With 118 affiliated units, VHA voters list swells to 445

Sale of nomination forms today

Principal Correspondent

IN ELECTION season, the voters’ list of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) has seen sudden surge in the number of affiliated units which crossed the 100-figure mark for the first time.
The elections of the association are going to be held on December 17 at its office off Amravati Road.
Last year, the number of affiliated units (clubs, schools colleges and districts) were 99 but the elections were cancelled after High Court’s order.
This year, it seems members have worked round the clock to increase their vote base which resulted in 118 affiliated units registering their names. Whether all these affiliated units field their teams for competition is there to be seen.
In B Division, 48 Clubs have registered themselves while 38 schools got affiliated with the association.
In contrast only seven colleges have registered with the hockey governing body.
Surprisingly, with hardly any competition held since last few season for women teams, 13 women clubs got affiliated. Despite Out of 11 districts in Vidarbha, only six are affiliated with VHA. With six patrons, 321 life members and 118 affiliated units, the total voters list has been increased to 445.
Since the first elections of the association in 2005, the subsequent governing bodies surprisingly failed to delete the names of deceased members which comes around 100.
On Wednesday, Election officer Srigopal Madanlal Soni heard the objections raised by the members on voters’ list.
Two representatives, Subashchandra Gupta and Anoop Kumar Damble, filed their names from Vijayanta Hockey Club. Tanveer Ahmed, President of Vijayanta Hockey Club personally visited the election office on Wednesday evening and gave written assurance that Mr Damle will be his representative, election officer deleted the name of Gupta who’s name was filed by Salim Baig.
Hockey Promoters Panel raised objection on voters list and alleged that several affiliated units were given registration after the scheduled date. They demanded to have a look at the lists submitted by various units but Soni rejected their application stating that the Panel is not registered with VHA.
“I have verified the receipt book and the minute books of the association and have found that the receipts issued by the association to 118 affiliated units was well within prescribed time.  Since the Panel is not a member of VHA, I am unable to grant you inspection of the records to Hockey Promoters Panel,” stated the letter from election officer Soni.
Meanwhile, final voters list will be displayed on Thursday ad sale of nomination forms will be held same day (5 to 7 pm). Submission of nomination form will be held on December 5 while the withdrawal can be done on December 9 between 4 and 6 pm after which the final list of contestants will be displayed.
Soni is being assisted by CA Balkisan Bang, Rajesh Lahoti and Satish Biyani in election process.