Date:11/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/11/stories/2008031155971800.htm

Sport - Gymnastics

Ministry suspends GFI

New Delhi: Acting tough on a fraudulent withdrawal of money for a 10-year-old event which was never held, the Sports Ministry on Monday withdrew its recognition of the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) for six months.

GFI failed to rebut charges levelled against it by two complainants that Rajasthan Gymnastics Association (RGA) “had availed of full admissible government assistance” through GFI for holding the 38th junior National gymnastics championships at Jodhpur from December 24-28, 1997.

The championship was never held and Onkar Singh, former GFI Secretary, and Ram Dulare, General Secretary Delhi Gymnastics Association, had alleged that RGA had submitted forged documents to draw out the money and current GFI Secretary Kan Singh Rathore, who was RGA Secretary at that time, was involved in the fraudulent act.

The GFI was also asked to refund Rs. 2 lakh — the amount released for the championship — and an additional Rs 2.80 lakh as penal interest (on the basis of 14 per cent per annum for 10 years), to be paid within one month of the order. — PTI