Press Trust of India

Thursday, April 24, 2008 (New Delhi)

Clearly in no mood to oblige Sports Minister MS Gill who wants him to go, Indian Hockey Federation President KPS Gill on Thursday said he is not quitting from his post.

The defiant IHF chief said he had not taken note of the Sports Minister's advice and would continue in the federation.

"I will not quit as the IHF President. I have not taken note of the Sports Minister's advice", he told NDTV.

Earlier, in the wake of the sting operation that caught former secretary of the federation K Jothikumaran accepting bribe to purportedly induct a player in the national team, the Sports Minister had said that the IHF chief should step down from the post.

"I believe,in the totality of the situation, the IHF President must also introspect and review his position," the minister said in a statement.

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

Gill has been under pressure to resign as IHF chief, a position he has held for close to 15 consecutive years, with several Members of Parliament and former hockey players demanding his ouster.