IHF stick-check

We strongly refute the suggestions that there is a lack of transparency in the federation Indian Hockey Federation money matters. The accounts of the federation are regularly and duly audited8230;

The news report mentions 81 lakhs. This pertains to a claim as cost of treatment to Jugraj Singh8230; which the IHF does not acknowledge as bad debt. The so-called unaccountable 14 lakhs also pertains to the cost of treatment to Jugraj Singh8230; Bob Davidzon has not pointed out any accounting issues of the past at all.

8226; Our Correspondent replies: The Indian Express report talks about the auditors8217; Pawan Kumar Gupta 038; Associates reports and not about Davidzon. We quote parts of their notation:

Section e ii of the auditors8217; report:

8220;Tournament Expenses, Tour 038; Traveling Expenses and Meeting Expenses: a Except the case of foreign travel8230; generally no other evidence other than travel agency bills were produced8230; to support payment of airfare8230; we are unable to form an opinion on whether air travel expenses aggregating Rs 4999822 and boarding/lodging expenses aggregating Rs 1163968 were actually incurred/utilized or not8230;8221;

The above adds up to Rs 6130790.

Then, auditors8217; report, 8216;Tournament Expenses, Tour 038; Traveling Expenses and Meeting Expenses8217;:

8220;b 8230;there is generally no system purchase orders or requisition on the various suppliers, recording details or quantities of goods received 038; issued in a register, and the verification of bills. We are therefore unable to form an opinion on whether the purchase of sports kits and dresses aggregating to Rs 1505946 weer made or not made8230;8221;

The above two totals to Rs 7669736.

Then, sub-section g of the same section of the auditors8217; report:

8220;g Test check of transactions revealed that no evidence was produced for our verification of 8216;Incentive paid to players8217; aggregating Rs 280,000 and 8216;visa fee8217; aggregating Rs 143,381. We are therefore unable to form an opinion whether these charges were incurred or not8230;8221;

That grand total is Rs 8093117, nearly Rs 81 lakh.

The next section is for Rs 14 lakh. It comes from the auditors8217; report same auditors of the financial year 2003-04. In the report, section g i the auditors say:

8220;i In the absence of any other documentary evidence, we have relied solely on travel agent bills amounting to Rs 617736 charged to tournament expenses/Tour and Travelling/Meeting Expenses.

8220;ii In the absence of documentary evidence reliance has been placed on team managers/coaches/others statement/certification regarding expenditure amounting to Rs 682761 charged to Tournament Expenses.

8220;ix In the absence of necessary evidence, we are unable to confirm a cash payment of Rs 50,000 to a creditor and also a transfer of Rs 45,000 from one creditor to another, impact whereof8230;8221;

The total of the above is Rs 1395497, nearly Rs 14 lakh.

The press statement, attributed to the FIH president, during the Asian Games expressing her disappointment at the state of affair of hockey in India has been disowned by Els. She has clarified to KPS Gill that the media misquoted her.

8226; Our correspondent, who was in Doha, replies: The comments referred to, from the FIH president Madame Els van Breda Vriesman were made in my presence, and often to me, in reply to my questions. Many mediapersons including from the foreign media were present there.