Hockey chiefs asked to quit over corruption claim

By N.Ananthanarayanan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Sports minister urged national hockey chiefs to quit on Tuesday, a day after a television programme made allegations of corruption against the federation secretary.

Indian hockey was plunged into crisis after the popular Hindi language Aaj Tak channel made the allegations against K.Jothikumaran in a programme broadcast on Monday.

Jothikumaran told Reuters the allegations were false and he would "keep away" until an investigation was conducted.

However, sports minister Manohar Singh Gill said he wanted him to resign and also urged Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president Kanwar Pal Singh Gill to step down.

"The incident seen on television last night was most unfortunate for our hockey, and distressed every Indian," the minister said in a statement.

The IHF has been under media and public pressure since the men's national team, eight-time former Olympic champions, failed to qualify for the Beijing Games at last month's qualifier in Chile.

The hockey chiefs have held their posts since 1994.

"Since yesterday, I have agonised long over the IHF," the minister said. "Its recent disaster in Chile is still fresh in every Indian's mind.