{image-hockey thotta padam_25042008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Apr 25: Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) chief KPS Gill today hit back at Sports Minister MS Gill asking him to practice what he preaches.

The IHF supremo was reacting to MS Gill's comments earlier this week when the Minister demanded the inclusion of youngsters in the management of the National Sports Federations (NSFs). ''Let not sports Ministers talk of accountability or responsibility. Most of them don't know anything about sports and have never done anything for hockey,'' he said. ''Let younger people first become sports ministers before such sugesstions are given,'' KPS Gill told CNN IBN. ''I don't think age has anything to with managing sports.'' The former Punjab policeman launched a scathing response to demands for more transperancy in the functioning of the IHF.

''In the past five years, have you seen these ministers doing anything?'' he added. ''The present minister has only been there for a few days, lets see what he does.'' KPS Gill claimed Uma Bharti was the only sports minister in recent times who did something for the national game.

''At least she helped build an astroturf ground in Bhopal, the others had no interest in sports and just occupied the chair.'' On the demand that he should resign in the wake of the sting operation involving IHF secretary K Jyothikumaran, Gill said there was no question of him stepping down.

''Am I resign based on a concocted sting operation, or simply because some players or a section of the media wants me to?'' he reacted.

''There is a rule of law, a democracy in the country. I am not going to resign when I have not done anything wrong,'' he added.

On the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) emengency meeting next week, Gill was adamant he will continue to hold on to his post.

''Let them meet, I have made it clear, I am not resigning,'' he stated.

On former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan starting a signature campaingn among Members of Parliament (MP) seeking his removal, Gill asked, ''has the media tried to find out how many MPs actually signed this petition? ''These are all moves by frustuated people.'' Gill stressed that he still saw a bright future for hockey in the country.

''Just because we have not qualified for the Olympics, it isn't the end of the world. We are a good team and I am confident we will get better,'' he said.

UNI