New Delhi, April 22
Minister of youth affairs and sports M.S. Gill today asked Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president KPS Gill to "review his position" after IHF secretary-general Jyothikumaran was caught "taking bribe" in a sting operation conducted by a television channel.

"In full consideration of the situation facing Indian hockey, and the national need, I urge him to consider withdrawing from his current responsibility. It s time to let other Indians make an attempt to lift our hockey"

The sports minister said "the incident seen on television last night was most unfortunate for our hockey and distressed every Indian", adding that "I indicated immediately the necessity for Shri Jyothikumaran to resign from his office as secretary-general of theIHF."

Gill said though Jyothikumaran "has done so (resigned from his IHF post), I do not agree with the IHF president's formulation that his resignation is till the enquiry clearnace. Shri Jyothikumaran has been secretary-general since 1994 and faith in him has now been shattered".

The Sports Minister said ever since the sting operation was aired in a television channel "I have agonised long over the IHC. Its recent disaster in Chile (for the Olympic qualifier, where India failed to pass the muster) is still fresh in every Indian's mind. Now, trust and faith in fair selection is shaken. I believe in the totality of the situation. The IHF president must also introspect, and review his position".

Meanwhile, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi has also "strongly condemned" the alleged incident involving Jothikumaran, and has called an emergency meeting of the IOA Executive Committee on April 28.

"The IOA strongly condemns the alleged incident of Jothikumaran's issue in the Indian Hockey Federation. An emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the IOA has been convened on Monday to look into this matter and take necessary action in the interest of sports," an IOA press release said here.

"I am also meeting the Sports Minister today in this regard," IOA President Suresh Kalmadi was quoted as saying.