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By Paritosh Pramanik
SHIV Chhatrapati award winner Triloki Nath Sidhra, who has been appointed as the Administrator of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) by the Deputy Charity Commissioner, has taken charge of the association.
Through a WhatsApp message, the former secretary of the association has asked all patrons, life members, clubs and institutions to “co-operate in promoting hockey in the region.”
Sidhra, who received the certified copy of order from the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s office on Tuesday, also informed that he will remain available in VHA office off Amravati Road from 2 to 5 pm daily for “any co-operation needed to promote the game. He expected everybody’s co-operation in lifting the game.”
After the imbroglio between executive committee members relating to the selection of Vidarbha teams forced Hockey India to suspend the VHA, Honourable Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court ordered warring parties to submit names of sportspersons with the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s Office who would appoint an administrator to run the game of hockey in the region, until the dispute is resolved.
Subsequently, both the parties, one led by AP Joshi and another by Vinod Gawai, submitted lists of their favoured candidates to the competent authority.
“Shri TN Sidhra, Nagpur is hereby appointed to administer the petitioner society (VHA), till the dispute between the members of the association is resolved,” the order, passed by Smt MS Rephade, Deputy Charity Commissioner, on August 3, 2019, read.
With his appointment, Sidhra will now have control in entire working of VHA.
From naming various sub-committees to appointing selectors, Sidhra will pick and choose the “right person for the right job.” All the official communication will be done by Sidhra or by person appointed by him.
Talking to The Hitavada Sidhra said he would like to work taking all parties into confidence.
“I am appointed as an administrator until the dispute is resolved. I would love to take all concerned parties together which will help in bringing VHA back
to its past glory. I will never be biased in my decision and will work only for the betterment of VHA,” Sidhra said.
On elections of the association which is due since last December, Sidhra said, “once all the disputes are over I would submit my report and ask the Deputy Charity Commissioner to hold VHA elections,” he assured.
By Paritosh Pramanik
TEN days before the hockey season starts in the region, Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) seems to be heading for another court battle which might affect hockey players, once again.
Vinod Gawai, who has been ousted by the eight executive committee members of VHA as secretary for his alleged dictatorial way of working, circulated a WhatsApp message in various sports groups on Monday stating that Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee TN Sidhra had been appointed as the Administrator of VHA by the Deputy Charity Commissioner.
The WhatsApp message, which Gawai addressed as a “Press Note” also requested all patrons and affiliated units to contact Sidhra regarding any matters related to VHA.
“It is hereby informed to all Hockey Fraternity of Vidarbha that Shri T. N. Sidhra, Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee, Ex Honorary Secretary of VHA & Senior Most Hockey Organiser of the City has been appointed as Administrator of Vidarbha Hockey Association by the Deputy Charity Commissioner, Nagpur vide order dated 03-08-2019 in the Misc. Application No.670/2109. I wish him all the best for bringing back the VHA on right track by resolving all the technical issues.
“All the Patrons, Life Members & Affiliated Units of VHA are henceforth requested to contact Shri T. N. Sidhra regarding all their matters.
Thanks & Rgards.
Vinod Gawai,
Outgoing Honorary Secretary, VHA, Nagpur.”
Gawai said he is yet to receive certified copy of the order.
Sidhra’s appointment as Administrator has not gone down well with the ruling AP Joshi panel who claimed it as contempt.
“This is contempt of court. Honourable High Court, in its order, had clearly stated that administrators whose names are forwarded to Deputy Charity Commissioner should be a third person and unconnected with any of the members of the management,” said Joshi who has been appointed as VHA president by the eight executive committee members after the body suspended BC Bhartia (president).
Bhartia was elected as VHA president in 2017.
“We will definitely move court and challenge the decision. We have had also submitted names of a few sports organisers and former players, as directed by the court,” said Joshi.
“None of our members has received any order from Deputy Charity Commissioner Office,” claimed Joshi.
The Joshi-led panel had submitted names of Atmaram Pandey, Dr Yashwant Patil, Subhash Chander, Parvez Qureshi and Mohd Anwar (Amravati) to the Deputy Charity Commissioner, it has been learnt.
Similarly, Abid Khan, C Gundewar, Blaize Joseph, Baba Rocque, Adv Wahane’s names were forwarded by Gawai group, sources said.
When contacted Sidhra said he also came to know about his appointment through Gawai’s message and added that he has applied for a certified copy.
“I have applied for a certified copy at Deputy Charity Commissioner’s Office which I will get in 3-4 days,” said Sidhra.
Last year the infighting between VHA executive committee members had denied over 100 hockey players a chance to represent Vidarbha in Hockey India’s national championships after the hockey governing body of the country suspended VHA until the dispute is resolved.
If the imbroglio continues, players will continue to suffer, it seems.
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Flies to Switzerland along with five other Indians for Kramnik-Microsense Chess Training Programme
By Paritosh Pramanik
CITY’S International Master Raunak Sadhwani will be sharpening his brain and will also be learning some ‘secret lessons’ from none other than
former world chess champion Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik when he attends the Kramnik-Microsense Chess Training Programme in Switzerland.
Kramnik will be imparting advanced coaching to six Indian chess players which includes four GMs and two IMs. Thirteen-year-old Sadhwani, a student of Centre Point School, Katol Road, was selected on the basis of his recent performance where he won several medals and earned plaudits from chess greats.
The training programme, which is organised by Microsense, a Chennai-based company, will be held from August 14 to 25.
Continuing his rich form, Sadhwani finished a creditable sixth in the HOC-Al Sayyah II International Blitz Championship held at Shatha Tower, Dubai Media City, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday and won a cash prize of 2000 Dirhams.
Sadhwani, who has earned two GM norms, was over the moon when he received an invitation from none other than former world chess champion GM Kramnik for enhanced training at Switzerland.
“It’s unbelievable. Getting trained by a legend like Kramnik is something once in a lifetime thing,” said Sadhwani who flew for Switzerland from Mumbai on Tuesday midnight.
According to a report in IANS, it was Kramnik’s idea to train budding Indian players and share his knowledge.
“I am now retired from chess and not playing competitively anymore, but it means a lot to me if I can share my knowledge with the most promising juniors who can achieve something big in the future,” the former world champion had told IANS.
During the first session, Kramnik would try to get to know the players personally and answer the questions that they have on their minds.
Sadhwani has prepared a list of questions he would be asking the legend. “Kramnik is a real master in opening preparation. I will ask him how to create new ideas, how to choose openings according to opponents, time management, etc,” said Sadhwani.
During the programme, Kramnik will be training the players in opening, middle and end game.
“We will be touching upon all the aspects of the game including opening, middlegame and the endgame. I am preparing very seriously for the camp. I will give my insights on how I prepare psychologically and professionally for chess tournaments and I would share with them my views on many issues of professional chess,” IANS quoted Kramnik as saying.
During the training, Kramnik will also be sharing game secrets which only top players are aware of because of their experience of playing chess at the highest level apart from delivering game specific lectures.
“I will also prepare some specific lectures for the camp and allow the kids to play with each other and then later analyse these games in detail,” Kramnik added.
Kramnik will first go through the games of participants in detail so that the camp turns out to be effective.
Raunak’s mother Hina, too, was elated for his son’s selection. “His hardwork is paying off. Raunak has really worked hard to reach this far. Getting coaching from Kramnik in itself is a great honour. I am sure he will return from Switzerland more sharper. The nine-day training will definitely take his game to the next level,” said Hina.
The other five players include GMs D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, P Iniyan, Arjun Erigasi and International Master Leon Mendonca.
By Paritosh Pramanik
YOUNG Muslim Football Club (YMFC) released eight players but brought in 11, mostly from Nagpur Academy Football Club (NAFC), for the new season of JSW Elite Division Tournament of Nagpur District Football Association.
Similarly, Qidwai Sports, too, decided to go on a shopping spree as they also managed to get their hands on 11 players from various clubs.
Defending champions YMFC, despite losing eight of their best players which included striker Blesjon Saji, Sakeeb Anwar, Mohd Gulab Imran and Mohd Afzal Akhtar, to name a few, added more firepower bringing in players from NAFC.
After the closer of transfer window, NAFC was the biggest loser as they had to do away with 11 of their best in the business to various clubs of the top most division. Qidwai Club also tried to bolster their side for the coming season by signing 11 players from various clubs which included Big Ben Football Club, NAFC, Eagle FC, Green Flag FC an Nagpur Blues.
Rahul Sanskrutyayan Club managed to bag the services of YMFC’s Saji and promoted two players from their feeder team Rahul Brothers Sports Club in Arickswamy Anthony and Badal Soren.
Soren, a student of Hislop College, was selected for the selection trials for the 47th Asian School Football Championship.
“Soren is a very talented player. He has just returned to the city after appearing for the second trial at Bhopal. We have a very balance side and with Saji coming in, the forward line would get more teeth,” said Rahul Sanskrutyayan’s manager Stanley Gregory.
Big Ben FC too tried to strengthen their side with signing of Mohd Faizan and Gifson Saji from Nagpur City Football Club, Chirag Naidu from Sadar FC and Arjun Roka from YMFC. Rabbani Club, Kamptee, in an attempt to wipe out their title drought, brought in seven players, which included five from YMFC.
WIFA AGM, election in city on Aug 23 n Iqbal Kashmiri to be new executive committee member of State body
n By Paritosh Pramanik
PRESIDENT of All India Football Federation (AIFF) Praful Patel will remain the chief of Western India Football Association (WIFA) for another term of four years when the new body is declared on August 23 at Nagpur.
Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) President Haresh Vora will continue to be one of the five vice-presidents of the State body whereas Souter Vaz of Mumbai will continue as secretary. This will be Vora’s second successive term.
According to sources, the Annual General Meeting and elections of WIFA are slated to be held in Nagpur.
The election process has already begun. The last date of nomination was August 12 while the last date for withdrawal is August 14.
“The body will be elected unanimously barring election for only one post of the executive committee member,” said one of the sources privy to the development.
With no opposition for most of the top posts, all the ‘stalwarts’ will continue to hold their seats.
There are two new faces in the vice-presidents posts with JSW Managing Director Parth Jindal and Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thakeray’s son Aditya Thakeray, walking into the governing body.
Jindal is President of Palghar District Football Association while Thakeray is President of Mumbai District Football Association.
“Iqbal Kashmiri, Secretary of Nagpur District Football Association, will be making his maiden entry into State body as an executive committee member,” informed the source.
Praful Patel was elected as the Asian Football Confederation’s vice-president (SAFF region) during the AFC Congress held in Bahrain in 2015.
Patel became member of FIFA Finance Committee for a term of four years in 2017.
According to source, Dhule representative Raees Qazi decided to contest for a post of executive committee member. But his chances of winning looks bleak with too little support from other members.
“Till now 14 nomination forms have been submitted for 13 posts of executive committee. If there is no withdrawal on August 14, election will be held in this category only,” informed the source.
There are very few changes from the previous body and most of the members have retained their posts. NDFA vice-president and Nagpur MLA Sameer Meghe, who was WIFA vice-president, has decided to step down as he was unable to devote time to WIFA. The association has put faith in three incumbent assistant secretaries and decided to continue with them for another term of four years. Sushil Surve (Amravati), Salim Parkote (Latur) and Kiran Chougule (Solapur) will be the three assistant secretaries. Similarly, Pyarelal Choudhary of Pune will retain the post of treasurer.
THE NEW WIFA BODY
President: Praful Patel (Gondia)
Vice-Presidents: Haresh Vora (Nagpur), Vishwajeet Kadam (Pune), Maloji Raje (Kolhapur), Parth Jindal (Palghar), Aditya Thakarey (Mumbai).
Secretary: Souter Vaz (Mumbai)
Treasurer: Pyarelal Choudhary (Pune)
Assistant Secretaries: Sushil Surve (Amravati), Salim Parkote (Latur), Kiran
Chougule (Solapur)
Likely Executive Committee: Ahmed Lalani (Bhandara), Ravindra Darekar (Gadchiroli), Deepak Dixit (Chandrapur), Iqbal Kashmiri (Nagpur), Abdul Rauf (Amravati), PV Ahale (Yavatmal), Yogesh Pardeshi (Nandurbar), Sajid Ansari (Nanded), Asghar Patel (Hingoli), Manik Mandlik (Kolhapur), Godwin Dick (Ahmednagar), Suleman Jaggu (Sangli), Anand Kalorkar (Wardha).
(Election will be held for 13 posts of Executive Committee if there is no withdrawal by August 14)
