VHA affiliated school’s instructor is Hockey Maharashtra selector

n By Paritosh Pramanik

JAGESHWAR Kaithwas, working as an instructor with Royal Gondwana Public School (RGPS), an affiliated unit of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), has been appointed as one of the selectors by Hockey Maharashtra.
Interestingly, the school’s director, Deven Dasture, is one of the executive members of VHA.
Hockey Maharashtra is conducting sub-junior selection trials at Wardha from November 16. The selected players will form Maharashtra team that will represent West Zone in the Zonal tournament to be held at Jodhpur. The tournament will be under the banner of Hockey India.
VHA, an Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) loyal, has warned all its affiliated units against taking part in the trials.
Kaithwas has also been appointed as manager-cum-coach of the team which will take part in the sub-junior national tournament to be held at Jodhpur.
Well aware of the fact that he might be sacked from his instructor’s post from the school, Kaithwas has decided to grab the opportunity.
“I have submitted my leave application along with appointment letter I got from TN Sidhra, vice-president Hockey Maharashtra, to the school authorities two days back. Till now I have not got any reply. I will be going for trials in the capacity of a selector. They can sack me but such opportunities do not come everyday,” Kaithwas told ‘The Hitavada’.
Kaithwas lashed out at VHA saying that he was not bothered about the repercussions.
“VHA is doing nothing for coaches, umpires and players. This is a god-send opportunity for me and I want to grab it. I am not worried about the consequences,” stated Kaithwas.
Dasture, on his part, said that RGPS would not send its players for the trials. “I came to know about Kaithwas’ appointment yesterday only. We have not given him permission. Similarly, none of our players would be taking part in the selection trials,” said Dasture.
The executive member also said all three of his schools — RGPS, South Point School, Omkar Nagar and South Point School, Hanuman Nagar were affiliated units of VHA and would stay with the Vidarbha body.
“As far as Kaithwas is concerned, we will take appropriate action against him if he associates himself with the rival body,” Dasture said.
The Hockey Maharashtra trials are going to be held at the ground of Chintamani Academy of Management Sciences from November 16 to 18.
Meanwhile, Sidhra has asked all the schools and clubs to send players directly for trials instead of sending them through district associations. “Ours is a new body. The district units are yet to get affiliation hence we have decided to call players directly along with age proofs,” said Sidhra.