Gill, a former chief election commissioner, was talking to reporters after taking charge as Minister of State (independent charge) in the Sports Ministry.

Gill’s induction as a Minister has been objected to by Opposition parties on the grounds that by offering a ministerial berth to a former Constitutional functionary, the UPA had set a wrong precedent.

“I have come to know of such objections. I have also read a few reports in this regard. All that I can say at this moment is that I will respond to this issue at an appropriate time. I must respond,” Gill, who replaced Mani Shanker Aiyar, said.

“The decision to offer me a ministerial berth was not taken by me. But the decision to accept it is mine. And I have done so with full responsibility,” he said. An avid follower of sports, Gill said his priority would be to ensure that there is an equal opportunity for every discipline to flourish and develop.

On the question of India not qualifying for the hockey event in the Beijing Olympics, he said it was unfortunate, but such disappointments were not new in sports.

“Such things will happen in sports. I remember a similar disappointment had happened in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico where our hockey team had finished sixth for the first time. Sports is like that,” he said.

Asked about the debate over autonomy of sports federations, Gill said he was in agreement with the Olympic charter on this issue. “The federations have to be autonomous. But then the Government also has a certain role in the development of sporting disciplines in the country.

“I have been told there are certain issues in the sports federations which need to be sorted out. My approach to such things will be to initiate dialogue and discussion and come to an amicable settlement of all disputes,” he said.