A fresh controversy erupted in Indian hockey today with Aaj Tak claiming to have done a sting operation in which IHF secretary-general K Jothikumaran was purportedly shown receiving cash for getting a player included in the senior team.

AAJ Tak/Headlines Today said in a release that its Special Investigation Team found that the selection process in hockey was not "always fair, the current administration is highly corrupt and that IHF president Gill is oblivious of the corrupt practices."

The channel claimed that after receiving a cash payment of Rs two lakhs and taking a promise of another Rs three lakhs to be given to his man in Delhi, Jothikumaran assured the channel's team of getting a player picked up for the senior hockey team for the Azlan Shah hockey tournament next month.

It claimed that the bribe money was given to him in a five star hotel in Delhi in two instalments on April 10 and 11.

No wonder they got eliminated from the Olympics. If this is how the players got selected, it was bound to happen. Some former players and Dhanraj Pillay are on TV talking how in the past they have seen some players who didn't even know how to hold the hockey stick being selected



The Response
While Jothikumaran refused to take the phone calls made to him, Gill told PTI that Jothikumaran's act of taking money was "extremely disgraceful" and the IHF will take action against him.

Gill said that Jothikumaran was in no way involved in the selection process and it was all the more surprising that he promised a place in the national team for the particular player. "It is shameful and I have no words to condemn such an act. We will seriously consider taking action against him," Gill said.

Asked whether Jothikumaran would be sacked following the sting operation, Gill said, "There is a process and that will be followed. We will see whether the President is constitutionally authorised to sack the secretary."

Gill said the team for the Azlan Shah is scheduled to be selected Tuesday and Jothikumaran's claim that he could include the player was wrong.


In the last few minutes, Jothikumaran has sent his resignation to the IHF.