Bleak home future forcing VHA players to opt for other teams, pub on Apr 16, 2016

Players part ways with Vidarbha, join Mumbai, Mah, Ind Rlys teams

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Apr 15, 2016

HAS the mass exodus of hockey players from Vidarbha started? It seems so. Three current hockey players from Vidarbha and another player, who had represented Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) some time in his career, have parted ways with their host association in search of greener pastures.
Dhyanchand Hockey Academy’s Wasim Khan and Aakib Rahim along with another former city player Irshad Mirza have found place in the 18-member strong Mumbai team which will take part in the Hockey India’s 6th Senior National Hockey Championship (Division A). The meet begins at Saifai in Uttar Pradesh from April 19.
Another player, Gomed Patil, has found a berth in the Maharashtra team which will also be taking part in the senior nationals.
Patil, who represented City Police, Nagpur, was selected in the Vidarbha squad for current nationals (Division B) but according to a VHA official, he did not get relieving letter from Maharashtra Police hence did not turn up for Vidarbha team. The midfielder was replaced by Thakurdas Goplani in the Vidarbha team that was thrashed badly in the tournament.
Wasim and Aakib joined Mumbai Port Trust five months back after winning hearts of the selectors. Interestingly both had played the VHA senior division league and won individual prizes for the exemplary performances.
Irshad Mirza, another player from Nagpur, is working with the Western Railways and is a regular in Mumbai hockey.
Niyaz Rahim, also a former player of Dhyanchand, is working with Southern Railways and has been selected for the fourth time in Indian Railways team.
The exodus is hampering the performance of Vidarbha team which was evident in the dismal performance at Saifai.
Though VHA officials are happy that players are getting opportunity to perform at higher level they feel that the players should choose between the two before appearing for the selections trials.
“It is good that our players are finding place in other teams too. We also want to see our players reaching greater heights and play for the country. But at the same time some action should be taken against those erring players who appear for trials and then refuse to be part of Vidarbha,” VHA Joint Secretary Pramod Jain told ‘The Hitavada’.
“Players appear for trials at Mumbai as well as Vidarbha. This should be stopped. Even Mumbai and Maharashtra should seek No Objection Certificates from the host association before allowing them to take part in selection trials,” he added.
Jain kept harping about the technical aspect but the fact is players are getting very little opportunities to show their talent in Nagpur. Lack of astro turf is also hampering development of the game in the region.
“We hardly get a chance to play on astro turf. There is no turf in entire Vidarbha whereas today’s hockey is played only on turf all over the world. We can’t become victim of dirty politics of Vidarbha hockey,” a player, on the condition of anonymity, told their plight. 
“More players would move away if the situation does not change,” he added.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that district associations including Amravati, Akola and Aurangabad, affiliated with VHA for several decades, have joined Hockey Maharashtra.

It’s a dream, says goalkeeper Chikte

 By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Apr 16, 2016

WITH the silver medal dangling around his neck, India goalkeeper Akash Chikte was over the moon. Never in his dreams had he thought that he would play title match in his debut tournament. On Saturday, India won silver in the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament at Ipoh, Malaysia after going down to world number 1 Australia 4-0.
Chikte said he learnt a lot from his maiden international tournament.
“I have never thought that I would play final in my first international tournament. It’s like icing on the cake. First my direct international call in the senior team and then a silver medal. It’s like a dream,” the goalkeeper hailing from Yavatmal, told ‘The Hitavada’ on phone from Ipoh.
Chikte has never played for junior India team and directly found a place in the main squad.
Chikte was the first choice for the summit clash against Australia. “Just before the match I was informed that I would be guarding the post... I was very happy to play in the final. I was not nervous. I kept calm and was very cool,” said the BEG Pune custodian.
Chikte, who plays for Ranchi Rays in Hockey India League, said the franchisee-based tournament helped him a lot during Azlan Shah meet.
“HIL is a great platform to learn and gain confidence. My stint with Ranchi Rays helped me in this tournament,” he said.
This is just the beginning and Chikte said he has a long way to go.
“I will have to work really hard from here on. There are lots of positives but also have to learn a lot. I will have to improve my calling. How to call players while there is an attack... How to ask players to mark opponents and many more thing,” he said.
“This medal means a lot to me, for my hometown Yavatmal and also for Vidarbha and Maharashtra. I hope it will give a boost to the game in entire region,” Chikte concluded.

VHA not to send senior women’s team for Bengaluru nationals

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Apr 12, 2016

ALREADY on the decline the hockey scenario in Vidarbha seems to be touching nadir, especially in the women’s 
section.
After refusing to send the sub-junior girls’ hockey team to Assam for the nationals in January, Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) has once again failed to find 18 girls for the Hockey India’s 6th National Championship to be held at Bengaluru.
The tournament begins on April 18 and Vidarbha team was supposed to leave on 15th. But with police recruitment under way in the city, most of the players have decided to opt for that and skip the important national tournament.
Surprisingly, VHA has not declared the team and informed the girls about the selection, a practice never heard before.
“Most of the players whom we contacted said they would be giving preference to police recruitment and could not go for the national,” said Pramod Jain, VHA Joint Secretary.
“We have done all the paper work and the railway concession letters are also ready. But with 10 out of 18 girls refusing to accompany the team we decided not to send the team,” Jain added.
Roshni Khobragade (GK), Shraddha Nakhale, Nirmala Dhurve, Neelam Nishad, Sunita Yadav, Sangita Meshram, Monali Khewale, Monu Uikey, Damini Sakhare and Almas Pathan were the 10 selected players out of 18.
The police recruitment drive will continue till April 19. Vidarbha, placed in Pool A along with Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagra Haveli and Madhya Bharat, have their match scheduled for April 18. The decision of these 10 players will affect the remaining eight who lost a chance to earn national certificates.
“We also know it’s harsh on them (the other eight girls). But we are helpless,” said secretary DS Karunashankar.
In January VHA did not send the team as it was ‘under-prepared’ and would have attracted ignominy.
Jain said that around 40 players appeared for selection trials which included mostly from Nagpur, a couple from Bhandara and Yavatmal and none from Amravati.
The episode once again highlights the poor condition of women’s hockey in the district. VHA has its task cut out to reach the affiliated districts, too, which usually are touched only during election period. 

Win against Canada sweeter than Pak: Chikte

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Apr 12, 2016

ANY Indian player would rate the win against Pakistan as the sweetest but not India goalkeeper Akash Chikte. Playing his second international match, that too against arch-rivals Pakistan, Chikte stood tall under the bar as India thrashed the Green Brigade 5-1 in Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament at Ipoh in Malaysia on Tuesday.
After his super performance against Canada a couple of days ago, the Indian think-tank put their faith in Chikte and gave him a chance to play against Pakistan.
The former Vidarbha goal-keeper did well and conceded only one goal in India’s 5-1 win.
“The win against Canada was much sweeter than this (against Pakistan),” said Chikte when asked to compare between the two.
“That was my first international match. I was a bit under pressure but we emerged victors,” he said. “Playing first match and emerging winners gives a soothing feeling,” said Chikte while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ from Malaysia.
India defeated Canada 3-1 and Chikte was introduced in the second quarter after Harjot Singh had conceded a penalty corner for kicking the ball while it was outside the circle. Canada had scored from that corner.
On Tuesday Chikte conceded one goal off a penalty corner conversion which he could have saved.
“I could have saved it. I judged it well but may be I was a bit slow. The ball brushed my stick and entered the goal,” said the lanky keeper who hails from Yavatmal’s Lohara village.
“I have saved same shot in previous (against Canada) match. I thought this too could have been saved,” he added.
Chikte said he, like any other player, too was under pressure while playing against Pakistan.
“Against Pakistan....everybody feels the pressure...so did I. But I have gained a lot of confidence after playing this match,” the BEG player said.
“I have learned how to handle pressure against top teams after this game. Hope I continue my form in future and help India win the title,” Chikte concluded.

From Vidarbha to Ipoh: Akash touches the sky

Former Vidarbha goalkeeper to represent India in Sultan Azlan Shah


By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Apr 5, 2016

SOMETIME in mid 2008 a young, lean 15-year-old teenager stepped onto the green lawns of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA). With a tattered goal-keeping kit on his shoulders, Akash Chikte enrolled himself for the Under-16 selection trials for the Vidarbha team. A few days later, the team was declared and Chikte, son of welding shop owner Anil and Baby, found his name in the list of 18 for Bhopal nationals. Vidarbha team failed to reach the podium but that tournament changed Akash’s path and a brightened his chances to fulfill his dreams. A dream to don India colours and to be called an Olympian.
Born and brought up at Lohara village in Yavatmal district, one of Akash’s dreams will be fulfilled when the Indian hockey team locks horns with Japan in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament opener at Ipoh in Malaysia, on Wednesday.
What makes it more challenging for Akash is that he has not yet represented junior India. The selectors, putting faith in his “tremendous skills” directly marked him for the senior team.
“It’s unbelievable. I have never thought in my dreams that I would get direct entry into the senior team,” said Akash while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ from Ipoh, Malaysia.
The lanky Indian custodian played only one national for Vidarbha and then moved to Pune at the ripe age of 15. While honing his skills at Prabodhini, Akash was picked by Bombay Engineering Group (BEG) and now has been promoted as havaldar.
Akash’s journey from Nagpur to Ipoh was steep, if not bumpy. At Bhopal Nationals, he gave excellent performance which gave him a chance to get selected in Krida Prabodhini, Balewadi in Pune.
“That (Bhopal nationals) tournament changed my life. I have no hesitation in attributing my success to Vinod Gavai and his selectors who gave me the chance to represent Vidarbha.” Gavai was VHA secretary in 2008 when Akash was selected for Bhopal nationals.
“I got training from Sagar Thakur sir at BEG. He helped me a lot in my fitness and skill development.
“Hockey Maharashtra secretary Manoj Bhore sir, too, guided and encouraged me. He was like a pillar in my hockey career,” said Akash.
Akash’s journey was not easy, like any other hockey player. He belonged to a family which had to burn the midnight oil to make both ends meet.
“Those days were painful but it taught a lot. My father has a small welding shop. It was really hard to purchase good quality goal-keeping kit. There was only one kit in my school (Sai Vidyalaya). I somehow managed to arrange the kit. Though my parents supported me in building my hockey career, it was very difficult to purchase a costly kit,” recalled Akash.
“Things started to fall in line once I joined Balewadi and then BEG. Now, I am earning and shouldering my father’s burden to some extent,” said Akash, the eldest son of Anil.
It was Akash’s dream to reach the sky. The flight has taken off with his selection in the Indian team. His performance will decide whether he fulfills his second dream, playing at Rio.
“I have been selected in the 25 probables for Rio Olympics Games. My performance in Sultan Azlan Shah will be my ticket to Rio. Hope I get chance to play a few matches here at Ipoh,” Akash signed off as he had to attend his ‘first team meeting’ before the big opener.

Karunashankar is new VHA secretary

March 21, 2016
Sports Reporter

VIDARBHA Hockey Association has appointed DS Karunashankar as the new secretary. The decision was taken during the executive committee meeting held on Monday at the association’s office.
The secretary’s post was vacant since January after Vinod Kumar Trivedi tendered his resignation from the secretary’s post.
Karunashankar, a retired district judge, was vice-president of the assocation.
“It was a unanimous decision taken by our members,” said VHA president Radheshyam Sarda after the meeting.
Karunashankar may serve as secretary for three months as Sarda once again hinted that the elections will be held by  June.
“His tenure will only be for three months as I will try to hold the elections within three months,” informed Sarda.
The elections of the assocaition are due since November 2015.
In another positive development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked Sports Secretary to furnish a report regarding astro turf at VHA. VHA officials, led by Sarda and MLC Girish Vyas, have met Fadnavis demanding astro turf in the city.
“The letter to the sports secretary was issued on March 10,” informed Sarda.