Banned Chopra hits back at AICF

New Delhi: Former chess player D K Chopra, who was banned for life by the All India Chess Federation (AICF), today hit back at the governing body, saying he was banned based on "cooked complaints" on the behest of the officials.

AICF banned Chopra after finding him guilty of various misdeeds during the past four years. However, Chopra hit back, saying: "I have to say that the most of the organisers and federation officials who are claiming that they are doing free service for the sportsman and the nation is a big lie but they are collecting crores of rupees by exploiting players directly as well as indirectly. "Being honest and discipline player, arbiter (knowledge of rules), coach I am not being liked by them. To discourage others they have banned me for life," he added. While announcing his ban, AICF had said that several complaints were received, especially regarding Chopra`s misbehaviour with women and children during tournaments. But Chopra said, "No protest was ever filed by any family members at the spot and these are cooked complaints on the behest of the officials." PTI