22 July 2004	Thursday	04 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

NEW DELHI, July 21: Former India hockey stars, Zafar Iqbal, Ajitpal Singh and Ashok Kumar criticized sacking of Rajinder Singh, chief coach of Indian hockey team for past couple of years , and described arbitrary move of Indian Hockey Federation chief K.P.S. Gill as "anti-hockey".

Ajitpal Singh, who led India to victory in 1975 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, said the move came as no surprise to him. "In last ten years IHF sacked over 15 coaches and Rajinder Singh is no exception.

We all know how IHF is being run these days. Unfortunately, we have a situation where no one dares to tell IHF top brass what they are doing is not in interest of game."

Zafar Iqbal said he sympathizes with Rajinder Singh for treatment meted out to him. "Why should some defeats in warm-up matches be taken so seriously so as to axe chief coach without assigning any reason. This kind of actions do not give confidence to players."

Ashok Kumar, described Rajinder's sacking as unusual. "IHF is being run in autocratic manner." Former Olympians wondered whether German coach Gerhard Rach will be able to deliver in such short spell. -Agencies