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KPS Gill, the Indian Hockey Federation chief, has blamed the IPL phenomenon for the debacle of Indian hockey. Indian hockey team suffered another humiliation after losing to England in the Olympics qualifiers finals. India needed to win the game to qualify for the upcoming Beijing Olympics. This is the first time in eighty years that India hasn’t qualified for the Olympics.
“It’s rubbish”, he said, dismissing the widespread criticism of his regime. “I am not killing Indian hockey. IPL is. First they stole our concept. Then to make it successful they fixed three events: the Twenty20 world cup, the tri-series and the U-19 world cup. All of this is conspiracy of the sponsors to get more eyeballs to cricket”, he explained.
“If India had won the Qualifying tournament, the glory would have taken some sheen off recent cricket triumphs. No wonder they’re trying everything to stop that from happening. They even did not let Sania Mirza play in India by creating controversies. It’s all a big conspiracy”
When questioned by reporter if he was alleging that hockey players were given money to lose, he said, “I will respond to these things at a later stage. But I’m sure everyone can see what is happening”
“But if that were the case, will the guilty players be punished swiftly?”, asked another reporter.
“We do not have an instant coffee machine to get results instantly” Mr. Gill retorted.
Defending against demands from various sections to resign, he said:
“What Indian hockey needs right now is care and affection. They need someone who can stay with them through everything. And if you look at the record of Indian hockey recently, there is only one man who fits the bill. And there are no prizes for guessing who that man is”
“In any case, prizes are the last thing on our mind right now”, said an IHF official on the condition of anonymity.
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