Word ‘The’ added to NDUHA before our body took charge, claims Secretary Qureshi

Special Correspondent

June 27, 2025

THE Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (TNDUHA) Secretary Parvez Qureshi finally broke his silence and claimed that his association is the legal one and is working for the betterment and promotion of the game in the district.

A huge controversy broke when members of Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (NDUHA), which is registered with Charity Commissioner Office, Nagpur since 2012, alleged that Qureshi, has fraudulently changed the name of the association (by adding a word ‘The’).

However, Qureshi claimed that the word ‘The’ was added to NDUHA prior to his body taking charge. 

“At the time of its inception it was Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association, when it was registered in 2012 by Late DS Karuna Shankar and Salim Baig. Vinod Trivedi was the first President while Salim Baig was Secretary of the association. Pramod Thakre and myself were elected as the President and Secretary for the term 2021-2025. The word ‘The’ was added to Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association, Nagpur and the constitution was amended prior to our taking charge of the office. After taking charge, The Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association, Nagpur got the affiliation from Hockey Maharashtra in the name of TNDUHA,” claimed Qureshi while talking with ‘The Hitavada’.

Qureshi alleged that a few with vested interested are creating confusion. 

“The association was running well till the time the hearing before the District Collector, Nagpur was fixed to decide the lease matter of VHA. Pramod Jain, for obvious reasons, revolted against our group and presented an application seeking intervention in the matter. From that day onwards we are facing problems,” alleged Qureshi.

On Thakre’s claims that he was not part of the election process, Qureshi stated, “The proceedings of the Executive Committee meeting dated 02/04/2025 and 08/06/2025 are well videographed for anybody to deny the decisions adopted in the two meetings.

“I have been relentlessly working for the betterment of hockey. All the unwanted problems are being created by the vested interest persons who were denied the desired posts,” alleged Qureshi.

To prove his point and authenticity, Qureshi stated, “After I was elected Secretary for 2021-2025, Vinod Trivedi (President), Salim Baig (Secretary) and Mamta Trivedi (Treasurer) gave an authority letter in favour of Pramod Thakre, Parvez Qureshi and Anil Daral to operate and continue the bank account of the association. The same is ample proof of my office and that of the entire executive body. The Letter Head on which the said authority letter was issued was of The Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association, Nagpur.”

On how the body functioned from 2012 to 2021, Qureshi claimed that the previous executive members held meetings and conducted elections regularly. “The election of executive members was done by raising of hands,” he claimed.

It may be mentioned here that the current body headed by Thakre and Qureshi was also appointed and not elected, as confirmed by Qureshi.

NDUHA member Madne requests TNDUHA Returning Officer Mohata to stop polls

Special Correspondent

June 26

THE members of Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (NDUHA) which is registered with Charity Commissioner’s Office since 2013, are now openly opposing the elections of ‘The’ Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (TNDUHA).

After Pramod Jain, life member Sunil Madne has termed TNDUHA as an illegal body and has sent a notice to Returning Officer Adv Bhushan Mohata through his advocate Anurag Mankar. Madne had received the election programme from TNDUHA, through Adv Mohata.

Through the notice, Madne submitted that a fraud is being played by few people by giving misleading information regarding the association by playing with the words and asked Adv Mohata to stop the procedure of elections. 

“Please note that the notice (Election Programme) issued by you (Adv Mohata) is regarding conducting elections of ‘THE’ Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association. However, there is no such association registered with the name ‘THE’ Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association.” 

Without naming TNDUHA Secretary Parvez Qureshi, the notice further stated, “they are using the registration number of Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association which is BPT No 1676/12N. Please note that there is no association registered with the name ‘THE’ Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association with the Charity Commissioner as well.” 

The notice, a copy of which is in possession of ‘The Hitavada’, further stated, “Similar attempts of misleading are being made in one of the proceedings pending before the Hon’ble Collector, Nagpur. Please note that Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association has already objected to the said proceedings before the Hon’ble Collector, Nagpur.

“My client has not instructed anyone to hold/conduct election nor the Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association has instructed anyone to hold/conduct the election,” the notice read. 

Madne requested Returning Officer Mohata to immediately stop the election process as “the same is happening with false and fraudulent information.”

TNDUHA President Thakre opposes forthcoming polls

Sports Reporter

June 25, 2025

The controversy regarding existence of ‘The’ Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (TNDUHA) fails to die down. 

After its joint secretary Pramod Jain called the elections as ‘fraud’, TNDUHA President Pramod Thakre himself called it illegal and opposed the polls stating that the entire election process is being conducted without his knowledge.

“Parvez Qureshi, Secretary, TNDUHA is acting in a dictatorial manner. In one of the meetings, which I attended, it was decided to hold the elections of the association. But since that meeting nothing has been discussed. I am totally unaware of the proceedings,” alleged Thakre.

Thakre said that he was kept in dark regarding the registration of association with the Charity Commissioner office.

“I had asked Qureshi regarding the registration of TNDUHA with Charity Commissioner office but I always received confusion reply from him. He always said that it is under process. But now I came to know that the registration number which is being used by TNDUHA is of the original hockey governing body of district Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association,” claimed Thakre.

The TNDUHA President said that he is not part of the ensuing elections and want a fair process.

“I, being the president of TNDUHA, totally oppose this election. I am not part of this flawed process. There are a few other members as well who are not aware of the entire process. I will be also writing a letter to Hockey Maharashtra and Hockey India regarding these illegal activities being carried out by Qureshi and his supporters.

TNDUHA elections are scheduled for June 28.

Jain terms The NDUHA elections as fraud

SECRETARY of Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (NDUHA) Pramod Jain, through a press release, has termed the upcoming election of rival hockey body ‘The Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association’ (TNDUHA), a fraud.

NDUHA’s rival association (TNDUHA) that adds a prefix ‘The’ in front of the original hockey body (NDUHA) is not registered with the Charity Commissioner, Nagpur. Jain has enclosed a copy of an RTI in this regard.

Jain, who received a detailed election programme (June 12-28) of ‘The NDUHA’ through its Returning Officer Adv Bhushan Mohata, has squarely blamed Parvez Qureshi, Secretary of ‘The NDUHA’ for all the mess. Jain claims that Qureshi has got the affiliation from Hockey Maharashtra by fraudulent means and that the body is not registered with the Charity Commissioner, Nagpur.

Jain further states that for conducting elections of a registered association with Charity Commissioner, Adv Mohata should have publicly issued the election programme through local newspapers. He alleged that Qureshi is stating that his body is registered with the Charity Commissioner, Nagpur and is thus deceiving both Hockey Maharashtra and Charity Commissioner, Nagpur and that FIR can be lodged against him.

The press release also claims to have forwarded the above contents to Indian Olympic Association, New Delhi; Hockey India, New Delhi; Hockey Maharashtra, Pune and Charity Commissioner, Nagpur.

From SFS to I-League City footballer Sebin aspires to play for India

By Paritosh Pramanik 

THE path is difficult but Sebin Varghese, a 29-year-old footballer from Nagpur, is determined. An Under-23 India camp has only made him more resolute as the resolute defender aspires to play for Indian football team, one day.

Varghese, already an I-League experience holder is hoping to play the ISL, which will open his doors towards the Indian team.

Born in Nagpur, Varghese’s football journey started at SFS School, Sadar. The love for the game grew and Varghese joined Rahul Sankrutyayan Sports Association in 2011. He then moved to Nagpur Football Club (NFC) and under renowned coach Bimal Ghosh, Varghese started dreaming of playing at the highest level.

“While at NFC, I got a chance to play two Santosh Trophy tournaments and from then on I did not look back,” Varghese told ‘The Hitavada’ from Kolkata where he is preparing to play the prestigious Calcutta League starting June 25.

“I hope of playing ISL, may be this season, but fingers crossed. I have already played the prestigious I-League for Gokulam Kerala. I hope this season brings more luck to me,” said the talented full back Varghese, who has represented the Indian Army in Armed Services Tournament on several occasions and has represented Army’s 9 Guards Regiment team.

“That performance helped me became a key player for the Army Green football team, participating in national-level competitions with pride and precision,” said Sebin, son of AK Varghese, a retired MECL employee and Reena, Gurukul School Principal.

“In 2023, I received tremendous support from my officers in the Indian Army who recognised my potential and granted me the opportunity to pursue professional football at a higher level. I got the NOC to play for Gokulam FC and later I joined Muthoot FC in the Kerala Super League,” said Varghese who also played in the 3rd division I-League for Garhwal Heroes FC.

Continuing his momentum, Varghese signed with Nagaland United in the Nagaland Super League where his team finished second best.

“I am now preparing for Calcutta Football League 2025 for BSS Sporting, one of the oldest and most competitive football leagues in the country. I want to continue my journey until I reach the top (play for India), Varghese signed off.