Mattoo quits HI,CWG posts

Veteran sports administrator AK Mattoo resigned on Sunday from all posts,including that of Hockey India president and Commonwealth Games...

Veteran sports administrator AK Mattoo resigned on Sunday from all posts,including that of Hockey India president and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee treasurer,days after his standoff with the national hockey team over the payment issue was resolved.

Mattoo,whose tenure at the helm of the hockey body was due to end on February 7 with a new committee set to take charge after the elections,said he was hurt by the allegations the players made against him during the crisis and cited it as one of the reasons for stepping down. I have submitted my resignation to Suresh Kalmadi and I now want to take retirement from sports administration. I have served for 40 years and it has been long and fruitful, said Mattoo.

Mattoo,who is also the Indian Olympic Association treasurer,took charge as Hockey India president in May last year after the new body took over from IOAs ad-hoc committee to run the sport. He was in the centre of the controversy recently when the hockey team revolted over the issue of cash incentives and monthly salary.

Mattoo had said HI had little money and offered the players Rs 25,000 each as against their demand of Rs4.5 lakh. The team stopped training and the matter was resolved only after the sponsors decided to release Rs one crore for the players.

Decision final

One of the key members of the Delhi 2010 OC,Mattoo made it clear that the decision was final and he would not continue. I have not received any communication from Kalmadi on whether he has accepted my resignation or not. Ive made up my mind. Even if I am asked to continue till the Commonwealth Games,I would not like to, he said.

Meanwhile,OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot said they have not received any communication from Mattoo. It doesnt matter who stays or leaves,its not going to affect the Games. Having said that,we have not received any communication from Mattoo,so we can not make any comment on that, Bhanot told The Indian Express.