdles and infighting and it has now been set a May 31 deadline by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Mr. Gill claimed IHF had FIH's support and it was only because of some individuals' petty interest that led to the federation's disbandment.

"The International Hockey Federation (FIH) was never against us. Personal ambition of one or two people created the situation," Mr. Gill said.