Sunday Sojourn: Vijay Munishwar

 

From making path on slushy field to world archery champion

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

FROM the waterlogged slushy field where he had to make his own path with boulders and bricks to reach the Target Buttress in Bada Tajbagh practice area, to climbing the victory podium as world best archer at World Archery Championship in Berlin, Germany, Nagpur’s Ojas Pravin Deotale has scaled ‘Everest’ in a very short time.

All because of his dedication, determination and strong willpower to excel in the bow and arrow sport, which he took only to enjoy in leisure time.

Earlier this month, Deotale created history by becoming the first Indian man to win a gold medal in the compound event at Worlds. He also helped the Indian Compound team to grab the yellow metal making it a double delight for him as well as the nation.

Back in Nagpur after achieving the summit, Deotale is a busy man at his Hingna T-point residence. Requests for interviews and congratulatory messages from well-wishers have been pouring in since the last couple of days.

But the 21-year-old archer has no qualms. He is well aware of the attention that comes with stardom. “Initially it felt nice but now I am a bit bored and tired with this much attention,” Deotale candidly said while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.

From a 15-year-old newcomer to the bow and arrow sport to world champion at the age of 21, Deotale has achieved too much in too little time. “It’s been only six years since I started playing archery. It was just for leisure. But my love for this sport grew and I started dreaming of representing India one day,” recalled Deotale who trains at Satara under Pramod Sawant.

“When I got the India call, I just wanted to perform well. But gradually the hunger for achieving success grew and I started dreaming of winning medals for the country. That desire and willpower helped me reach where I am today,” said the Indian archer.

But the journey to the top was not a cakewalk. There were hurdles all over. Deotale had to travel from his Hingna T-Point home to Bada Tajbagh for practice.

“It was a makeshift archery arena, an open field. During the rainy season, the entire field used to turn into a big pond. The patch on which we used to practice was not reachable with puddles all over. I used to put boulders and bricks to reach the Target Buttress, after releasing the arrow from target area. During summer days it was more difficult. The scorching Nagpur heat would drain us. There was no shade and we had to train under the burning Sun. I was determined and my childhood coach Mohd Zeeshan sir guided me,” said Deotale.

After winning the historic gold with 150/150 score Deotale was over the moon. He could not believe he had done the unthinkable. “My legs were trembling. I was totally lost. And then the national anthem was played in Germany. There were goosebumps, tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. I had fulfilled one of my dreams, my country’s dream,” Deotale proudly said.

The golden boy of India said archery is not at all an easy sport as it looks from the stands. “It is a very difficult sport. You have to train really hard to hit that arrow on target repeatedly. It needs a lot of concentration and meditation. During competitions, there is noise of the clicking of cameras continuously which distracts you, then there are spectators and officials, all at one place and you have to concentrate on that single dot from 50 metres away. Meditation helps in concentration. I meditate while I go to bed at night. I put my earpods on and listen to soft music, preferably the tunes related to nature...the soft tune. I close my eyes and visualise my target then, how I am holding the bow, how I will release the arrow, how I will fight with the weather condition,” Deotale explained.

Deotale faced rough weather during the world finals. “It was windy during the finals. It was also raining and the sun was also out making it very difficult to shoot on target. Once, I even hit the side target board due to strong wind. But as I said, I concentrated and succeeded in hitting the bull’s eye,” narrated Deotale.

This is just the beginning and Deotale has set his target.

“Gold at Hangzhou Asian Games is the immediate target and an Olympic medal in 2028 (Compound event is not included in the Paris 2024 Olympics) is my ultimate dream,” Deotale signed off.

‘Ashwamedh’ dates clash with Assembly session

With MLA Hostel ‘out of reach’ due to Assembly Winter Session in December, RTMNU is searching other venues for lodging and boarding for women athletes

By Paritosh Pramanik

RASHTRASANT Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University will be hosting Ashwamedh 2023 in December (3-7) which will clash with the Winter Session of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (Dec 7). 

It will be a huge logistic problem for RTMNU as over 2500 women athletes and officials will be arriving in the city for the State Inter-University Krida Mahotsav, formerly known as Ashwamedh.

RTMNU, which is celebrating its centenary year, will host nine women’s event including athletics, basketball, kho-kho, kabaddi, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, football and chess. 

The biggest difficulty for RTMNU will be of providing accommodation to the players and officials. With the non-availability of MLA Hostel which will be occupied by the MLAs and other leaders of the State, RTMNU has started its search for other venues.

According to Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, they are trying every options available. “We are exploring every possible options. There are many hostels of school and colleges. We have our own (RTMNUs) hostel. We can also accommodate athletes at Koradi’s Bhakt Nivas. I am confident that there won’t be any problem in providing lodging and boarding facilities to the athletes,” Dr Syuryawanshi confidently said.

“We will be doing a recce in a few days and visit Koradi Bhakt Nivas and IDCPE apart from other venues. I am sure we will manage to provide the best facilities to the athletes,” added Dr Suryawanshi.

The University will also be renovating Subhedar Hall which will host the badminton event. “The venue will be refurbished for badminton event. We will be using RTMNU’s Dikshant Subhagruh for chess events while the PGTD Hall will be used for table tennis events. We will also be adding a few more tables for the event,” revealed Dr Suryawanshi.

“We are also plannnig a Games torch relay which will begin a week before the games and will cross through districts of which colleges are affiliated with RTMNU,” Dr Surywasnshi stated.

NDFA bans NAFC; promotes Qidwai to Elite Div

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR District Football Association (NDFA) has banned Nagpur Academy Football Club (NAFC) from playing its JSW Elite Division League tournament.

According to a report, NAFC had ‘forged’ a signature when it applied for an age group I-League team from Nagpur.

Taking cognisance of such a serious ‘crime’, NDFA, in its recently held meeting, decided to suspend one of the top teams of Elite Division.

According to NDFA, NAFC had sought permission from AIFF and WIFA for formation of an I-League team. They had even spent a good amount of money in getting grounds and other facilities in Nagpur. They then sought written permission from NDFA. According to an NAFC official, NDFA delayed in providing written assurance. As the last date of registration was nearing, NAFC ‘forged’ the signature of secretary Iqbal Kashmiri.

When contacted, NDFA confirmed the development and said that NAFC has been suspended from participating in any of the authorised tournaments in and around the 

district.

“It is a serious crime. Such indiscipline will not be tolerated. I got a call from WIFA and AIFF regarding NDFA giving permission to NAFC. They also sent me the letter they received with our secretary’s sign and NDFA stamp. We were shocked to see the duplicate signature of Secretary Kashmiri. We summoned NAFC officials and sought an explanation for such a crime. They accepted their mistake but we had to take stern action and we decided to ban the club,” NDFA President Haresh Vora to ‘The Hitavada’.

Last season, NAFC had finished at the seventh spot after completion of the league round in the 10-team competition.

Looking at players’ futures, NDFA has allowed them to join any other club.

“We have banned only the club and not the players. It is not the fault of players. They are allowed to sign any club this season,” stated Vora.

With NAFC suspended, Qidwai Club has been promoted to Elite Division.

“There was no relegation in Elite Division last season and Qidwai Club, being Super Division champions, has been promoted,” informed Stanley Gregory, General Secretary, NDFA.

The 2023-24 season is likely to begin in the last week of September or October. Ten teams, Young Muslim Football Club, Ansar Club, Indian Friends Football Club, Nagpur Blues, Rahul Sankrutyayan, Rabbani Club, Kamptee, South East Central Railways, Manganese Ore India Limited and Big Ben Football Club, will fight for the top prize.

Meanwhile, the transfer procedure for Elite Division has been started. Players, clubs will have to complete their transfer formalities online.

The NDFA has permitted each club to register three players from other districts of Maharashtra and two from other States. 

“Clubs will have to pay Rs 3000 per player if they register from other districts. For State transfer, they will have to shell out Rs 15,000 for each player,” said Stanley.

NDFA body elected unopposed

 

Stanley Gregory appointed as Secretary General to President and Mohd Mubin as his deputy

ONCE again the entire executive committee of Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) was elected unopposed. Haresh Vora was once again elected as president while Iqbal Kashmiri will continue as the secretary. The entire executive committee was already elected unopposed after the last date of withdrawal (August 3), but the final and official result was declared after the Annual General Meeting of the association that was held at its office in Suyog Nagar on Sunday.

“Total 25 forms were sold while only 18 forms were received against the 18 posts and thus the entire executive committee of Nagpur District Football Association has been declared elected unopposed,” Election Officer Stanley Gregory informed scribes after the AGM.

“The newly-elected body nominated Stanley Gregory as General Secretary, Mohammad Mubin as Deputy Secretary General, Barnard Desouza as Joint Secretary and Hemant Shahani as Assistant Secretary to conduct all events of NDFA. Adv Virat Mishra has been nominated as Vice-President for a four-year term while Adv Sachin Agrawal will be on the Judicial Committee of the League Committee as a chairperson,” Gregory added.

When asked about plans for the future, Vora said, “The new body will meet soon and chalk out detailed plan that will be made public. We will also talk to our main sponsors, JSW. We have been pursuing the case of having a gallery at the ground and will meet NIT officials for the same. We have some plans for providing assistance to players in case of serious injuries.”

On conducting big soccer tournaments in the city, Kashmiri said, “Our (NDFA) league is our priority. With all our leagues combined, we have over 350 matches and it takes such a long time that we find it hard to have a window for any other tournament. Moreover, the clubs also have some or the other assignment and it is very difficult to host another tournament.” 

During the AGM, an Advisory Committee was also formed. Veteran Salim Baig has been named as Chairman while Dr Upendra Verma will be the Convenor. AB Khan, Ashok Yadav and Ramlal Gaur will be the three members.

NDFA New Body:

President: Haresh Vora. Vice-Presidents: Atmaram Pande, Kamil Ansari, Eugene Norbert and Abid Khan. Secretary: Iqbal Kashmiri. Treasurer: Mohd Khalid Ansari. Members: Mahefooz Akhtar, Biswajit Dey, Navneet Singh Tuli, Sanjay Kathale, Dr Kamal Ahmed Ansari, Papan Pramanik, Ankush Bhadange, Karamchand Chourasia, Dayanand Singh, Mohd Shahid and Shantanu Motghare.

71-yr-old Vora re-elected NDFA prez

I wanted Attu Pande to be new president, claims Vora

By Paritosh Pramanik

Claiming that the age barrier put up in the National Sports Code by Sports Ministry is only for national sports federations, incumbent President of Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) Haresh Vora was once again elected as chief of the district football governing body.

The entire executive committee was elected unopposed after the last date of withdrawal (August 3). 

When asked about the ruling put up by Sports Ministry regarding the age barrier of 70 years for office bearers of any sports association, President Vora, who is 71 years old claimed, “Sports Ministry’s circular is only for national federations and does not apply to State or District body.” 

However, Vora claimed that he was willing to step down and wanted new face to take charge. “I wanted Attu Pande (Big Ben Football Club) to be elected as the new President but several members requested me to continue for another term and I had no other option,” Vora told ‘The Hitavada’ on Friday.

When contacted Pande said, “a few months back Vora and I had talk regarding the president’s post but not in the recent past. He did ask me to take the charge of NDFA but at that time it was too early to decide. During the election process (last week) no body asked or requested me to take the president’s post. I am happy that Vora is continuing as the President for another term. He is the best person for the job.”  Pande will continue to be one of the vice-presidents of the association.

Vora is holding the top post since 2015 after former Mayor late Atal Bahadur Singh stepped down. He is also Vice-President of Western India Football Association (WIFA), the soccer governing body of Maharashtra.

The other Vice-President to continue from previous body is Kamil Ansari while Eugene Norbert and Abid Khan, who were executive members, have been elevated. 

MLA Sameer Meghe, who was one of the vice-presidents in last committee, decided not to contest this time. 

Veteran Iqbal Kashmiri will continue as the Honorary Secretary of the association while Stanley Gregory, who was the executive committee member in last body is likely to be appointed as the Secretary to the President.

Mohd Khalid Ansari will continue to be the treasurer of the association for another term.

There are several new faces in the executive committee with Navneet Singh Tuli, Dayanand Singh, Mohd Shahid and Shantanu Motghare being elected for the first time.

Mehfooz Akhtar, Biswajeet Dey, Sanjay Kathale, Dr Kamal Ahmed Ansari, Papan Pramanik, Ankush Bhadange and Karamchand Chourasia are the other executive committee members.

The officer bearers have been elected for a term of four years while the executive committee members (total 11) are elected for a two-year term.

The annual general meeting of the association will be held on Sunday at NDFA Office, situated at Dr Ambedkar Football Stadium, Suyog Nagar, and the new committee will be announced by Gregory who is the election officer.

VHA+NDUHA+VWHA=SHAME

By Paritosh Pramanik

HOCKEY Associations—District or State — are formed for the development and promotion of the game of hockey. It is due to these associations, players get a chance to show their skills and move up the ladder. But in Nagpur, three associations Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), Vidarbha Women’s Hockey Association (VWHA) and Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (NDUHA), are organisations who have earned “Shame” due to their inability to promote the game for several years.

VHA and VWHA have two beautiful hockey grounds in the heart of the city, one off Amravati Road and the other at Sadar, behind Tirpude College. But both the grounds are in a neglected state where hockey is hardly played. A visit to both grounds shocked this scribe. The grass is of knee height and the field can be used to graze cattle. Agreed that during the rainy season hockey is not played but it is the duty of these organisations to maintain their grounds.

Until 2020, VHA used to be an affiliated unit of Hockey India (HI) and had powers to conduct the game in the region. But after HI’s one-state-one-unit diktat, VHA lost its affiliation and since then the association has been fighting a legal battle against HI through a High Court appointed Administrator. This forced the association to stop hockey activities in the city.

The Administrator was appointed after a split in the executive committee of VHA.

VWHA, on the other hand, is a defunct body without any affiliation and after the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation merged with Hockey India, it has no say. Still, they have the hold of the ground at Sadar. But sadly it is very poorly maintained.

As for NDUHA, it got affiliation from Hockey Maharashtra immediately after their ‘formation’ sometime last July.

The ‘newly-elected’ body announced to hold several tournaments for the calendar year and even went on to say that they are finding it difficult to get dates for tournaments. They ‘hired’ VWHA ground and did start a tournament. Alas! They failed to complete it. Till date NDUHA has not completed a single tournament, reasons better known to them.

In between, another association cropped up in the name of Vidarbha Hockey Players Association (VHPA) and started functioning from VHA ground. It conducted tournaments and even distributed attractive prizes to attract players and clubs. But once NDUHA came into existence and warned hockey players and clubs against participating in ‘unsanctioned’ tournaments of VHPA, the tournaments dried up.

NDUHA asked VHPA to get affiliation to hold tournaments. But VHPA refused to do so, stating that VHA is still the governing hockey body of the region and it did not recognise NDUHA.

In all bickering and ego clashes of the hockey officials, only the players suffered. All those associated with the aforesaid associations hardly made any effort to wipe out their differences and come on a common platform for the development of the game.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that a government department in Nagpur is recruiting five hockey players through sports quota. The bigger question is when there are no hockey tournaments conducted in Nagpur, why select hockey players? Instead, other sports like football, cricket, to name a few, should get the players who can show their talent and above all get a chance to play throughout the year.

It is high time government took cognisance of this serious matter and warned all the warring factions or took control of both these grounds. Then only hockey can see the light of the day in Nagpur.

Leggie Ankita is VCA’s 1st BCCI panel women umpire

By Paritosh Pramanik

Indian women have breached into almost every profession that was once dominated by men. From holding top ranks in armed forces to leading major corporate houses, producing exemplary performances on the field and making their mark with aplomb off it. Women have made a giant leap in male dominated professions including sports.

Running shoulder to shoulder with men, Vidarbha women cricketers are proving their worth on the field, and now they have started carving a niche for themselves off it. Ankita Guha, a former leg-spinner of Vidarbha, has become first women umpire from VCA after she cleared the BCCI umpires examination with flying colours. The examination was held at Ahmedabad.

Speaking with ‘The Hitavada’, Ankita, who has played a decent number Women’s List A matches for Vidarbha said that an injury in 2017-18 season forced her to think about her future.

“When in 2018 I got injured, I was forced to quit playing but decided to stay connected with the game. I wanted to become a match referee. Farookh Dastur sir (VCA CEO)asked me to appear for the umpires examination. I cleared the VCA State panel examination last year and applied for the BCCI examination. I cleared the four-stage examination in the first attempt itself,” Ankita, who works with the Indian Air Force at Vayusena Nagar, said.

A leg-spinner, Ankita has played seven two-day matches, apart from 25 One-Day and 15 T20s for Vidarbha.

“Being a player I got the opportunity to directly appear for the Level-2 examination of the BCCI and I am happy that I cleared it,” Ankita, daughter of late father Shyamal and mother Dolly, proudly said.

Ankita, who is working as a Joint Controller of Defence Accounts, thanked the entire VCA committee, her mentors umpires Abhijit Deshmukh, Nitin Pandit, Vinit Kulkarni, Vinayak Kulkarni for their constant support. 

“I want to officiate in ODIs and Women Premier League. But I want to take one step at a time,” 37-year-old Ankita concluded.

Pramanik elected SJFI Vice-President 2023