Wednesday, November 30, 2016

VHA polls in limbo, pub on NOv 29, 2016.jpg


All allegations against me are baseless: Election officer Soni

 Sports Reporter

AMID blame game and responsibility-evading officials the scheduled election of the Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) looks a non-starter in the near future.
After drawing flak from VHA officials for “keeping in abeyance” elections originally scheduled on November 27, the Election Officer Shreegopal Soni has reiterated that without funds and legal opinion he would not proceed further.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Soni yet again reminded the VHA officials that he would need funds to seek legal opinion on the High Court’s stay order on the voting rights of 51 new members. 
“I need funds to conduct election and seek legal opinion on the HC stay order.
“Without this I cannot proceed further,” Soni said.
Soni refuted all allegations levelled against him over his working. “A few members of the association, who till November 24 were praising my way of working, are levelling baseless allegations. I am not favouring anybody. The election process is transparent and time to time I have consulted spokespersons of both the panels,” clarified Soni.
“The legal fees is around Rs 20,000. I have to take opinion from top advocates regarding the High Court’s stay order. I can’t spend this amount from my pocket,” he added.
To a query as to how he continued without funds, Soni said, “Till now, the money I have spent on election process is from the funds generated from sale of nomination forms. A few thousands have been spent from my own pocket,” Soni revealed.
VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, in the centre of controversy for not releasing funds, has had shown his inability to sign cheques. “I have no power to do so after the election date was announced,” he has reasoned.
In another embarrassing situation, the association, till date, has not changed the signatory in banks after the then secretary Vinod Trivedi resigned in January 2016 and DS Karunashankar was appointed in his place.
The association’s constitution, made in 1959, states “All cheques or drafts on the association’s bankers shall be operated both by the honorary treasurer and the honorary secretary.”
President Radheshyam Sarda, however, said that the association can release funds for election purpose at any given time. “They are making false statements that VHA can’t release funds after election date was announced,” said Sarda.

Meanwhile, the members are confused as to who would be in charge of the association if the election was called off. Some feel that the Sarda-led body cannot hold posts anymore after the election was announced.

HPP condemns election officer’s stand



Principal Correspondent

WITH over 60 odd voters, Hockey Promoters Panel (HPP) members, headed by Triloki Nath Sidhra, gathered in front of Vidarbha Hockey Association office on Sunday to condemn the decision of keeping election of the association in abeyance by Election Officer Shreegopal Soni. 
Soni announced his decision to keep it in abeyance on the eve of the election.
In a show of strength, supporters of Hockey Promoters Panel attended the ‘gate meeting’ and claimed that they have already won the election.
Hockey Promoters Panel’s presidential candidate BC Bhartia said a lot of mud-slinging is going on which has to be stopped.
“Mud-slinging should not be there in sports and sports administration. It has to be stopped. Soni has maligned the image of the association in entire Vidarbha. He has made mockery of the association by declaring that the association has not made provision for funds. When he confessed that he had written a letter demanding funds on Nov 1, 2016 then how and why he carried out the election process till Nov 26 if the funds were not released,” asked Bhartia.
“Even the ballot papers are manipulated. The names of candidates has to be in alphabetical order but it is not so which is prepared by the EC,” alleged Bhartia.
Life member HCV ‘Baba’ Rocque asked in what capacity the election officer kept the election on hold.
“Did election officer has any power to put the election on hold,” asked Rocque.
Former secretary Vinod Gawai, informed that since 1987 till 2005 there was no proper elected body of the association hence the question of incorporating new members doesn’t arise.
“When there was no balance sheet made nor any AGM held since 1987 to 2005, how come 51 members got enrolled in 1989,” asked Gawai.
“Some people have vested interest in this 4-acre VHA land which is in prime locality. The ground which has a market value of over RS 250 crores. Members should understand this and come forward to save it,” alleged Gawai.
“It is very painful that politics is being played in the name of hockey,” he added.
Another life member RK Mishra suggested that Hockey Promoters Panel should give a letter to Charity Commissioner with list of new office bearers.
“We should ask Charity Commissioner to appoint our new body as ad-hoc body to carry out day to day work.” Sidhra seconded Mishra’s suggestion.
“The council can appoint a body. We should appoint a temporary executive body and submit it to Charity Commissioner and ask them to hold election under its watchful eye,” felt life member Anil Agrawal.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

VHA election put on hold


Lack of legal clarity after HC order forces election officer to put poll “in abeyance”

Principal Correspondent

THE much-awaited election of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), scheduled on Sunday, has been “kept in abeyance” by the election officer Shreegopal Soni after the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court ruled against inclusion of 51 life members in voters’ list.
Due to lack of clarity over the legal process following the HC order, Soni decided to keep the election process in abeyance. The decision was conveyed to both Hockey Lovers and Hockey Promoters Panel on Saturday evening.
Immediately after Soni’s announcement, members of Hockey Lovers and Hockey Promoters Panel started blaming each other for the ‘mess’. A mild commotion took place amongst the members who were immediately pacified by those present.
VHA life member and treasurer Shyam Sharma had moved Court on November 18 demanding removal of 51 new life members from the voters’ list for the election scheduled on November 27. VHA, in mid-October, had included 51 new members following Deputy Charity Commissioner’s order passed in May 2015.
Sharma was against inclusion of new members and even had sought explanation from secretary DS Karunashankar for delay in submitting the order. The order was presented to the VHA executive 16 months after it was passed. Sharma then approached High Court requesting to set aside the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s order as it was presented before the executive committee just a few days before the elections were declared.
The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court passed an order on Friday setting aside the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s order of granting membership and voting rights to 51 new members.
High Court order stated, “Since the elections are scheduled on 27.11.12016 and since we prima facie find that the Deputy Charity Commissioner, Nagpur did not have the jurisdiction to direct the petitioner to permit 51 members to attend the meeting and to vote in the election, the impugned order is stayed, till the returnable date.”
On Saturday, citing very less time to study the High Court’s order and making necessary changes in the election process, election officer Soni decided to keep the election in abeyance.
Soni displayed a letter on the notice board of the association stating: 1. “Hon’ble High Court of Bombay, Nagpur bench has passed an order dated 25th November, 2016 in WP No 6544 of 2016. The said copy has been handed over to me by TN Sidhra on 25th Nov 2016 at 07:15 pm.
2. “That, it is necessary for me to take legal opinion in the matter before proceeding further in the matter. This shall take some time and involve substantial expenditure.
3. “That, incidentally Vidarbha Hockey Association, in spite of my written request letter dated 1st November, 2016 has not released any fund for conducting elections. That, in view of the above, further election process is being kept in abeyance.”
Soni said, “it is now upto the VHA executive committee to take decision and release funds if they want me to take any further steps in the election process.”
------------------

Will call emergent EC meeting soon: Sarda

VIDARBHA Hockey Association (VHA) president Radheshyam Sarda said he would call an emergent meeting as soon as he receives the notice from Election Officer Shreegopal Soni.
The election officer handed over the notice to VHA joint secretary Pramod Jain immediately after handing over the abeyance notice to the members of Hockey Lovers and Hockey Promoters Panel.
“I have not yet seen the letter. Once I get it, I will decide on when to call an emergent meeting,” said Sarda.
“I have requested treasurer Shyam Sharma on several occasions to sign the cheque so that funds could be released for election process but he didn’t,” said Sarda.
SARDA HAS NO POWER TO CALL MEETING: SIDHRA
HOCKEY Promoters Panel’s founder president Triloki Nath Sidhra said VHA president Radheshyam Sarda has no power now to call emergent meeting as the election process is under way.
“He has no power to call an emergent meeting. Even if he calls one, we will not participate in it as he is no more the president of the association. The election process is under way. How can he (Sarda) call a meeting now,” asked Sidhra.
“During the last meeting of executive body I had asked Sarda to release Rs 70-80,000 for election purpose but he didn’t listen. Now he has no power to call the meeting,” claimed Sidhra.
He also questioned the election officer’s decision to put the elections in abeyance. “High Court order states that the membership and voting rights of 51 members were stayed. Nowhere it is ordered to postpone or put the elections in abeyance. Soni should have removed those 51 members’ names and moved ahead with the elections,” Sidhra stated.

HC stays voting rights to VHA’s 51 new members


Principal Correspondent

IN A major boost to the confidence and chances of Hockey Promoters Panel in the ensuing November 27 Vidarbha Hockey Association’s (VHA) elections, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court stayed the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s order on granting life membership and voting rights to 51 members, on Friday.
VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, who is also contesting for the vice-president’s post, had approached High Court against the inclusion of new 51 life members in the voters list, just before the elections.
The order passed by Justices Vasanti Naik and Swapna Joshi states, “None appears on behalf of the respondent No 2 (GM Pillay) and No 4 (Secretary VHA) though served. Since the elections are scheduled on 27.11.12016 and since we prima facie find that the Deputy Charity Commissioner, Nagpur did not have the jurisdiction to direct the petitioner to permit 51 members to attend the meeting and to vote in the election, the impugned order is stayed, till the returnable date.”
This means the new 51 members will not be entitled to cast their votes in the election.
VHA president Radheshyam Sarda said he did not receive the court notice as he was out of town since last three days. “I was in Aurangabad since last three days and returned yesterday evening. I did not get any notice. VHA secretary DS Karunashankar was indisposed and got discharge from hospital today evening” he said.
Meanwhile, Hockey Promoters Panel’s presidential candidate BC Bhartia said it is a moral victory to his camp. “It is definitely a moral victory for us. However, there were voters who would have cast their votes in our favour. But we now have the upper hand,” claimed Bhartia.
Meanwhile, Election Officer Shreegopal Soni said he received the order copy and will take legal opinion before taking any decision.
“I received the order copy around 36 hours before the elections. I will have to take legal opinion on what can be done.
The election officer will have to take a decision on whether to reject the nomination forms of those candidates whose proposer and seconder are from the new 51 members’ list. He will also have to remove any candidate contesting for any post from the list of 51 members.
“I will take a decision on Saturday evening,” said Soni.

Sharma moves HC demanding removal of 51 VHA members

n By Paritosh Pramanik

JUST two days before the election of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), treasurer Shyam Sharma has moved the High Court demanding removal of 51 new life members who were recently included in the voters’ list.
VHA, in mid-October, had included 51 new members following deputy charity commissioner’s order passed in May 2015. Sharma was against the move and even sought explanation from secretary DS Karunashankar for delay in submitting the order. The order was presented to the VHA executive 16 months after it was passed. Sharma has now approached the High Court requesting to set aside the deputy charity commissioner’s order as it was presented before the executive committee on the day when elections were declared.
“I am not against elections. I only want those 51 members should not be allowed to cast their votes in this election. Hence I have approached the court praying to set aside the deputy charity commissioner’s order dated May, 2015. The order was presented before the executive committee committee after 16 months (in October, 2016),” Sharma told ‘The Hitavada’.
Sharma has made former VHA incharge secretary Gurumurthy Pillay and Vidarbha Hockey Association party in the case.
When contacted, VHA president Radheshyam Sarda said he has not received any notice from the court while Pillay confirmed about receiving it on Wednesday evening.
Sharma, along with TN Sidhra, Kishor Goydani and Sanjay Lokhande, had opposed the timing of inclusion of 51 members during the executive committee meeting. “The reason to oppose the adoption is that when the certified copy of the judgement was procured by (DS) Karunashankar in May 2015 why did he keep it under wraps for 16 months. Suddenly they come up with the list of members and order. Why was it not put before the committee when he got the copy of the judgement 16 months back,” Sharma had asked.
Sharma was one of the intervenors along with Vinod Gawai in the case.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Not holding VHA elections after one year was a mistake: Sarda

Sports Reporter
Nagpur, Nov 20
VIDARBHA Hockey Association (VHA) president and presidential candidate of Hockey Lovers Panel conceded that his body made a mistake by not holding association’s elections after completion of their one year tenure in November 2015.
Sarda apologised all the stakeholders but said that the association did not have proper books of accounts which forced them to postpone the election for two years.
The election of the association are going to be held on November 27 at VHA office, Amravati Road.
Addressing a press conference, Sarda said, “the cheque book, receipt books are still with Shyam Sharma (treasurer). He also did not release funds for election purpose. Since early 2015 we did not get support from Sharma.”
Sarda rolled out all the ‘achievements’ of his body in the last two years but failed to give concrete reply on not holding district tournament and not approaching Hockey India for annual grant.
“There are two associations in almost every districts affiliated with VHA. It was very difficult to organise a district tournament as we were not sure which body is legal,” replied the VHA president.
On Hockey India’s grant, Sarda accepted that they did a mistake of not contacting the country’s hockey governing body on the issue. “To avail a grant, proper audited accounts is needed. When we came into power, we did not get all the relevant documents from previous body. Later, we could not prepare audited accounts due to non co-operation from treasurer. We did not contact Hockey India on the issue for a solution for which we accept our mistake,” said Sarda.
On his body’s tenure, Sarda said they tried to conduct almost all the regular tournaments.
Sarda said the association is progressing in the right direction on acquiring Astro Turf at Nagpur.
“Maharashtra Government has recommended the proposal to the Central Government in the month of April. We have approached BJP sports Cell chief Rani Nighot Dwivedi, a former hockey player from Nagpur, to look after our proposal,” Sarda informed.
Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, Sanat Vora, Sunil Agrawal, GM Pillay, Salim Baig, AP Joshi and all other candidates of Hockey Lovers Panel were also present during the press conference.

Monday, November 14, 2016

A Revolutional Change of Guard


Under Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, FIH will grow like never before


By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 13, 2016

“This jacket I am wearing today is of my son...I am really proud of him,” an emotional Dr Narinder Batra said in Dubai on Saturday immediately after he was elected as the president of International Hockey Federation, The FIH.
Dr Batra, the Hockey India President, lost his son at a young age of 27 on October 30, 2014 while holidaying with family in Morocco. Since then, the former Jammu and Kashmir hockey player has incorporated his son’s name as his middle name. Today, the world knows him as Narinder Dhruv Batra.
Dr Batra loved his son the most, like every other parent do. But incorporating son’s name as middle name is seldom heard of. Dr Batra has always tried to do something new, unique and unheard of. Same he did with Indian hockey transforming it from a pennyless federation to one of the richest among Olympic playing sports federation in the country.
From leading Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association in early 2000 to heading world hockey (FIH), Dr Batra has won many a hearts world over with his ‘abrasive’ style of working.
His election as the president of world hockey is seen as a ‘new revolution.’
Dr Batra, “The newcomer’ to the administration of international hockey, garnered 68 votes out of eligible 118 to emerge victors defeating Ireland’s David Balbirnie (29 votes) and Australia’s Ken Read (13), both long-time FIH members.
Dr Batra’s appointment as FIH chief is more creditable as he was up against giants of the FIH administrative structure having decade-long association and experience of running the game at the world level as compared to his association with the world hockey governing body.
It needed a lot of hard work from Hockey India president to win confidence of members, world over. He travelled to length and breadth, from one continent to another in last one month. In his own words he had “had breakfast in one country, lunch in another and dinner in third across the continent in one single day.”
This touch-and-go sojourn was only to win hearts (and votes) of hockey playing nations that had blindly supported European candidates since FIH came into existence way back in early 1900. The wandering Dr Batra managed to convince 68 nation’s representatives how he could bring a ‘revolution’ in hockey. Definitely, he gave example of Indian hockey which has grown leaps and bounds since 2008.
It was Dr Batra who changed the face of Indian hockey, brought in money and took the national game back to a respectable height.
For some Dr Batra is abrasive, but many believe that his aggressiveness is the reason for the growth of Indian hockey. After India failed to qualify for 2008 Beijing Olympics, Sports Ministry and Indian Olympic Association disbanded Indian Hockey Federation and Hockey India was born with Dr Batra as its first treasurer.
With his stupendous administrative and marketing capability, Dr Batra, who also worked as the treasurer of Delhi District Cricket Association, raked in crores of rupees in Indian hockey through big sponsorship deals.
Well aware of the significance of marketing a sport in India, Dr Batra made full use of India’s financial might and roped in the best corporates of the country who pumped in money in crores for revival of the game. The start of Hockey India League, though not the first in India, helped hockey grow like never before. HIL forced other ‘developed’ countries to look up at India and also take it seriously.
With his tremendous marketing skills, Dr Batra made empty coffers of Hockey India ringing. Such flawless was his planning that India became one of the richest sports governing federations in India, after cricket, in less than a decade. And he would use all his brains to make FIH a financially healthy federation.
While campaigning as a presidential candidate of FIH, Dr Batra had said that he would not change his abrasive style of working. This shows how straightforward man he is. Dr Batra wants to call Spade a Spade and never believes in speaking behind the back to gain favours.
In 2005 he had waged a war against then IHF president KPS Gill questioning several of his decisions. He had also openly opposed breaching of the federation constitution and had also sought financial auditing of the IHF.
In 2014, Dr Batra waged a war against FIH during Champions Trophy where India lost the semi-finals to Australia due to wrong decision of video umpire during shoot-out.
Apart from his straightforwardness, Dr Batra has the best marketing brain at present in Indian hockey which he would definitely use in promoting the game at world level. It is no hidden secret that Dr Batra would use his uncanny way of marketing in an attempt to expand the reach of hockey in those parts of the world where it has never been before.
To make the game grow, Dr Batra has started Hockey 5s in India with the first nationals in Pune, recently. Similarly, the 20-min per half game would be popularised worldwide which can attract major corporate houses of the world. That would top Dr Batra’s priority list. He wants to expand the boundaries of hockey playing nations from 14 to over 40. And promoting Hockey 5s would help him in his maiden endeavour. FIH needs money to keep the game moving and Dr Batra has already chalked out a few developmental and promotional plans which he would put forth the FIH executive board when they meet in coming days.
Like his late son’s jacket, Dr Batra loves hockey to the core. His passion for the game is undeniable and with his skills and dexterity, the new FIH chief will definitely take hockey to the unknown. 
Under him, FIH and hockey will only grow like never before.
n

Battlelines drawn

26 in fray for 13 posts

Vinod Gawai, DS Karunashankar to fight for secretary’s post

n Principal Correspondent

THE Battlelines are finally drawn. Incumbent president Radheshyam Sarda will once again lock horns with former chief of Vidarbha Hockey Association BC Bhartia for president’s post in the ensuing November 27 election to be held at VHA office.
Former VHA vice-president DS Karunashankar, who was appointed as secretary after Vinod Trivedi resigned from his post early this year, will face a tough fight from former secretary of the association Vinod Gawai.
Twenty-six candidates from two panels—Hockey Lovers Panel and Hockey Promoters Panel— will be fighting for 13 posts of executive committee after eight candidates withdrew their nominations from various posts on the last day of withdrawal.
Total 427 voters including 99 affiliated units and 51 new life members will cast their votes to elect the new body for one year’s tenure.
As reported by ‘The Hitavada’ Trilokinath Sidhra, who had filed his nominations for the posts of treasurer and secretary, withdrew from both the posts.
But Shyam Sharma, who had held VHA treasurer’s post since 2005, decided to contest for vice-president’s post. 
Surprisingly, Sidhra and Sharma both had termed the election process illegal in a press conference, recently. Ghahshyam Purohit, who had held the treasurer’s post for a brief period in Bhartia-Gawai regime will be up against KC Fulsunge for treasurer’s post while Pramod Jain will once again take on Bhaskar Naidu for joint secretary’s post.
The results will be declared on November 27 night.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Sidhra-Gawai join hands?



Rivals Hockey Promoters Panel and Hockey Lovers Panel approach Hockey Development Panel to join hands with them for Nov 27 polls

By Paritosh Pramanik

HECTIC parleys are on between all the three contesting panels ahead of the Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) elections scheduled on November 27.
With none of the three panels sure of clear majority, members of three panels—Hockey Lovers Panel (HLP), Hockey Development Panel (HDP) and Hockey Promoters Panel (HPP) —have started talks to form the best possible group to rule the game in Vidarbha.
With Triloki Nath Sidhra’s Hockey Promoters Panel not purchasing nomination forms, speculations were rife on Monday about the former secretary and current vice-president joining hands with BC Bhartia-Vinod Gawai’s Hockey Development Panel.
Though none from both the panels—Hockey Promoters and Hockey Development—confirmed the alliance, insiders claimed that both have come together to wrest the 13-member executive committee.
Sources also revealed that Sidhra and Sharma have decided not to contest this election and support Bhartia-Gawai panel from outside.
If sources are to be believed, Sadar’s Hockey Lovers Panel members, too, had several rounds of talks with members of Bhartia-Gawai Panel but to no avail.
“HLP had offered to join hands and fight this election with Bhartia-Gawai panel this time. There was an offer to divide 12 posts among Hockey Lovers Panel and Hockey Development Panel and give the president’s post to Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh,” the source revealed.
“But members of Hockey Development Panel have demanded that members above 70 years of age should now stop from contesting and give chance to relative young members,” the source added.
Rumours also had it that Promoters Panel demanded secretary’s post for Sidhra from Development Panel members which was turned down.
“Talks are still on between them whether to vacate secretary’s post or not,” sources informed, adding, “but their members are of the view that Gawai is the best person for secretary’s post.”
Gawai was secretary of the association from 2007 to 2014 and has won many accolades for his style of functioning.
“Hockey Lovers Panel are all but sure to field incumbent President Radheshyam Sarda again for the top post and septuagenarian DS Karunashankar as the candidate for secretary’s post,” said a close associate of lovers panel.
The exact panel would be clear only by Tuesday or Wednesday when candidates file their nomination forms.
The last date for withdrawal is November 13.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Thirty-five nomination forms sold



Principal Correspondent

THE Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) election process gained momentum and moved to second level with the start of sale of nomination forms on Sunday. 
The election of the association will be held on November 27 at VHA office, Amravati Road.
Thirty-five nomination forms were sold on the first day of sale of forms.
Ruling Hockey Lovers Panel purchased 13 forms for 13 available posts while members of Hockey Development Panel purchased 21 forms. One single form was purchased by Harish Kothari, affiliated unit member (from Swaminarayan School). The last date of sale of nomination form is November 7 till 5 pm.
Hockey Promoters Panel preferred to take time and might purchase their nomination forms on Monday. 
A triangular fight is expected in the ensuing election with Triloki Nath Sidhra leading his Hockey Promoters Panel.
Assistant Election officers Adv Gopikishan Soni and CA Balkishan Bang sold the forms in absence of Election Officer Shreegopal Soni.
In the last elections held in November 2014, the alliance of Hockey Lovers and Hockey Promoters Panel had dethroned Hockey Development Panel to wrest all 13 posts.
But differences sprouted immediately between the two panels and this time both decided to part ways and fight on their own.  The last date of submission of nomination form is November 9 while scrutiny of forms will be held on November 11.
Candidates willing to withdraw their forms from contesting can do so by November 13.

VHA elections unconstitutional: Sidhra

n Principal Correspondent

AFTER the 2005, 2006-07 and 2007-08 elections of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) declared illegal by the Charity Commissioner, the ensuing November 27 polls of the hockey governing body of Vidarbha seem heading in the same direction.
VHA vice-president Triloki Nath Sidhra, who is also president of Hockey Promoters Panel, and treasurer Shyam Sharma claimed that the November 27 election of the association “is not (being held) as per the constitution of VHA”.
On Saturday, addressing a press conference, where executive member Sanjay Lokhande and former treasurer Shiv Singh Rathod were also present, Sidhra alleged several irregularities in the election process.
Sharma said no proper audit was made as he did not receive any “vouchers/bills and did not pass national participation (by teams) expenditure nor gave it to Hon Treasurer so that proper audit of account could be prepared.”
Sidhra said, “The Hon Secretary did not send any notice/information to any d
istricts, regarding holding of VHA election on 27-11-2016 for their nomination/representation.”
Sharma also alleged that he did not receive several vouchers of cheques issued by the president and secretary. “This election is unconstitutional as there are irregularities in the process and no proper audit has been done.”
Sidhra stated that during the general meeting held on February 21, 2016, some members alleged that VHA’s important documents and vouchers were burnt by some of the present executive members. “I have asked for an explanation on this issue but till date did not receive any reply,” Sidhra said.
When asked whether he had seen the video (taken by Gawai and associates) of burnt documents which he claims to be important, Sidhra replied in affirmative but was not sure whether the said “documents” were important or waste papers.
Sidhra also alleged that there was complaint against joint secretary Pramod Jain by the sub-junior girls’ hockey players and manager but no action had been taken.
Sharma doubted intentions of the then vice-president and present secretary DS Karunashankar of bringing out the list of 51 life members on the day when the elections were announced (Oct 12, 2016). “He (Karunashankar) had procured the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s order on May 25, 2015 but informed the executive committee on October 12, 2016, the day when elections were announced.
“This is all with ill-intentions to derive benefit during elections,” he alleged.
“I have always said that I am not against elections. At present I don’t have time to move court against those 51 life members. But I will challenge their inclusion in the voters’ list and the new body after the elections is over,” warned Sharma.
-------------
All vouchers, receipts are with VHA, claims Sarda

VIDARBHA Hockey Association President Radheshyam Sarda said all allegations of treasurer Shyam Sharma were baseless and informed that all the vouchers and receipts were at VHA office.
“All the vouchers and receipts are with the association in the office. Treasurer Shyam Sharma’s claims of irregularities are baseless. He never co-operated with us and never remained present in the office. Hence we have permitted joint secretary Pramod Jain to collect affiliation fees and spend funds for the daily use as and when needed. All the vouchers are with the association,” Sarda claimed.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Objections raised on voters’ list

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nov 3, 2016

VIDARBHA Hockey Association (VHA) ground is suddenly witnessing increasing footfalls these days. Life members and executive committee members, who hardly come to watch matches round the year, were seen thronging the venue on Wednesday evening.
The venue for November 27 elections was abuzz with life members and representatives of affiliated units submitting objection letters to Election Officer Shreegopal Soni.
As many as 13 objection letters were submitted on the last day of objection on voters’ list to the election officer.
While most of the letters were related to inclusion of missing names in the voters’ list, a few from district associations also approached the election officer for voting rights in the ensuing elections.
Rajendra Sharma, president of Hockey Association of Wardha District, submitted his letter asking to grant him the voting right.
Sharma had cast his vote in the 2014 elections of the association.
In his letter Sharma, who was the vice-president of the association in 2005, stated that Hockey Association of Wardha has paid the affiliation fee for 2015-16 and 2016-17 which proves that his district association is legally affiliated with VHA.
“We request you to consider the above submission carefully and grant permission to Rajendra Sharma to participate and exercise his right to vote at the ensuing election to VHA 2016,” the letter stated.
Similarly, former VHA secretary Vinod Gawai, Ravindra Francis, Unnat Khanna, Ratish Khanna, Ashok Sakargaye claimed that they were made patrons and life members in 2005 by the then president Radheshyam Sarda and treasurer Shyam Sharma but still their names are missing from the voters’ list. They all submitted their objection letter and requested the election officer to include their names before the final list is displayed on November 4.
Objection was also raised on the inclusion of 51 life members.
Election officer Soni has asked all the aggrieved parties to meet him at VHA office on Thursday evening.
“I have asked them to discuss their objections on Thursday evening and sort out problems, if any, amicably,” said Soni.
--------------------------------

Treasurer Sharma ‘refuses’ 
to release funds for election
THE internal fight amongst VHA officials has now come out in open. The ruling body was elected unopposed in 2014 after Sadar group, under the leadership of Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, and archrivals for decades TN Sidhra’s Hockey Promoters Panel joined hands to dethrone Bhartia-Gawai led Hockey Development Panel.
But immediately after winning the elections, differences started growing which continues till date.
After election officer Shreegopal Soni wrote to Radheshyam Sarda requesting release of funds for election on Tuesday, the VHA president wrote a letter to treasurer Shyam Sharma to release funds.
With no reply from Sharma till Wednesday evening, Sarda verbally asked Sharma to release funds but Sharma ‘refused’ stating the “proposal to release funds for election was not passed by the executive committee in the meeting held before the election dates were declared.” Altercation between the two continued and Sharma said he would reply to the letter soon.
Surprisingly, VHA executive committee, till date, has not changed the name of signatory (secretary) in the bank after Vinod Trivedi, the then secretary, resigned from his post and DS Karunashankar was appointed in his place.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

427 to cast votes in VHA elections

 By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR Nov 1, 2016
WITH the inclusion of 51 ‘fresh’ life members, the number of voters of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) has swelled up to 427. The VHA elections are scheduled on November 27. 
Election officer Shrigopal Soni displayed voters’ list at VHA office, Amravati road on October 29. Apart from the addition of 51 life members, who were included after Deputy Charity Commissioner’s orders, 17 district units have got affiliated with the association.
Out of these 17 districts very few have participated in district tournaments of VHA. If reports are to be believed, out of the 17 district units, several associations are already affiliated with Hockey Maharashtra.
“It’s vote bank politics. Several district units are affiliated with VHA only to secure votes,” said a member of the ruling group. “How can these units get affiliation with two state bodies,” the member asked.
Similarly, ‘B’ division clubs have also gone up with 31 getting affiliation in the election season. There are 13 colleges, 27 schools and 11 senior division clubs this season.
In 2014 elections there were only 36 units affiliated with VHA. The number has swelled this year around three fold to 99.
Possibility of life members raising objection on the voters’ list cannot be ruled out as treasurer Shyam Sharma had said on record that he would not allow the 51 members to vote. 
Similarly, objection might also be raised on inclusion of district units which are said to be affiliated with Hockey Maharashtra. Last date for raising objections is November 2. 

Type of Membership Voters
Patron Members           6
Life Members               322
Affiliated Members
District Associations 17
Senior Division Clubs 11
‘B’ Division Clubs         31
Colleges                         13
Schools                         27

Total Voters               427