Mattoo resigns from all administrative posts

Deeply hurt by allegations against him during the recent hockey crisis, A K Mattoo resigned as Hockey India president and from other administrative posts in various sport bodies. His resignation has been sent to Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi.

"I have submitted my resignation to Kalmadi and I now want to take retirement from sports administration. I have served for 40 years and it has been long and fruitful innings," Matoo said.

Apart from being Hockey India president, Mattoo is also the treasurer of the IOA and the Organising Commitee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Asked whether he would reconsider his decision if Kalmadi asks him to, he replied, "No, I have made up my mind and don't want to get into all these again. I have enjoyed my stint as a sports administrator all these years."

Mattoo, who is known for his integrity, admitted that the allegation levelled against him by the striking hockey players and some officials, and the manner in which the crisis was projected left him deeply hurt.

Asked whether that was the reason why he decided to quit, he replied, "Well, that is one of the reasons. Certainly it did play a role in my decision."

Mattoo said that he hasn't heard anything over his resignation yet from Kalmadi.

"I have not received any communication from Kalmadi on whether he has accepted my resignation or not. Even if I am asked to continue till the Commonwealth Games, I would not like to carry on," Mattoo said.

He said he had no doubt that the forthcoming World Cup hockey in February-March and the Commonwealth Games in October would be huge success.

Mattoo's term as the Hockey India president would have come to an end on February 7, when a new committee will be elected to take charge of the body.

The FIH, the world governing body for the game, had made it mandatory for the Hockey India to complete election formalities before the World Cup while granting the mega event to India.

Mattoo may, however, be asked to continue till the election formalities are completed since it would be difficult for a new person to understand the issues at such a late stage.

He was left with the task of negotiating with the players during the recent payment dispute, which led to the hockey players boycotting the World Cup preparatory camp in Pune.

Mattoo had pleaded that Hockey India had no funds to pay the players and offered Rs 25,000 to them, while their demand was Rs 4.5 lakh for match fees, incentives and other dues.

The matter was later resolved with Kalmadi brokering a compromise deal after team sponsor Sahara India immediately released Rs one crore for distribution among the players only.