Undemocratic functioning in IHF led to bribery:Krishnamurthy

Bangalore, Apr 22 (UNI) Indian Hockey Federation(IHF) Joint Secretary Krishnamurthy today said undemocratic functioning had led to alleged involvement of Secretary K Jothikumaran in a bribery case.

The official alleged that ''IHF has not been conducting itself as a sports body and there was no democratic set-up. President K P S Gill and Mr Jothikumaran controlled everything and other office-bearers were kept under dark in almost all the matters, be it selection of the team or in any other matter concerning the functioning of the Federation'', he added.

Mr Krishnamurthy told UNI ''several times we (office bearers) raised our voice against undemocratic functioning of the IHF and urged for transparency in the Federation, but it was not heeded. No wonder, the image of the game was lowered before the people, he added.

He said the alleged involvement of Mr Jothikumaran had tarnished the image of the game.

Alleging that only Mr Gill and Mr Jothikumaran were handling the entire IHF, Mr Krishnamurthy said ''as long as dictatorship and lack of transparency in administration continues, it will have a snowballing effect on the Federation and the hockey fraternity in the country.

He said a large number of members of the IHF were clamouring for transparency, but their efforts went in vain. Unless IHF was made accountable and streamlined, it will be well-nigh impossible to expect an improvement in its functioning style.

He said he will not be surprised, if the IHF was dissolved, as suggested by some members in the Parliament.

Mr Krishnamurthy said Mr Jotikumaran should be given a fair chance to express his view point. It is time an 'Independent Body' be constituted to unearth the truth behind the shaddy dealings, as exposed in the sting operation, he added.

UNI MSP KVV AB KP1735