In polls season, over 100 units affiliate with VHA

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Oct 27

IF ONE goes by number of affiliated units, the hockey scene in Vidarbha looks rosy and quite healthy. But actually it is at its lowest ebb.
With elections of the association round the corner (Nov 27), over 100 units, including schools, clubs, colleges and district units suddenly sprouted up and got affiliated with VHA.
Though election officer Shrigopal Soni did not reveal the names of affiliated units, he informed that 99 affiliated units have sent their representation letters on the final day of submission of names of representatives (Oct 26).
“One unit submitted its application with representative name after stipulated time and his letter was not accepted. Now only the head of that unit will have right to cast the vote (on Nov 27) if needed,” said Soni.
Twenty schools had participated in the last year’s inter-school tournament conducted by VHA. But the number has suddenly swollen this time. If one of the life members is to be believed the figure has crossed 30 mark. Same is the case with clubs and district units who hardly have hockey teams but are ‘forced’ to get affiliated with the association by those few who want to secure their vote bank.
The voters list will be displayed on Oct 29 and objections to it will be accepted on Nov 1 and 2. Over 400 voters are expected to participate in this election.

All India U-17 hockey at Kalmeshwar in Dec

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Oct 25

WITH an aim to promote hockey and encourage sports culture in rural areas, the National Council for Sports and Youth Development (NCSYD), New Delhi has decided to hold an all India inter-school (Under-17) hockey tournament at Kalmeshwar.
Located 25 kms from Nagpur, Kalmeshwar will thus become the first town from the region to play host to the hockey tournament in which school teams from all over the country take part. The tournament will be held in the month of December (16-21).
NCSYD, a non-profit organisation, is working towards the development of children and empowerment of youth through the medium of sports.
The body has also organised all India cricket, volleyball, throwball tournaments for schools all over the country.
NCSYD President Dr Surya Prakash Yadav, along with 1980 Moscow Olympic Games gold medalist Maharaj Krishan Kaushik, Dr Asif Sheikh, Working President, Maharashtra Unit, Pramod Thakre, Vice-President, Maharashtra Unit inspected the Nagar Parishad School in Kalmeshwar on Monday afternoon. They were satisfied with the location and the boarding facilities at the Nagar Parishad School.
“The ground needs to be rolled and levelled a bit. 
“We are very happy with the location. The ground also has stands for spectators to sit and enjoy the matches,” said Dr Yadav while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ at the venue.
Informing more about the tournament, Dr Yadav said, “The organisation is also conducting Under-14 all India meet in Pimpri, Pune in November and Under-19 meet in Bangalore in March next year apart from the Nagpur event.”
Interested schools will have to register themselves on-line with NCSYD.
“Top 16 schools from the country will be selected by our panel for the tournament. They will be divided in four pools. Top teams from each pool will make it to the semi-finals,” informed Dr Yadav.
“All our hockey tournaments are held under the auspices of Hockey India. The technical assistance will be provided by Hockey India,” added Dr Yadav.
“There is no dearth of talent. We need to tap them at the right place. Some of the best hockey players India has produced have come from rural and tribal areas,” said Olympian Arjuna and Shiv Chhatrapati Award winner MK Kaushik.
Coach of 2012 Commonwealth Games gold winning women’s team, Kaushik said, “We have to dig deeper to get diamonds. The Tirkeys, Lakras, Barlas...all have come from tribal belts and shone at the top-most level. We have to find them in towns, villages and hinterlands and make them shine at top.”

Atal counters Sharma’s claims

Nobody voted against 51 members in EC meeting: Atal

Nagpur, Oct 16
n By Paritosh Pramanik

AFTER two days of claims and counter claims over the incorporation of 51 life members of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), senior-most office-bearer and VHA vice-president Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh has raised a ‘constitutional’ point stating ‘no voting took place against the 51 members in the executive meeting’.
Singh said constitutionally voting is necessary if there is opposition to any proposal. “There can be a difference of opinion but to oppose any proposal in the executive meeting there has to a voting,” he explained.
VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, vice-president TN Sidhra, Kishor Goydani and executive member Sanjay Lokhande, on Thursday, opposed the incorporation of 51 members in the VHA body. They said they may appeal against the decision in higher court.
Singh, however, said no dissent was noted against the 51 members. “All members were aware of the judgement but nobody spoke about it until it came out in open. There were discussions on the adoption of the members. But there was no voting on the issue,” he said.
Explaining his point, Singh said, “Opposition means you have to raise your hand to vote against any decision. That never took place during the meeting. Nobody voted against the adoption of 51 life members. They should have asked for voting. The members were unanimously adopted.”
“There was difference of opinions (during the meeting). Sharma differed and he has every right. He has his point of view. All other members also put forth their views. But nobody gave a note of dissent,” Singh informed about the proceedings of the executive committee meeting of Wednesday.
“All members were aware of the judgement. DS Karunashankar was waiting for GM Pillay to inform to VHA about the judgement as he was the applicant. Pillay did not submit the order copy in time (in May 2015) to VHA. In that way all are at fault for not informing VHA about the judgement.
“The best part is nobody complained when the order was passed 16 months back. Now, when it has come out in open, members are questioning its timing. Why didn’t the opposite party move higher court when the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s order was passed in May 2015,” Singh questioned.
Atal challenged Sharma and others to swear on oath that they have objected during the executive committee meeting.
Coming out in support of Karunashankar, Singh asked why nobody is blaming Sharma who was also one of the intervenors. “Shyam Sharma was one of the intervenors. Why did he keep the order under wraps. It was everybody’s fault. Not only Karunashankar even Sharma is at fault for keeping the association in dark for 16 months,” said Singh.
Meanwhile, Karunashankar preferred not to comment on the issue. “I don’t want to comment on the issue. I will reply to the executive committee on October 16 during the executive committee meeting,” he said.

Won’t allow 51 members to vote: Sharma

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Oct 15
DEMANDING an explanation from secretary DS Karunashankar as to why the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s judgement on 51 members was kept under wraps for 16 months, VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, vice-president TN Sidhra, Kishor Goydani and executive member Sanjay Lokhande have decided to appeal against the decision and stop the ‘new members’ to contest and vote in the association’s elections. VHA polls are scheduled in the third week of November.
On Wednesday, VHA had decided to incorporate 51 members who were made life members in 1989.
The Deputy Charity Commissioner’s decision along with the order copy were submitted to VHA by former VHA incharge secretary, GM Pillay along with a letter to incorporate the members. The same was put before the executive committee on Wednesday and the decision was taken to include them.
Certified copy of that order was procured by DS Karunashankar.
According to VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, he along with three other members of the executive committee—Vice-presidents Sidhra, Goydani and Lokhande—opposed the decision to incorporate those 51 members.
“We are not talking about the order (the judgement). We questioned the adoption of the list of 51 members. We are definitely against the adoption.
“President (Radheshyam) Sarda is giving wrong statements that nobody opposed the adoption of the list of members. They are telling lies. I asked them to show the rough proceedings they wrote before finalising the minutes. He (Sarda) asked to write ‘some of the members were against it’. I interfered and asked to write that I am opposing it. I am ready to face the consequences,” said Sharma, while speaking about the proceedings of the meeting.
“Reports say the decision was unanimous. It is completely false. We are totally against the decision to incorporate the members,” Sharma told ‘The Hitavada’ on Thursday.
When asked the reason for their opposition to the adoption of the members, Sharma said it is only because of the timing of presenting the list of members.
VHA elections are going to be held in November and, in all probability, the 51 members, most of whom are from Sadar, Chhaoni and New Colony, would support the Sadar-based group.
“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 till last Sunday. 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 asked.
When asked whether he was not aware of the judgement despite being one of the intervenors along with Vinod Gawai, Sharma accused Karunashankar of misleading him.
During the proceedings of the case, Sharma and Karunashankar were in opposite groups.
“He (Karunashankar) cheated and misled me. At that time Karunashankar told me he had given ‘No Objection’ in this case. But he gave no objection to the application which was filed for the change in tenure of the executive body from one to four years,” said Sharma.
“I only want to know what were they doing with the judgement for 16 months. Why didn’t they take the executive committee in confidence. That’s why we opposed the adoption.”
Sharma said he will discuss the matter with all other members of his group and then take decision whether to move higher court or not.
“Definitely, I will talk with Gawai, Sidhra and other members and then would decide whether to file an application in higher court”.
The VHA treasurer dared that they would not allow the members to vote in the elections.
“We will not allow these 51 members to be part of the ensuing elections. We are going to oppose their participation,” he concluded.

VHA to incorporate 51 life members

Dy Charity Comm passes order on 11-year-old case

n By Paritosh Pramanik

IN A major boost to the ruling body of the Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) ahead of November elections, the Deputy Charity Commissioner of Nagpur has ordered the association to incorporate 51 members as its life members (who were enrolled in 1989) and “allow them to attend all meetings and to vote in the meetings and elections.”

The ordered was passed on May 25, 2015 on the application filed by late Balraj Aher and GM Pillay.

The decision along with the order copy were submitted to VHA by former VHA incharge secretary, GM Pillay along with a letter to incorporate the members.

On Wednesday, the executive committee unanimously accepted the decision of the Deputy Charity Commissioner and decided to incorporate all the 51 members.

“How can I go against court’s order? I will have to abide by the order. We will incorporate all the said members as life members of the association,” VHA President Radheshyam Sarda told ‘The Hitavada.’ These ‘new; 51 votes will definitely help the Sadar-based Hockey Lovers Panel in the ensuing elections against Bhartia-Gawai led panel.

How the life members got back in VHA fold

On September 12, 1989, Joint Charity Commissioner Office, Nagpur had ordered GM Pillay to work as Incharge secretary of VHA after two change reports, one by the elected body and another by TN Sidhra (who had lost the secretary’s post in the elections), were filed with the competent authority.

The elected body then called an executive committee meeting on September 17, 1989 and it was decided to enroll 51 new life members.

Since then till 2004, VHA was run by late Balraj Aher as President and GM Pillay as its Incharge secretary. Then in 2004-05 Arun Kokane of Gondia Hockey Association brought an order from Joint Charity Commissioner to hold elections of the association and a fresh body was elected then (in 2005).

But the court’s order also stated that the list of voters which was used in 1987 will be used in 2005 polls.

After the new VHA body took charge, GM Pillay submitted a letter on September 3, 2005, stating that during his tenure (in 1989) 51 life members were enrolled and the same should be added to the list used during the 2005 polls. But several members opposed it and Aher and Pillay had no other option but to move court.

Pillay submitted all the relevant documents and copy of minutes of the executive meeting during which new members were enrolled, to the court.

After years of legal battle, the Deputy Charity Commissioner office passed the order on May 25, 2015 in Pillay’s favour and asked the association to incorporate all the 51 members.

The ‘new 51 members’

RC Nema, NM Dakaha, Tanvir Ahmed, BAR Naidu, Shoeb Parvez, Shankar Manchandioa, Raju Joseph, Apurva Sarkar, BR Naidu, RS Trivedi, SN Mishra, Surendra Mishra, KR Reddy, Suhail Arshad, Pradeep Nagarkar, Sunil Agrawal, Sanjay Pande, VB Datarkar, MA Waheed, Amresh Pramanik, Dilip Chougule, Dharamraj Kanojiya, Ashok Yadav, Satdev Mahadule, SR Tiwari, Prabhat Singh, Shailendra Jhazed, CS Iyer, Bernard Ekka, Gopal Thapa, MZ Beg, Altaf Ahmed, S Biswas, Rampal Thakur, Shyam Dubey, Imtiyaz Rizvi, Anil Daral, HB Kedar, Oswald Joseph, Madhu Salve, IC Sachdeva, Shyam Arora, Anjan Dey, VA Khan, MV Khan, A Salim, Mahendra Lakhanpar, Sushil Surve, Shaket Ali, PS Rajeshwar Rao, KT Bose.

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Shrigopal Soni to be VHA election officer 

FORMER Nag Vidarbha Chambers of Commerce (NVCC) president Shrigopal Soni has been appointed as the Election Officer of the Vidarbha Hockey Association polls.

The elections are likely to be held in the third week of November.

Soni’s named was suggested by VHA President Radheshyam Sarda during the executive body’s meeting on Wednesday. The choice was unanimous.

The association has decided to hold the election on November 23. The date will be now finalised by Election Officer Soni.

Split wide open in VHA? Pub on Oct 10, 2016

Hockey Lovers Panel and Hockey Promoters Panel likely to fight against each other in coming VHA elections

Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh says all is well in camp

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE alliance between Salim Baig’s ‘Sadar Panel’ (Hockey Lovers Panel) and TN Sidhra’s Hockey Promoters Panel, which was made to oust the Bhartia-Gawai body from Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), is unlikely to continue in the coming elections.
The formation of ‘Hockey Lovers and Promoters Panel’ was only a temporary arrangement between the two panels. The alliance had helped them sweep the VHA polls in November 2014. But differences between the ‘old rivals’ became visible within no time of assuming charge.
Things have come to a point that incumbent president Radheshyam Sarda has made up his mind to “not to be part of any panel or body” which has Sidhra, Shyam Sharma or any of his colleagues.
Fed up with the “bickering and non-cooperation” from Sidhra’s confidants, Sarda has decided to side with the Sadar Panel in the ensuing elections slated in mid November.
“They don’t want the game to grow. They only want to block smooth functioning. I am experiencing this since past two years. I never wanted to become president as I was aware of the working pattern of Sidhra when I was with VHA in 2004-05. But Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh insisted and I had to obey him,” Sarda told ‘The Hitavada’.
“In 2014, the first choice for president’s post was Suresh Sharma but he backed out and I was forced to fight for the post,” recalled Sarda.
However, there is still hope for the alliance to continue. Vice-President Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, the man behind bringing the two factions close, stated that all was well in their camp.
Singh said all the three panel’s should come together and fight for one common cause — development of the game.
“I want all the three panels to come together this time. I would request all to keep aside their differences and egos for at least two more years and work together for the development of hockey in Vidarbha.
“I respect Vinod Gawai a lot. He and his body has worked really hard for the development of the game. If we all come together and work for hockey’s development then there will be nothing like that,” said Singh.
The former city mayor refused to buy stories that there are major differences in the present body.
“There is difference of opinion in the present body but that is only for the betterment of the game. Radheshyam Sarda and TN Sidhra both are good and have exceptional administrative qualities. Sidhra, whom I call Brigadier, is well versed with the game of hockey. He has thorough knowledge of the game. I would definitely want him in any of my panel,” Singh asserted.
“In last two years we have worked really hard. We started from scratch, had nothing in bank. We contributed from our own pockets. For nearly one year we didn’t get documents from the previous body. I had several rounds of talk with Gawai and BC Bhartia and had requested them to hand over the papers (receipt books and other financial documents). They (Gawai-Bhartia) claim that they have submitted each and every document but treasurer Shyam Sharma said he didn’t get any. I have no other option but to trust my treasurer,” Singh explained about his team’s journey till now.
However, there are contradictory voices among members. Several from Sadar Panel are dead against working with the Promoters Panel headed by Sidhra. They are not speaking openly but most of the members in the executive committee have shown their discontent.
The election dates are likely to be announced by Thursday. It would be interesting to see how Singh, ‘the Santa Claus’ of city, manages to regroup all by ‘gifting’ posts of their liking in the executive body.

Time to learn from the best in world: Akash

Akash Chikte of Yavatmal in Indian team 

for Asian Champions Trophy

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Oct 8

EVERY sportsperson dreams of playing alongside his/her idol. They all want to become like the player they adore and worship in their learning days. Same was India goalkeeper Akash Chikte’s dream, to play alongside Indian custodian PR Sreejesh. Chikte, who hails from Lohara village in Yavatmal district, always idolised Sreejesh. He wanted to perform like Sreejesh, make breathtaking saves like the India captain does.

The son of a welding shop owner Anil and Baby, was over the moon when he found his name in the 18-member Indian hockey team’s list that will participate in the Asian Championship Trophy to be held at Kuantan in Malaysia from October 20. Chikte’s joy had no bounds as he would be sharing the room with his idol Olympian Sreejesh who has been named as the captain of the team by Hockey India.

“It’s unbelievable. I will be playing under Sreejesh, one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” said Chikte over phone from Bengaluru where he was attending the Indian team’s preparatory camp.

Though his chances of playing in any match are bleak as Sreejesh would be guarding the Indian citadel in almost all the encounters, Chikte said he would learn a lot from him. “Sree bhai would be playing most of the matches. But I will get an opportunity to learn a lot of new things from him as well as from others,” said Chikte, who had represented Vidarbha Hockey Association in 2008 Bhopal nationals. “He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and it would be the best opportunity to learn finer points from him,” he added.

Chikte was selected as the first choice goalkeeper for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament held in Ipoh in May earlier this year. The lanky goalkeeper did not disappoint as India won silver medal in that tournament. Had 18 members been allowed for Rio Olympics, Chikte would have been the automatic choice as the second goalkeeper.

But after his silver winning feat, Chikte was confident of securing a berth in Indian squad for Asian Champions Trophy. “I had performed well in Sultan Azlan Shah meet. I was confident of getting selected. I was also working hard during the training sessions,” he mentioned. Chikte pipped Indian Railways’ goalkeeper Abhinav Pandey to get into the team. “If I get a chance to play any match I assure you I wont’s disappoint,” he added.

“I would like to thank Manoj Bhore sir (Hockey Maharashtra secretary) and my BEG coach Sagar Thakur who helped from time to time,” he added.

The tournament will see India, Korea, Japan, China and hosts Malaysia challenge defending champions Pakistan.