skip to main |
skip to sidebar
n By Paritosh Pramanik
IGNORING the warning issued by Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) not to be part of the selection trials conducted by Hockey Maharashtra, players from VHA affiliated districts enrolled themselves for the trials at Wardha on Wednesday.
According to reports, around 70 players from all over Maharashtra took part in the trials.
Players from Jalgaon, Amravati, Wardha, Akola, Beed, Gondia, Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts registered themselves for the three-day trials under way at Chintamani Academy and Management College. All the above mentioned districts are affiliated with VHA.
According to sources around eight players from Nagpur are also taking part in the trials totally ignoring VHA’s warning. Sources said players from Pragmatic Club, Jaibai Chaudhary School, Royal Gondwana Public School and a few from other clubs took part in the trials on the first day. Hockey Maharashtra vice-president TN Sidhra said the response was overwhelming and a few more are expected to join on the morrow.
“It’s a huge response. I was not expecting so many players for the trials. But the schools and clubs showed they want to play hockey and not spoil the future of their players due to the bickering between two hockey factions,” said Sidhra. Players from Mumbai, Kolhapur, Solapur, Sartara are also taking part in the trials.
The selection committee comprises TN Sidhra, Chairman, Prabhakar Bhoge (Wardha), Manish Akre (Yavatmal), Jageshwar Kaithwas and Chandrashekhar (Nagpur).
n By Paritosh Pramanik
JAGESHWAR Kaithwas, working as an instructor with Royal Gondwana Public School (RGPS), an affiliated unit of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), has been appointed as one of the selectors by Hockey Maharashtra.
Interestingly, the school’s director, Deven Dasture, is one of the executive members of VHA.
Hockey Maharashtra is conducting sub-junior selection trials at Wardha from November 16. The selected players will form Maharashtra team that will represent West Zone in the Zonal tournament to be held at Jodhpur. The tournament will be under the banner of Hockey India.
VHA, an Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) loyal, has warned all its affiliated units against taking part in the trials.
Kaithwas has also been appointed as manager-cum-coach of the team which will take part in the sub-junior national tournament to be held at Jodhpur.
Well aware of the fact that he might be sacked from his instructor’s post from the school, Kaithwas has decided to grab the opportunity.
“I have submitted my leave application along with appointment letter I got from TN Sidhra, vice-president Hockey Maharashtra, to the school authorities two days back. Till now I have not got any reply. I will be going for trials in the capacity of a selector. They can sack me but such opportunities do not come everyday,” Kaithwas told ‘The Hitavada’.
Kaithwas lashed out at VHA saying that he was not bothered about the repercussions.
“VHA is doing nothing for coaches, umpires and players. This is a god-send opportunity for me and I want to grab it. I am not worried about the consequences,” stated Kaithwas.
Dasture, on his part, said that RGPS would not send its players for the trials. “I came to know about Kaithwas’ appointment yesterday only. We have not given him permission. Similarly, none of our players would be taking part in the selection trials,” said Dasture.
The executive member also said all three of his schools — RGPS, South Point School, Omkar Nagar and South Point School, Hanuman Nagar were affiliated units of VHA and would stay with the Vidarbha body.
“As far as Kaithwas is concerned, we will take appropriate action against him if he associates himself with the rival body,” Dasture said.
The Hockey Maharashtra trials are going to be held at the ground of Chintamani Academy of Management Sciences from November 16 to 18.
Meanwhile, Sidhra has asked all the schools and clubs to send players directly for trials instead of sending them through district associations. “Ours is a new body. The district units are yet to get affiliation hence we have decided to call players directly along with age proofs,” said Sidhra.
n By Paritosh Pramanik
THE presence of two bodies, Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation, seems to have resulted in factionalism in the local units too. Wardha District Hockey Association, affiliated with IHF loyal Vidarbha Hockey Association, has ruffled many a feather by allowing Hockey Maharashtra to conduct selection trials at its ground.
Hockey Maharashtra will be holding sub-junior selection trials from November 16 for Hockey India’s forthcoming Jodhpur Nationals.
VHA vice-president Rajendra Sharma has granted permission to hold the trials at the ground of Chintamani Academy of Management Sciences at which he is the president.
VHA is fighting with Hockey India and Hockey Maharashtra for its existence since 2008. There were reports that district hockey associations of Nanded, Aurangabad, Parbhani have joined Hockey Maharashtra. And if the sources are to be believed, Wardha too is following them.
Sharma, however, denied any such move and said Wardha District Hockey Association was very much part of VHA.
Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Sharma said he has only provided the infrastructure for the trials and he is not parting ways with VHA.
“A few days back I got a call from Trilokinath Sidhra. He requested me to help in holding selection trials. We decided to hold the trials at the stadium but as the ground was given for police recruitment, we were unable to get that venue.
“I respect Sidhraji a lot and hence decided to give the ground of Chintamani Academy of Management Sciences. I am president of this organisation so I helped him. This does not mean that I am helping Hockey Maharashtra or going against VHA. I am only promoting the game of hockey,” reasoned Sharma.
Sharma said that the press release was not on Wardha District Hockey Association’s letterhead because WDHA was not associated with this selection trials.
“Had it been in tandem with WDHA, the press release would have been on the letterhead,” Sharma clarified.
Sidhra, who is vice-president of Hockey Maharashtra, accepted he had requested Sharma to provide him the ground.
“I wanted to hold trials in Nagpur but grounds were not available here. We would not have got police ground as recruitment drive is under way. VHA would not give us the ground hence we decided to hold trials in Wardha.”
Sidhra said he was not going against VHA. “I am a life member of VHA. I am not going against the association.
“There are many life members who hold posts on various sports bodies. I have been appointed Hockey Maharashtra’s vice-president about a year ago and I have been asked to hold the selection trials,” Sidhra added.
VHA Secretary Vinod Gavai said that no player affiliated with VHA would be allowed to take part in the trials. “I have asked all the district units and clubs not to send their players for the trials conducted by rival body.”
Gavai added: “Stringent action would be taken against those who participate in the trials, be it player, official or district.”
Tribute By Paritosh Pramanik
ON JANUARY 5, 2011, Ganpati Dattatray Bapat had flicked the bails for one last time to call ‘stumps’ in the Guzder Institutional League encounter at the Vayusena Nagar cricket ground. Ten months later the glorious innings of his life has ended. Bapat passed away on November 7 after a prolonged illness. He was admitted to Getwell hospital a few days back.
Born on September 15, 1931, Bapat Sir, for every cricketer in this city, breathed his last on Monday morning at the age of 81.
Not only umpiring, Bapat sir was also a renowned curator of Vidarbha Cricket Association. He prepared the strip from 1970 to 1983. The great ‘young’ old man, after standing in the middle for untold hours, retired after officiating in a Guzder match early this year, at the age of 79. Not because he had got drained out or had got exhausted after officiating for so many years but he had bowed to the loving demands from his family, who cared for him and wanted him not to overstress.
Though looking frail, he was full with zeal. During the inter-press cricket matches of SJAN he was a regular; for many years as the man in the white coat and then as a pure lover of cricket. He would settle on a bench near the fence and get engrossed in the action on the field. His eyes were sharp as ever. “What a beautiful shot,” Bapat Sir would exclaim after a cracking whack. “Standing on the green grass field for years helped me keep my vision clear. I still don’t wear spectacles,” he had said.
Bapat Sir had said his family’s request forced him to retire from umpiring. “I never wanted to retire. I have it in me to stand in the middle for a full day. Yes, the reflexes have gone slow with age but I can still officiate matches. My family members requested me not to exert so much at this age. I remain out of the house for whole day and they get worried. So I decided to quit, though unwillingly,” Bapat sir had revealed then.“They (family members) are right. I am 80 years now. And am not getting any younger,” the smile never waned.
Giving more time to cricket than to his family, the veteran umpire, who had officiated in more than 1000 junior games and around 35 Ranji Trophy matches, had said it was not easy to stay at home after retirement.
“The day after I officiated my last game (Jan 5, 2011), I was very restless. It was for the first time in 50 years I spent time at home. It was an awkward feeling but, as days passed I started getting used to it”.Even after retirement as official Bapat sir used to go to Vidarbha Cricket Association to coach the budding umpires. He also used to spend at least two hours on the ground daily.
It’s stumps for Bapat Sir. This one decision is direct from the Third Umpire sitting up there. Unfortunately it cannot be overruled.
May his soul rest in peace!
WSH can promote hockey in a professional way: Livermore
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 31
WITH more than 300 international matches under his belt including two Olympics (2000, 2004), two World Cups (2002, 2006) and more than 10 Champions Trophy tournaments, Australian Brent Livermore, the world acclaimed midfielder, has been there and done that for the Kookaburras. The 37-year-old lanky Gold Coast, Queensland based player feels the World Series Hockey, a joint venture of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Nimbus, would benefit not only India but also the world hockey.
In an exclusive interview to The Hitavada from Queensland, Livermore said WSH is a prime pathway for aspiring current and future players. It will increase competition with the depth of players from around India. The midfielder said that FIH should support WSH as it is about exposure and it provides FIH and hockey the real opportunity to showcase the best talent in the world.
Excerpts:
How interesting would be the World Series Hockey?
Brent Livermore (BL): WSH is a great initiative not only for hockey in India but also for the world. This will be a prime opportunity to make the game professional for all. With around 150 players from across India it will also help the fringe players to get selected for the national team. Ability and potential is a part of the Indian team. They just need to be more precise with consistency and continuity.
Will Indian juniors gain from this competition?
BL: Indian players and Indian hockey are sure to benefit as it is a prime pathway for aspiring current and future players. It will increase competition with the depth of players from around India. Players, teams and coaches will have a chance to mix styles of play which is going to add to the knowledge and depth of Indian players. I also believe there will be some untapped junior talent which will come of age and become part of the Indian team.
Should FIH support WSH?
BL: For sure. It is about exposure of the best talent in the world and it provides FIH and hockey the real opportunity to showcase the best talent in the world. It has to be about developing the game and therefore it is about the players. Players want to play in the best competitions, against the best players - embrace it and enjoy. I feel for too long the game has been kept amateur and this is one chance to promote the game in a professional manner.
Do you think Hockey India’s stance to threaten those associated with WSH would force players to pull out?
BL: Unfortunately yes. As a player you always want to play at the Olympic Games for your country. You always strive to succeed in the best competition. The Olympics has this. I think it is sad and crazy that everyone does not pull together to embrace all opportunities to showcase the game and its players in all ways.
There is no need to stop players doing what they love doing, and that is playing hockey at the highest level.
As there is no conflicting competitions during this time, all players should play as they will gain once in a lifetime exposure.
I’m not to sure what Hockey India is doing, but if they have the stance mentioned above....well yes...for sure they are keeping the game amateur and not supporting its players to ensure they are best prepared to represent their country.
How much will it benefit foreign players?
BL: It will have a positive global impact. With players from Australia, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, Pakistan etc. already confirming their participation it shows that WSH will be a premium event with the best talent from around the world wanting to play and be part of this exciting venture.
Bhopal has generated a lot of interest from franchises. Would you like to represent the Bhopal outfit?
BL: Personally, I am a profession competitive athlete who embraces any challenge to compete. It does not matter which team or franchise I play for. I will always give my best in trying to get the desired result.
If hockey is strong and popular in Bhopal I would enjoy the opportunity to represent the franchise with hopefully strong support from the locals.
