VHA sub-jr girls denied participation in nationals

By Paritosh Pramanik

CONFUSION over legal status of its selection committee has resulted in Vidarbha Hockey Association’s (VHA) sub-junior girls team being denied participation at the Hockey India’s 9th Sub-Junior National Championship .
The VHA selection committee, led by Vivek Siriah, had picked the team for the tournament to be held in Sikar, Rajasthan. It had an order of the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court to select a team and send it as official entry to the Hockey India. However, the organisers denied Vidarbha entry citing dispute over the selection that was dubbed as illegal by the other body in VHA.
The girls team went to Sikar with high hopes of representing the ‘State’. But they suffered a rude shock when they were told that the team can not participate as their entry is not okayed by Hockey India.
‘The Hitavada’ had published about bleak chances of Vidarbha team’s participation in the nationals. Hockey India’s had suspended VHA for the season for the infighting between its executive committee members. The committee was divided in two groups with one faction led by AP Joshi and the other by BC Bhartia.
When VHA was denied participation in the senior men’s nationals earlier this year, now suspended Vinod Gawai had approached High Court challenging Hockey India’s decision.
The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, in its interim order, had asked the selection committee, which was ‘not in any dispute’ to conduct the selection trials and send the team for nationals. Siriah, chairman of the selection committee conducted selection trials and declared the team for the nationals.
However, Hockey India refused to entertain VHA’s team.
Arun Kumar Saraswat, President of Hockey Rajasthan said he can’t allow Vidarbha to participate as Hockey India has not forwarded their name.
“How can I allow Vidarbha to participate when Hockey India has not forwarded their name,” he asked.
“The association is suspended by Hockey India and the fixtures are made well in advance. If Hockey India permits only then VHA team can participate,” Saraswat clarified.
The development has come as a big disappointment for VHA. “I am really unhappy with the turn of events. I have nothing to do with the bickering between the groups in VHA. I announced the selection trials only after High Court ordered.
“Now that Hockey India is not abiding by the court’s order is really shocking,” said Siriah.
Siriah said he was in contact with Hockey India since last 15 days or so. “I was in touch with Hockey India for more than two weeks. I have mailed them all the documents including court’s order. But I did not receive any reply. With the tournament dates approaching I had to send the team. Otherwise it would have been contempt. I was only following the court’s directives,” explained Siriah.
Siriah said the team is still in Sikar with a slender hope of playing. “We have asked the team to stay put in Sikar. We will make the last ditch effort on Wednesday morning. Let’s hope for the best,” he said. Siriah recalled that around two decades back same situation had prevailed when two teams from Vidarbha used to travel for nationals and were thrown out by the organisers.
“After more than 20 years, the infighting among officials continue. I was the sufferer two decades ago. We had returned without participating in the nationals. Nothing has changed in VHA since then. The officials are fighting for posts and are egoistic. They hardly care about the careers of players. It is a very pitiful condition,” said Siriah, a former national-level forward.