‘Hockey helmets minimise risk of head injuries’

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Dec 1

THE untimely death of Australian cricketer Phil Hughes has started the debate of the risk factor of playing with the hard ball and safety measures taken by the sports equipment manufacturing companies and administrators alike.
Nobody thought that a 5.3 oz red leather ball would take life of a cricketer who was on the verge of achieving great heights.
Hockey, the game which is also played with a hard ball weighing 5.7 oz, too, has an element of risk. But Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said that hockey goalkeepers’ helmets are tough, hard and covered enough to avoid such incidents.
“At the national and international level all goalkeepers use best quality goalkeeping kits. They all are well protected. I am using OBO keeping kit since 2005 and it is one of the best in the world. Our body is fully covered and has minimum risk of getting such dangerous life-threatening injuries.
“The best part is our helmets cover most part of our head, neck and throat which minimises the risk of getting head injuries,” said Sreejesh while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ from Bhubneshwar, venue of the eight-nation Champions Trophy.
The Indian vice-captain said he was nobody to talk about cricket but advised that cricket administrators should think more seriously about players safety.
“I can’t comment on cricket because I’ve never played that game. Now, that such unwanted incident took place, they (cricket administrators) can think of future,” said the Olympian.
Though hockey goalkeepers are fully covered, Sreejesh said it is still dangerous for the rushers while defending dragflicks during penalty corners.
“While defending a penalty corner it is very dangerous for the runners. We call it a suicide running because the rushers run straight towards the ball. They have only gloves, abdomen guard, knee guard and a face mask. It becomes more dangerous for those standing under the post because the ball travels at a speed of around 140-150 kmph and from just 16 yards. They get a fraction of second to save the goal or themselves”.
Sreejesh, however, differed with Australian coach Ric Charlesworth who has demanded abolishment of dragflicks. “I don’t feel there is a need to abolish dragflicks. The game will lose its sheen if we stop teams from using dragflicks. It’s like the main weapon of any team. People come to watch dragflicks and I think the game would lose its spectators if we do away with this art of scoring,” the Asian Games gold winning goalkeeper opined.
Sreejesh said chances of getting injured are more during practice sessions than during matches.
“Chances of getting injured are more during practice session because we face 10-15 balls in succession and the hitters, too, get enough time to target which is not possible during matches. The power in their hit is much more as compared to during matches because there they get less time to execute their shots. Our concentration level also goes down when we face so continuous hits. Our coaches advise us to not take more than 5-6 hits at a time,” he said.
“The hockey ball travels almost at 150 kmph. The distance from which a dragflick is taken is around 16 yards as compared to 22 yards in cricket. So, the risk factor is much more,” he added.Talking about the painful hits he has taken in his career, Sreejesh said those were not serious injuries.
“I got injured several times but those injuries were only blood clots. The least covered part on our body is forearm, biceps or thighs. When a hockey ball hits on these parts there is blood clotting. It pains a lot but the injury is not that severe. But when you get hit on your helmet, the fear feeling remains for two-three days,” he said.

Post-2005 VHA members’ fate after legal opinion: Sarda

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE fate of around 300 members, who claimed to have become Vidarbha Hockey Association’s (VHA) patrons and life members, hangs in balance as decision on the authenticity of their membership will be taken only after legal consultation and thorough examination of audited balance sheet of the association.
The decision was taken on Wednesday during the first executive committee meeting of the newly-elected body.
Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel swept VHA elections last Sunday winning all the 13 posts in a keenly-contested poll.
Sarda was president of the association in 2005 and from 2006 BC Bhartia took charge before he was ousted in November 16 poll. During Bhartia’s regime maximum number of members were added as patrons and life members.
“The previous body claims to have enrolled several life members. We will seek legal opinion on the matter and will also thoroughly check the audited balance sheet of the association. Then only we will take any decision on their claims,” said Sarda, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.
The new body also formed several committees. Though committee members are yet to be appointed it has been decided that the association will write letters to all 240 members asking them whether they would like to work in any of the above mentioned committees.
“This has been decided so that nobody would later say they were ignored immediately after the elections were over. Those interested will have to give in writing his/her willingness to work in any of the committees,” said Sarda.
The association also decided to invite PTIs of schools to discuss their difficulties and suggestions in developing hockey and increasing number of team in the city.

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Gawai to give charge on 23rd

OUTGOING secretary of VHA, Vinod Gawai, will be handing over the charges to the newly elected body on Sunday.

“I had a talk with Vinod Gawai Tuesday regarding handing over the charge of the association and he has sought a few days’ time. He will be giving the charge on Sunday,” said newly-elected secretary Vinod Trivedi.

With the charge yet to be handed over, the first meeting of the newly-elected body was held at the main hall of the association’s office building. The members decided to keep the secretary’s office locked until Sunday.

Sarda’s HLPP wins all 13 posts

HLPP defeated VHADP hands down to make a clean sweep 
Sarda elected President, Trivedi is new Secretary of VHA

Principal Correspondent

STEEL businessman and former president of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) Radheshyam Sarda-led Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel (HLPP) made a clean sweep as they ousted ruling VHA Development Panel headed by BC Bhartia in the much publicised elections of the association.
Under the chairmanship of former VHA president Suresh Sharma, joint MD, Baidyanath Ayurved Limited, HLPP grabbed all the 13 posts during the elections held on Sunday at Charity Commissioner’s Office, Civil Lines.
The elections were held after seven years after VHA life member DS Karunashankar won a legal battle in Supreme Court. The apex court directed Charity Commissioner Office to conduct the elections as per voters list of 2005 elections.
Out of total of 317 voters which included six patrons, 271 life members and 40 affiliated units, 190 cast their votes and gave a clear mandate to the HLPP panel for a period of one year.
Sarda, who was association’s president in 2005, defeated two-time VHA chief BC Bhartia by a margin of 14 votes to clinch the top post. Sarda garnered 102 votes while Bhartia managed to get 88.
Voters preferred to support their ‘old friends’ rather than giving Development Panel another chance, who were holding the posts for last seven years.
Vinod Trivedi, who was secretary of the association in 2005, defeated incumbent secretary Vinod Gawai by a margin of 16 (103-87) votes. This is for the first time Gawai has seen the exit door of the association since 2005. In 2005 Gawai was elected as one of the vice-presidents and since 2006 he was secretary of the body.
Treasurer Shyam Sharma continued to sail through easily winning the same post comfortably, this time representing HLPP. Sharma, who is association’s treasurer since 2005, defeated Ghanshyam Purohit by 14 votes. Like Sarda, Sharma too garnered 102 votes while Purohit won 88.
The joint secretary’s post was clinched by another HLPP candidate Pramod Jain who defeated Bhaskar Naidu (VHADP) by (109-81) 28 votes.
Voters, which also include a good number of top businessmen of city apart from former hockey players and lovers showed their affection towards Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh once again.
The former Nagpur Mayor garnered maximum 118 votes to win one of the four vice-president’s post, representing HLPP. The other HLPP members to secure vice-president’s posts include Trilokinath Sidhra (108 votes), DS Karunashankar (100 votes) and Kishor Goydani (98 votes).
They all defeated VHADP’s Arif Khan (79), Unnat Khanna 
(87), Kuldeep Reddy (69) and Ajay Gour (61). 
There was a clear panel voting for vice-president’s posts as 78 voters preferred HLPP while 51 voted for VHADP, the remaining 61 voters did cross voting.
The trend started to favour HLPP from the beginning when all the three members of the panel won their posts from affiliated units category. Out of 40 votes, HLPP’s Kunal Patil won 23, Javed Rana got 21 and Sanjay Lokhande garnered 20. They defeated VHADP’s Dashrath Talewar (19), Bernard Ekka (17) and Juned Khan (19).
The two posts in general category were won by HLPP’s Salim Baig and former NMC Standing Committee Chairman Dayashankar Tiwari. Baig won 110 votes, second highest after Atal Bahadur Singh while newcomer Tiwari won 105.
The elections were smoothly conducted by election officer Harish Gadge and his assistants RH Padalwar and DR Wagh. 
Counting of votes were held under the watchful eyes of AP Matte, Joint Charity Commissioner, Nagpur, AV Kulkarni, Deputy Charity Commissioner, Nagpur and Amit Chauhan, Deputy Charity Commissioner, Amravati.

VHA elections today

After 86 months, VHA to get new executive body

n Principal Correspondent

AFTER more than 86 months, Vidarbha Hockey Association will see a new executive body when the results of the elections are declared on November 16 (Sunday) night.
The elections of the association are going to be held after a long gap of over seven years. The last elections were held in August 2007. Polling is going to be held at Charity Commissioner’s Office in Civil Lines on Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm. Counting of votes will begin at 4 pm followed by declaration of results at the same venue. Counting will begin from bottom posts (executive members affiliated units and general).
Three hundred and seventeen (317) voters, including six patrons, representatives of 40 affiliated units and 271 life members can cast their votes to elect the executive body of 13 members.
Two panels, one led by BC Bhartia (VHA Development Panel) and other by Radheshyam Sarda (Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel) comprising 26 contestants are in fray for 13 available posts.
The elections got more interesting after the decades old rival Sadar-Chaoni (Hockey Lovers Panel) and Sitabuldi-Ajni (Hockey Promoters Panel) groups, joined hands to oust the present body, VHA Development Panel, headed by Bhartia.
Both came under one banner and rechristened their panel as Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel (HLPP) under the chairmanship of former VHA president Suresh Sharma, joint MD of Baidyanath Ayurved Ltd.
Former president Sarda is contesting against two-time president Bhartia for the top post while Vinod Trivedi (HLPP), who was secretary in 2005, will take on incumbent Vinod Gawai (HLPP) for honorary secretary’s post.
Current vice-president and former Nagpur Mayor Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh (HLPP), who had won maximum 204 votes in 2007 elections, is fighting for the same post this year too. The other vice-presidential candidates from HLPP are DS Karunashankar, Triloki Nath Sidhra and Kishor Goydani.
From VHADP, Arif Khan, Unnat Khanna, Kuldeep Reddy and Ajay Gour are contesting for the vice-president’s posts.
The treasurer’s post has direct fight between Shyam Sharma (HLPP) and Ghanshyam Purohit (VHADP). Incumbent Bhaskar Naidu (VHADP) will lock horns with Pramod Jain (HLPP) for joint secretary’s post.
VHADP candidates, Rajesh Bihari and Sardar Kuldeepsingh Bindra are contesting for executive members posts from open category while Dashrath Talewar, Bernard Ekka and Juned Khan are contesting in affiliated units category. They would get tough fight from HLPP’s Dayashankar Tiwari, former NMC Standing Committee chairman, Salim Baig, both contesting in open category and Sanjay Lokhande, Kunal Patil and Javed Rana in affiliated units category.
It would be interesting to see whether voters choose VHA Development Panel who have worked hard in shaping up the ground and provided facilities to players or they support their “old pals” who brought laurels to the region by excelling at various levels and have promised to do much better for the game of hockey.
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Candidate              Post                  Candidate
BC Bhartia      President           Radheshyam Sarda
Arif Khan             Vice-president  Atal Bahadur Singh
Unnat Khanna              Vice-president  Triloki Nath Sidhra
Kuldeep Reddy             Vice-president   DS Karunashankar
Ajay Gour              Vice-president   Kishor Goydani
Vinod Gawai               Secretary           Vinod Trivedi
Ghanshyam Purohit       Treasurer           Shyam Sharma
Bhaskar Naidu    Joint Secretary   Pramod Jain
Rajesh Bihari EC Member (Open)  Salim Baig
Kuldeep Bindra  EC Member (Open)  Dayashankar Tiwari
Dashrath Talewar  EC Member (AU) Javed Rana
Bernard Ekka EC Member (AU) Kunal Patil
         Juned Khan      EC Member (AU)  Sanjay Lokhande

HLPP for transparency, better development of hockey

 Principal Correspondent
November 13

CONFIDENT of getting maximum numbers of votes in the coming elections of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) on November 16, candidates of Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel (HLPP) assured to develop and promote the game in a much better and transparent way.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, presidential candidate of HLPP Radheshyam Sarda said that their panel was firm on taking hockey to greater heights.
“I don’t believe in mud-slinging. Whatever work the present body has done, they did it their way. I would like to assure all my voters that if elected, we would change hockey scenario of Vidarbha region, not just Nagpur,” Sarda said.
Former Mayor Atal Bahadur Singh, who is vice-president in the present body and will continue to fight for the same post, said all voters have shown positive signs and have assured to vote them to victory.
Most of the life members are over 60 years of age which might help HLPP candidates. When asked whether age factor would work in their favour, Singh said, “they (life members) all are my old friends and know my way of working. All have assured support. I am sure they won’t break our faith. Around 90 life members attended our get-together on Wednesday, that too at a short notice. That shows their support.”
“To pay back our life members who have passed away and had devoted their life to hockey, we have decided to include their wards as life members at a nominal fee. A provision will also be made to include wards of current members as life members,” Singh added.
Though the tenure would be of just one year, Sarda said his panel would work as per law and VHA constitution.
“We won’t sit for 7-8 years. If elected we will take elections within one year. A one-year term is too little for development but we assure that we would work round the clock for development and promotion of the game.”
Sarda said though the present body is claiming to have changed the scenario by developing the ground, the process started in his tenure.
“You need proper and positive start to any work. The real development work started in my tenure when I was president in 2005. It was in my tenure when we managed to save the ground from slum-dwellers,” stated Sarda.
Radheshyam Sarda, DS Karunashankar, TN Sidhra, Kishor Goydani, Vinod Trivedi, Shyam Sharma, Pramod Jain, Dayashankar Tiwari, Salim Baig, Kunal Patil, Javed Rana, Haresh Vora, KC Fulsunge and Anil Daral were present during the press conference.

We saved VHA’s existence: Bhartia

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Nov 12

THE 2007 elections of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) might have been the semi-final for incumbent president BC Bhartia but the coming poll on November 16 will turn out to be the final for him as well as his VHA Development Panel.
Bhartia will be contesting for president’s post for third straight term. However, like previous two elections (2005, 2006) where over 400 voters took part in elections, this time less number of voters will use their franchise making it a sort of last dash for the top post.
Speaking to the ‘The Hitavada’, Bhartia looked tired but relieved after campaigning for almost entire day, meeting and contacting life members. “Development Panel members are meeting almost all voters and the response is tremendous. They are appreciating our work. In last seven years we have developed two beautiful lawn grounds. Everybody knows how bad was the playing condition earlier,” said Bhartia.
The VHA chief was of the view that voters would prefer his young and energetic team which has worked for development of the game. “We have a great team of workers who are young and energetic. It is because of young Vinod Gawai (present secretary) and his team of members, we have succeeded in presenting this lush green turf to the players,” Bhartia said.
He did not forget to mention how difficult were the last couple of years when they had to fight for VHA’s existence.
“After Hockey India took over the reigns of Indian hockey, our body (VHA) was on the verge vanishing. But we managed to get Hockey India affiliation and today our teams are participating in Hockey India’s nationals. Several attempts were made to dissolve VHA body. I was even offered the treasurer’s post by Suresh Kalmadi of Hockey Maharashtra but I told him that I would not move up at the expense of VHA’s death,” Bhartia averred.
He looked confident of winning the elections and said voters would choose development ahead of their personal relations.
“We are working for the development of VHA and hockey players of the region. We also conducted an all India level tournament which was well appreciated by Hockey India and its officials,” 
On his panel’s future plans, Bhartia said they are planning to help players get job in PSUs.
“Our plans are ready. We would be approaching several public sector units requesting them to provide jobs to our players.”

28 file nominations for 13 posts

Principal Correspondent

Twenty-eight contestants have filed nomination forms for 13 posts of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) executive body on Friday afternoon for the forthcoming elections. 
The elections of the association are going to be held on November 16 at Charity Commissioner’s Office, Civil Lines.
While ruling VHA Development  Panel (VHADP) fielded 13 members for 13 posts, Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel (HLPP) played it safe as they filed nominations of 15 candidates. Kishor Goidani was fielded as back up to Shyam Sharma for treasurer’s post while Wardha’s Rajendra Sharma filed the nomination form for vice-president’s post. Both are expected to withdraw their names on November 9, the date of withdrawal and announcement of final voters list.
VHADP, who did not disclose all 13 names on the Thursday, fielded Gondia’s Ajay Gour as one of their vice-presidential candidates along with Arif Khan, Unnat Khanna and Kuldeep Reddy.
In the executive committee members slot (from open category) Sardar Kuldeep Bindra will be contesting along with South East Central Railway’s Rajesh Bihari. From Affiliated Units (AU), Dashrat Talewar, Bernard Ekka and Juned Khan will be fighting from VHADP’s panel.
Members of both the panel submitted their forms to Election Officer Harish Gadge on Friday afternoon. The scrutiny of nomination forms and dislpay of valid contestants name will be held on  Saturday after 3 pm.

The Contestants

Post           VHADP                              HLPP

President     BC Bhartia          Radheshyam Sarda
Vice-president Arif Khan Atal Bahadur Singh
Vice-president Unnat Khanna Triloki Nath Sidhra
Vice-president Kuldeep Reddy DS Karunashankar
Vice-president Ajay Gour Kishor Goydani, R Sharma
Secretary Vinod Gawai Vinod Trivedi
Joint Secretary Bhaskar Naidu Pramod Jain
Treasurer GB Purohit Shyam Sharma, K Goidani
EC Member (AU) Dashrat Talewar Javed Rana
EC Member (AU) Bernard Ekka Kunal Patil
EC Member (AU) Juned Khan Sanjay Lokhande
EC Member (Open) Kuldeep Bindra Salim Baig

EC Member (Open) Rajesh Bihari Dayashankar Tiwari

It’s Bhartia vs Sarda for VHA president’s post

Principal Correspondent

INCUMBENT Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) President BC Bhartia will face former president Radheshyam Sarda for the president’s post in the elections of the association which are going to be held on November 16.
Bhartia, who is president of the association since last eight years, will be representing VHA Development Panel.
After several rounds of talks between members of Hockey Lovers Panel, headed by former mayor Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, and Hockey Promoters Panel of Triloki Nath Sidhra, the two have decided to join hands and fight this elections under one banner—Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel (HLPP).
Both the panels will be filing their nomination forms on Friday afternoon, it has been learnt.
TN Sidhra has managed to bargain five seats out of 13 and will be fielding his members in vice-presidents (2), treasurer and executive members posts (2).
Radheshyam Sarda, who defeated late Balraj Aher in 2005 elections, will be the presidential candidate of Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel.
Current secretary, Gawai (VHA Development Panel) will have a straight fight against Vinod Trivedi (HLPP). Trivedi was secretary of the association in 2005.
Shaym Sharma, who was treasurer of the association since 2005 and was member of Gawai group for long, will fight against Ghanshyam Purohit while Pramod Jain (HLPP) will face Bhaskar Naidu (VHADP) for joint secretary’s post. The vice-presidential candidates of HLPP are Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, DS Karunashankar, TN Sidhra and Kishor Goydani.
Salim Baig, Kunal Patil, Javed Rana, Dayashankar Tiwari and Sanjay Lokhande are likely to fight for executive members’ post.
Though VHADP are yet to zero in on their final 13, in all probability, they will be fielding Arif Khan, Kuldeep (Raju) Reddy and Unnat Khanna for vice-president’s post. The elections are going to be held on November 16 at Deputy Charity Commissioner’s Office, Civil Lines and results will be declared on the same evening.

VHA elections: 52 nomination forms sold

Principal Correspondent

The sale of nomination forms for Vidarbha Hockey Association’s elections was held on Wednesday at Deputy Charity Commissioner’s office of Civil Lines. According to election officer Harish Gadge 52 nomination forms were sold. 
Incumbent members, fighting this election under VHA Development Panel’s banner, purchased 20 nomination forms while Sadar group (Hockey Lovers Panel), who are still in talks with Triloki Nath Sidhra (Hockey Promoters Panel), purchased 16 forms. Sidhra confidants Shyam Sharma and Kishor Goydani purchased 10 forms while affiliated unit member Sanjay Lokhande (2), life members Shiv Singh Rathore (3) and Kanhaiyya Fulsunge (1) were the others who purchased the forms.
Candidates can submit their nomination forms on Friday (November 7). The scrutiny of forms and display of valid contestants name will be held on November 8 while withdrawal and display of final list of contestants will be held on November 9. The elections for 13 posts will be held on November 16.

Final list out: 317 voters for VHA polls

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Nov 3 

THE final voters’ list is out. 317 members, including six patrons, 40 affiliated units and 271 life members can cast their votes in the forthcoming Vidarbha Hockey Association’s (VHA) much-delayed elections on November 16.
Voting and declaration of results will be held on the same evening at Deputy Charity Commissioner’s Office, Civil Lines.
The elections were supposed to be held at VHA office off Amravati road but incumbent office-bearers showed “non-cooperation” and the venue of election had to be changed.

Election officer Harish Gadge, after verifying documents of several units on November 1, held discussions with voters and decided to delete names of “bogus” representatives of affiliated units.
A total of 40 affiliated units’ (5 district associations, 7 colleges, 10 schools and 18 clubs) representatives have been retained in the list.
The election officer received three representation letters from District Hockey Association Wardha - Riyazuddin, Rajendra Sharma and Sagar Khojre. “Rajendra Sharma, who was also vice-president of VHA, submitted all the required documents and got the voting right,” Gadge informed ‘The Hitavada.’
Similarly, Maulana Abul Kalam (MAK) Azad High School and Junior College’s name was also deleted from the list and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad High School (Mohd Anees Raza) got the voting right.
The election officer also removed Ajani Sporting Hockey Club after Ajni Sporting Club, represented by Juned Khan, produced all relevant documents.
Maharashtra Gymkhana, too, had two representatives. Gadge held discussion with Ramesh Jagmohan and S Kailm-ur Razzak and decided to give voting right to the latter.
“Representation of City and District Men and Women’s Amateur Hockey Association, Osmanabad was rejected as they failed to provide relevant documents,” informed the election officer.

VHA poll process starts with controversy

Deputy Charity Commissioner pulls up VHA body, shifts poll venue

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 1

CONTROVERSY erupted on the very first day of the election process of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), on Friday, when the Election Officer had to paste the voters’ list on the locked office of the association situated off Amravati Road.
VHA premises was designated as election office for the November 16 polls and the process was to start on Friday with the display of voters’ list 
at 1 pm.
Election officer Harish Gadge along with his assistants Radheshyam Padalwar and Dnyanendra Wagh arrived at VHA but to their utter surprise found the office locked.
Gadge enquired with the office boy but he was told that office keys were with VHA secretary Vinod Gawai. Even vice-president Unnat Khanna, joint secretary Bhaskar Naidu and executive member Dashrath Talewar had “no idea” why the gate was locked.
By that time several life members had gathered at the venue to see the list. Gadge had to paste the voters’ list on the locked gate and submitted his report to the Deputy Charity Commissioner. 
The Deputy Charity Commissioner, in his order passed the same day, said that prima facie it was an act of non-cooperation by VHA officials and subsequently an attempt to hinder government work. He immediately shifted the election office to Charity Commissioner office, Civil Lines.
Election process will now be held at Charity Commissioner office from November 1, as per the order passed.
Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ Gadge said he had written letters to both VHA president BC Bhartia and secretary Gawai regarding the venue of election and election office.

When asked whether he contacted Gawai or Bhartia over phone on Friday, Gadge replied in negative.
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‘Gadge never took permission’

VHA secretary Vinod Gawai said that the election officer Gadge never called him seeking permission to use the association office for VHA election purpose.

“He (Gadge) should have called me or our president seeking permission. He never called me. Even the copy of election programme, announced on October 6, was tied at the entrance gate of the ground. On that day, I was present in office. But he never thought of coming in. We had to put up the notice inside our office,” Gawai claimed.
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Bhartia, Sarda to fight for prez post?

FORMER president of VHA Radheshyam Sarda and incumbent chief of the association BC Bhartia, in all probability, will fight for the president’s post.
Though both are not life members of the association, they have acquired voting rights through affiliated units. 
While Sarda got representation from Nagpur United Club, Bhartia will be representing Eagle Sports Club, Ajni.
Sarda was VHA president in 2005 when the elections of the association were held after a gap of 18 years. Sarda had defeated late Balraj Aher.
Bhartia defeated Sarda in 2006 and again won the president’s post in the 2007. Since then Bhartia is at the helm as no elections were held.
Meanwhile, there is a possibility of the president’s post getting locked in a three-way fight. Former NMC Standing Committee Chairman Dayashankar Tiwari’s name is also doing rounds for the president’s post. Tiwari got representation from Aryabhatta Hockey Club.

Incumbent secretary Vinod Gawai, will represent District Hockey Association, Akola.

VHA elections on Nov 16

Principal Correspondent

THE much-awaited elections of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) will be held on November 16 at VHA office off Amravati Road.
According to a press release issued by Assistant Charity Commissioner office-appointed Election Officer Harish Gadge, the election procedure will start from October 31 (see box 
on right).
‘The Hitavada’ was the first to report that elections would be held in the third week of November.
The elections would be held for 13 posts which include President (one post), Vice-Presidents (four posts), honorary secretary (one post), joint secretary (one post), honorary treasurer (one post), executive members (five posts). Three of the five executive members would be elected through Affiliated Units (School, Colleges, Clubs and District Association) while two will be elected by life members and patrons.
On October 31, voters’ list would be displayed at VHA office, which will be the election office till the elections.
Objection on voters’ list can be submitted to the election officer on November One. The final voters’ list would be displayed on November 3.
Sale of nomination forms would begin on November 5. Those interested in contesting the elections can submit their duly filled forms on November 7. The election officer would scrutinise the forms on November 8. Contestants can withdraw their names on November 9 and final list of valid contestants along with their symbols would be displayed at the venue same evening. Polling would be held on November 16 and results will be declared same evening.
Gadge will be assisted by RH Padalwar and TR Wagh in the election process.
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Affiliated Units to note

Election officer Harish Gadge has appealed all Affiliated Units (Schools, Colleges, Clubs and District Associations) to send authority letters with names of their authorised representatives, who would cast their votes during VHA elections, before October 22. Letters should be addressed to the VHA Election Officer at Assistant Charity Commissioner Office, Nagpur.

The letters can be delivered by hand or post at the above mentioned address on all working days. Authority letters would not be accepted on holidays, said Gadge. Authority letters should be as per Rule 13 of Election Rules and Regulation of VHA, he added. A copy of Election Rules and Regulations, which will cost Rs 200 (per copy), will be available at Assistant Charity Commissioner office and VHA office off Amravati Road. In 2005, 45 Affiliated Units of VHA participated in the elections.
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2014 - Election Programme

DATE TIME          PROGRAMME
31.10.14 1 pm         Display of voters list
1.11.14 11 to 3 pm Objection on voters list
3.11.14 11 to 3 pm Hearing and decision on 
                        objection on voters list 

                        and display of final voters list
5.11.14 11 to 2 pm Sale of nomination forms
7.11.14 11 to 2 pm Submission of nomination forms
8.11.14 11 to 3 pm   Scrutiny of nomination forms
         After 3 pm Display of valid contestants name
9.11.14 11 to 2 pm Withdrawal of nomination forms
         3 pm        Display of final list of contestants
         4 pm        Issue of symbols to panels 
                       and independent contestants
         5 pm        Display of valid symbols 

                       to panels and contestants
16.11.14 9 am to 3 pm  Voting for 13 posts
        4 pm onwards Counting of ballot and 
                                        announcement of results
Venue: Polling will be held at VHA office, off Amravati Road.

VHA polls likely in 3rd week of Nov

n By Paritosh Pramanik

THE much-awaited elections of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) is all set to be held in the third week of November.
According to sources, the election programme will be out in a couple days.
According to sources, the election process would be of at least 15 days. “There is a possibility that the election would be held in the third week of November. The election process might start from October 31,” the source informed ‘The Hitavada’.
If the sources are the be believed voting and counting will be held at VHA office off Amravati Road. Like last three elections, the results would be declared on the same day of polling, it has been learnt.
Meanwhile, VHA has submitted all the required documents and an Election Expense Account too has been opened with a nationalised bank recently. 
It is worth mentioning that DS Karunashankar, life member of VHA, had won a legal battle against VHA in the Supreme Court in April 2013 regarding the elections of the association.
The apex court had dismissed VHA’s special leave petition challenging the order passed by Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court to hold VHA elections as per the list of 2005. The Deputy Charity Commissioner had appointed Khapekar, in May 2011 to hold VHA elections but VHA’s revision petitions on the order kept the matter sub-judice.
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, on September 3, 2012, had asked the Deputy Charity Commissioner to hold elections as per the list of 2005. VHA had challenged the decision and approached Supreme Court in Feb, 2013 but their Special Leave Petition, too, was dismissed.
On July 11, 2014, Deputy Charity Commissioner had appointed Harish Gadge as election officer and RH Padalwar and TR Wagh as his assistants to conduct elections.
The election of VHA was supposed to be held before October 11 but due to Assembly polls in Maharashtra, Gadge had no other option but to postpone the polls as he and his assistants got busy in Assembly election duty.
The last election of VHA was held in 2007. 
However, the court ruled 2005 election illegal and directed Deputy Charity Commissioner Office to hold 2014 elections as per 2005 list. In 2005, 232 voters (including patrons, life members and affiliated units) exercised their franchise and Radheshyam Sarda won the president’s post defeating Balraj Aher.
At present, BC Bhartia is the president and Vinod Gavai is the secretary of the association.

Nagpur gets its own Glasgow Games ‘winner’

NAGPUR, Aug 6, 2014
By Paritosh Pramanik

A NAGPURIAN might still take years to win medal at the Commonwealth Games, but the Glasgow Games that concluded on Sunday, already had one from Orange City emerging as a surprise ‘winner’.
Nagpur’s Omprakash Mundra emerged ‘winner’ on the final day of the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mundra, who was watching the men’s final of badminton event at Emirates Arena, was thrilled when gold medal winner Parupalli Kashyap gifted him his racquet after defeating Derek Wong of Singapore in the summit clash.
Everybody saw Kashyap, a bronze-medallist at the Delhi Games, animatedly celebrating his historic 21-14, 11-21, 21-19 triumph over Wong. Kashyap rose to the occasion and played a sensational game of nerves to eke out a breath-taking win in the over an hour final showdown. 
Kashyap flung his racquet in the air and continued his celebration on the court. Immediately after that the shuttler picked up his racquet and ran towards Mundra, who was cheering the Indian throughout the summit clash from the stands. Kashyap took the Indian flag from Mundra and handed his racquet surprising all present in the arena.
“It really surprised me as well as all those present when Kashyap came to me running and asked for the Indian flag. It was more like a shock than surprise when he gifted me his racquet with which he had just created history,” said Mundra while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ over phone from Glasgow.
“I think he (Kashyap) might have heard my cheering from the stands as I was continuously shouting and supporting him throughout the match,” said an elated Mundra.
“Even before the final, Kashyap obliged me by clicking a photograph,” said Mundra. A die-hard sports lover, Mundra was in Glasgow specially to support Indian athletes. The steel businessman from city also witnessed the squash final which Indian pair of Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa won defeating England’s Jenny Duncalf and Laura Massaro.
The lucky charm of Indian contingent was also present in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre where Indian wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt won the yellow metals.
“I love sports and love to support our sportspersons,” said Mundra, who reached Glasgow directly from Rio de Janeiro where he was selected as a volunteer of VVIP Hospitality Enclosure for the June-July FIFA World Cup, along with his wife Premlata.
After spending more than two months on ‘sports field’, Mundra will be returning back to Nagpur on Thursday with the ‘surprise gift’ and fond memories of two mega sporting events of the world. He will take ‘rest’ before embarking on ‘participating’ in another 
sports event.

Brazil calling for sports lovers Mundras

By Paritosh Pramanik

ANOTHER major sporting event and one more big ‘assignment’ awaits Orange City’s Omprakash and Premlata Mundra.
The globetrotting couple will be leaving for Brazil on Wednesday to be part of one of the biggest sporting events on earth—FIFA
World Cup 2014 which kicks off from June 12.
Like many other mega events including Olympic Games, Winter Games, Confederations Cups, the Mundras will once again don the volunteers’ dress during the June 12-July 13 event in various cities of Brazil.
Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Omprakash, a steel businessman, said he is very lucky to get a chance to volunteer at the Brazil World Cup.
“I am really lucky to get this chance. I will be watching ‘the
beautiful game’ and the stars in flesh and blood.”
The couple will be volunteering at the famous Maracana stadium in Rio where final will also be played.
“It’s a dream come true to witness and volunteer at Maracana. Very few get a chance to volunteer at Maracana, the Mecca of Football,” said Omprakash, who along with his wife Premlata, would probably be the only married couple to volunteer during the World Cup.
Though Mundras have travelled round the globe and have immense experience of volunteering in several Olympics and football World Cups, it was not easy for them to get volunteers’ accreditation for Brazil World Cup. Their preparation for 2014 World Cup started immediately after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
“We were trying for volunteers’ job for last three years, immediately after the South Africa World Cup to be precise. Our efforts paid off and we both got volunteers’ accreditation from FIFA,” informed Omprakash, who had visited Brazil on three previous occasions which includes 2013 Confederation Cup.
The couple would also be attending exciting matches of Spain vs Netherlands (June 13 at Salvador), Argentina vs Bosnia (June 15 at Rio), Spain vs Chile (June 18 at Rio), Belgium vs Russia (June 22 at Rio), Spain vs Australia (June 23 at Curitiba), Costa Rica vs England (June 24 at Belo Horizonte), France vs Equador (June 25 at Rio).
“Apart from league matches I have purchased tickets of round of 16 matches at Rio, Fortaleza and of quarter-final matches,” said Omprakash, a hard-core fan of Brazil.
This will be for the fourth consecutive time that Mundras would be watching the FIFA World Cup.
“We have been at 2002 Japan-South Korea World Cup and also witnessed the Germany World Cup in 2006.
“In 2010 we went to South Africa and this would be our fourth straight FIFA World Cup,” Omprakash stated.
The accomplished travellers know how expensive it is to stay in foreign countries. They always try to keep their expenses to the minimum.
“We have rented an apartment with kitchen in Rio which is just 1.4 kms from Maracana Stadium. We will be staying with other volunteers there. This will also help us in preparing Indian food.
“It is very difficult to get Indian food in Brazil. In last couple of visits to Brazil I have made some good Brazilian friends and they too can cook vegetarian food. It will be like at home for us,” said 63-year-old Omprakash.
Mundra said that though there are protests going on in Brazil, it will die down when the tournament starts.
“There were protests during Confederation Cup 2013 too but all the matches witnessed a full house. During World Cup also, I feel that the tournament would be protest-free and a sell-out event.”

‘Post-2005 members delaying VHA elections’

Principal Correspondent
March, 29, 2014

TARGETING Vidarbha Hockey Association President BC Bhartia and other post-2005 members of the association DS Karunashankar, former VHA treasurer, has accused them of using various tactics to delay VHA elections and abiding by the Supreme Court’s order.
According to Karunashankar, these ‘86 voters’ have no say in the election process as the Court has already ordered to hold elections as per 2005 voters’ list.
Karunashankar has won the legal battle against VHA in the Supreme Court in April 2013 regarding the elections of the association.
The apex court had dismissed VHA’s special leave petition challenging the order passed by Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court to hold VHA elections as per 2005 voters’ list.
According to Karunashankar, the Deputy Charity Commissioner was to give ‘matter to be closed’ order on March 20, 2014 but around 86 ‘VHA members and patrons’ who got ‘life membership’ after 2007 approached the Deputy Charity Commissioner and filed an application under Section 73-A of the MPT Act for intervention.
The interveners prayed to “allow instant application for intervention and grant permission to intervene in the instant proceeding filed by the applicants, in the interest of justice.”
Out of the 86 ‘VHA members’ the application was duly signed by ‘53 members’.
“These are nothing but delaying tactics by Bhartia and his members. They don’t want to leave the association and hence are using all such means,” alleged Karunashankar while addressing a press conference.
The Deputy Charity Commissioner had appointed Election Officer AR Khapekar, in May 2011 to hold VHA elections but VHA’s revision petitions on the order kept the matter sub-judice.
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, on September 3, 2012, had asked the Deputy Charity Commissioner to hold VHA elections as per the voters’ list of 2005. VHA had challenged the decision and approached Supreme Court in February, 2013 but their Special Leave Petition was dismissed.
The 86 members have now filed an application with the Deputy Charity Commissioner stating that they became members of the association after 2005 by paying membership fee and they be allowed to present ‘the facts’ on the order.
“How can they have a say when the court had ordered to hold elections as per 2005 voters’ list,” asked Karunashankar.
“The apex court, on April 22, 2013, dismissed VHA’s special leave petition and directed Deputy Charity Commissioner, Nagpur to hold the elections as per 2005 voters’ list which had a total of 317 voters including schools, colleges, clubs and affiliated units,” he informed.
BC Bhartia’s cell phone was “switched off” when ‘The Hitavada’ tried to contact him for his reaction.

.................

Gadge named new election officer for VHA elections

n Principal Correspondent

THE much-awaited elections of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) might get delayed further. After AR Khapekar, who was appointed as the election officer, showed his inability due to his busy schedule, the Deputy Charity Commissioner has now appointed HK Gadge as the new election officer.
According to information, Gadge will be assisted by RH Padalwar and TR Wagh in the election procedure.
Karunashankar won a lengthy legal battle against VHA in Supreme Court which directed Deputy Charity Commissioner to hold elections to the association as per 2005 voters’ list.
The apex court had dismissed VHA’s special leave petition challenging the order passed by Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court to hold VHA elections as per 2005 voters’ list. The Deputy Charity Commissioner had appointed Khapekar, in May 2011 to hold VHA elections but VHA’s revision petitions on the order kept the matter sub-judice.
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, on September 3, 2012, had asked the Deputy Charity Commissioner to hold elections as per the voters’ list of 2005.
VHA, then, had challenged the decision and approached Supreme Court in Feb, 2013 but their Special Leave Petition, too, was dismissed.
Later, an intervention plea filed by several ‘members’ of VHA who got membership after May 2007 too was rejected by the Deputy Charity Commissioner in the month of May 2014. Khapekar was then appointed as election officer.
After Khapekar showed his inability to conduct VHA elections, Karunashankar had no option but to plea to deputy charity commissioner to re-appoint another election officer. Deputy Charity Commissioner then had appointed Sahare but as he was indisposed Gadge was named as the election officer along with Padalwar and Wagh a few days back.
As per 2005 voters’ list, VHA has 316 voters which includes patrons, life members, schools, colleges and district units. All now depends on Gadge as to how long he takes in announcing the dates for the elections.