HC seeks word from HI about allowing VHA teams in its meets

Staff Reporter

INDICATING that it would like to have a firm assurance from Hockey India about protection of future of hockey players belonging to Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Friday asked the apex body whether VHA could be permitted to participate in hockey activities to be conducted by Hockey India under the banner of VHA.
VHA sought parity with Vidarbha Cricket Association and stated that both VHA and VCA were protecting interests of hockey and cricket players by allowing them to participate in national level tournaments while repeatedly making it clear that VHA was not interested in getting voting rights. 
Both VHA and VCA were formed during earlier CP and Berar and while other two hockey associations in Maharashtra functional, the VHA should be allowed to retain its existence for the benefit of players from Vidarbha, Marathawada and Khandesh region, VHA demanded while seeking urgent relief. 
Hockey India had decided to disaffiliate VHA from July 1. VHA claimed that it was in existence since 1959 and applying one state one unit norm of Justice (retd) R M Lodha committee report applied to Cricket Boards would be unfair and unjust to VHA, which was not interested in getting voting right at all.
A division bench consisting of Justice Ravi Deshpande and Justice Amit Borkar, while hearing a petition filed by VHA against the decision of Hockey India to disaffiliate the unit, sought to know whether it would continue participation of VHA members under their existing banner in the sports activities carried out by the federation.
Hockey India counsel Adv Shreerang Bhandarkar informed that the apex body would recognise only Hockey Maharashtra as a single unit for the state and VHA is free to participate through the state body. But this in effect, will reduce opportunity for players from Vidarbha at national level, the VHA requested to allow its separate participation only in sporting activities. Adv Anand Parchure, appearing for the VHA, sought such a promise from Hockey India and the High Court also asked Adv Bhandarkar to file a specific pursis on this point before the next hearing slated on July 30.
According to VHA, in Maharashtra, there are three units including VHA at Nagpur representing 22 districts of Vidarbha, Khandesh and Marathwada hockey players, Mumbai Hockey Association at Mumbai and Maharashtra Hockey Association at Pune. VHA has a glorious past and is in possession of 3.80 acre land at Civil Lines and 2.5 acre land at Sadar since six decades, where regular hockey tournaments and camps are held for players since decades.
The petitioner-association repeatedly stated that it was fighting the battle to retain the existence for the sake of the career of hundreds of hockey players of the region and was not interested in affairs of the national body now known as Hockey India (earlier Indian Hockey Federation). VHA Administrator Triloki Nath Sidhra in his petition also pointed out earlier attempts to dissuade Hockey India not to disaffiliate the association and let its players participate in Hockey India organised national championships. The letter was sent to Hockey India on February 19, 2020 followed by another representation dated May 29 but till date no reply has been received by the association, stated Adv Anand Parchure appearing for VHA. 
On June 3, VHA forwarded the annual subscription fee, but the same was returned by Hockey India stating that since the VHA’s membership would cease to exist on July 1, there was no question of accepting the subscription fees, forcing VHA to knock the doors of the High Court.
On January 6, 2020, Hockey India had asked VHA and several other Associate Units to merge with their State bodies by June 30, 2020, citing Indian Olympic Association’s one state one unit diktat. VHA was asked to merge with Hockey Maharashtra which is a Permanent Member of HI. 
VHA was incorporated as an Associate Member with Hockey India in June 2013 after the then president BC Bhartia and secretary Vinod Gawai, fought for its inclusion. Since then VHA teams have participated in Hockey India organised nationals. Non affiliation from Hockey India might also bring downfall of the game in central India and put careers of budding players in jeopardy, the petitioner apprehended.