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.
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