Baskaran, Cornelius express dismay at IOA decision

Chennai, Apr 28 (UNI) The Indian Olympic Association (IOA)'s decision to suspend the much-maligned Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and sack its President K P S Gill did not go down well with former Olympians V Baskaran and Charles Cornelius.

Reacting to the development, Baskaran told UNI that though a change was always welcome, it should have been done in a proper way.

''There have been complaints of Mr Gill holding the post for too long a period. The change is welcome. But it should not be done like this by forming an adhoc committee'', he added.

The decision of the IOA comes barely two days after FIH told the IOA to clean up the issue if it wanted to host the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.

''Instead of dissolving it, the IOA should have called a meeting of all Olympians and Philanthropists like industrialist M A M Ramaswamy, also a former IHF President, ascertain their views and take a decision''.

''In my view Mr MAM will be the right choice for the post of IHF President'', Baskaran said.

He also expressed reservations about the ad-hoc committee formed by the IOA that consists of Ajitpal Singh, Zafar Iqbal and Dhanraj Pillay.

He also raised doubts about inclusion of Dhanraj in the committee.

Talking to UNI, former Olympian Charles Cornelius said ''I don't know what to say. I can't say whether I am happy or sad''.

''Everything has gone awry because of what deposed IHF Secretary K Jothikumaran (who was caught in a sting operation) did. But nothing has been proved''.

''A three-member committee has been formed and the IOA should have waited for the outcome of the committee's report before taking such a decision', Charles said.

''If the committee finds Mr Jothikumaran guilty, then they could punish him and I will be happy about it'', he observed.

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