Special Correspondent

July 24, 2026

HOCKEY Olympian and World Cup winner Ashok Kumar has criticised the One State On Unit policy of Hockey India (HI) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) terming it as a career-ruining decision of hundreds of players of the country.

In 2020, Hockey India mandated that only one state unit can hold voting and representative rights per state and snatched the recognitions of decades-old associations like Vidarbha Hockey Association and Mumbai Hockey Association.

This resulted in players from Vidarbha and Mumbai getting less opportunities to participate directly in national tournaments organised by Hockey India.

Ashok Kumar stated that earlier three teams used to get a chance to take part in nationals from a state like Maharastra. “This gave opportunities to more that 50 players to showcase their talents at national levels. However, the One State One Unit decision, ruined careers of many talented players as only 18 from the State could take part in the competition,” said the Arjuna Awardee.

“The players used to get maximum exposure which Hockey India took away from them. I can’t understand why such a decision has been taken where maximum participation from one state was 

Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Bharat and Bhopal teams used to participate. It used to benifit only the Indian team where they could select best of the talents. Uttar Pradesh is such a huge state, in area and as well as in population, but has only one team. Such State should have atleast three teams which would give players opportunities to participate in nationals. 

“I feel Hockey India should think on this and change its decision.

The former Olympian recollected his days when he played in the city before the team went to play the World Cup. 

“Nagpur has produced many great players.

“I have played several tournametns here and the atmosphere was great,” he concluded.

India can break 51-yr WC trophy jinx: Hockey Olympian Ashok Kumar

By Paritosh Pramanik

July 25, 2026

IT HAS been 51 years since India won its first and only hockey World Cup gold medal.

The final against Pakistan at Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Malaysia in 1975 saw, for one last time, India’s dominance on the hockey field as the Ajit Pal Singh-led side lifted the trophy with a 2-1 verdict.

It was because of the all-important goal scored by Ashok Kumar, son of legendary Dhyanchand, in the second half, which sealed the deal in India’s favour.

Those golden memories were still fresh in Askhok Kumar’s mind as he narrated a few anecdotes, especially of the semi-final against Malaysia and final against arch-rivals Pakistan, on Friday afternoon here in Nagpur.

The former centre forward got nostalgic while bringing those memorable days back.

In the city for Bankers’ Sports Council’s annual awards function as chief guest, Arjuna Awardee Ashok Kumar remembered those days and believed that Harmanpreet Singh-captained side will deliver their best performance this World Cup which will be co-hosted in Amstelveen, Netherlands and Wavre, Belgium from August 15 to 30.

“This Indian team has all the wherewithal to go the distance. They can break the 51-year jinx. Harmanpreet Singh is a cool and calm captain and is the best drag-flicker in the world at present. The team has won back to back Olympic bronze medals and will give their all in Holland,” said 76-year-old former centre forward.

“We have two big tournaments coming in the next couple of months and that would be crucial. We are playing the World Cup in August and then the Asian Games in Japan in September. These are big events,” said the striker who won World Cup bronze in the inaugural 1971 World Cup and silver in the next edition (1973).

The Jhansi-born player felt that the Commonwealth Games Committee should have included hockey in its roster. “The competition level would have been high with teams like Australia, New Zealand, England being the opponents. It would have been great for teams as well as for spectators,” he mentioned.

During his days, the Indian teams were coached and managed by an Indian only and Ashok Kumar believed that today’s team does not need a foreign coach.

“When the game was changing with new rules and was shifted from ‘chat’ and grass grounds to astro-turfs, a foreign coach was needed. But now, we have adapted the game well. I think there are many former players like Sardara Singh, V Raghunath to name a few, whose services can be utilised by Hockey India,” Ashok Kumar explained.

The two-time Olympic bronze medallist felt that Hockey India needs to concentrate on developing hockey at grassroot which is the feeder line.

“Hockey India is lacking in developing the game at grassroot level. That is the feeder line and if we want to be on the top of the hockey map, we must have a strong feeder line. I think, Hockey India should invest heavily in promoting hockey at age group level,” said Ashok Kumar who won Asian Games silver medals at Bangkok (1970 and 1978) and Tehran (1974).

Ashok Kumar hoped that Hockey India starts recognising former stars by providing financial assistance.

“I have had discussions with officials of Hockey India. I have suggested that former stars should get pension from Hockey India, just like in cricket. There should be criteria and grades but former players who brought laurels to the country by winning Olympic medals and World Cup titles, should be taken care off. Today, there are many hockey stalwarts who are living their lives in penury. It feels bad to see them in such a state. Hope Hockey India makes a positive move in this direction,” concluded the Munich Olympics bronze medal winner.

Collector cancels VHA’s lease

Association appeals to Divisional Commissioner for relief

VHA seeks its Patron Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ intervention

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, July 24, 2026

IN A massive setback to hockey activities in city, the District Collector has terminated the lease of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) and asked the Tehsildar to take possession of the piece of land.

The order, dated July 17, 2026, contends that VHA had ceased to satisfy the conditions needed to continue the lease. It came after an adverse report submitted by the District Sports Office which flagged lack of facilities for players and holding of tournaments at the ground.

A livid VHA has moved the Divisional Commissioner to look into the matter and quash the order passed by the District Collector.

VHA is in possession of the 3.8 acres of land on Amravati Road since 1962. The lease was renewed in 2007 for 30 years and it was to continue till 2037.

The Collector, in a couple of show-cause notices, had asked VHA to furnish all the documents of the lease and sought to know whether the lease rules were being followed in toto. The association had complied with the notices and also appeared for hearing.

“VHA also attached the letter of District Sports Office which praised and thanked the association for providing the facility to conduct inter-school hockey last year (2025),” said Krishna Joshi, VHA co-ordinator appointed by Administrator TN Sidhra.

“It is surprising that only VHA is targeted and not any other association,” stated Joshi while talking with ‘The Hitavada’.

In the order, the Collector also mentioned that the annual lease fee was not paid for several years. Other reasons for cancellation of lease include; ground is not maintained, uneven bushes all around, absebce of astro-turf, an open nullah which can cause injury to players, no goalposts, no marking, no drainage system, no changing room, no clean drinking water and absence of other facilities.

Joshi termed all the allegations as false.

“The ground has all the facilities including changing rooms, toilets, aqua guard for clean drinking water. This is not a hockey season and the marking is done during the matches/tournaments. How can there be marking in rainy season? The grass cutting starts immediately after rainy season,” stated Joshi.

The association has sought Divisional Commissioner’s intervention in the matter. It has mentioned a recent High Court judgement which directed Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, Commissioner, Pune, to decide on the sports grace marks to VHA players.

The HC had pulled up the Directorate for delay in taking a decision on sports quota concession to VHA players, askeing it to decide within three weeks and convey it to VHA.

“The Directorate is yet to reply us in this matter,” Joshi informed.

The association has also written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also happens to be the Patron of VHA, seeking his intervention.

“I respectfully seek your kind intervention in a matter 

which has serious implications not only for the Vidarbha Hockey Association but also for future of hockey in the Vidarbha region.

“We request your goodself to kindly intervene and direct that the matter be reconsidered at the appropriate level, particularly in view of the pending proceedings before the Directorate and the larger public interest involved in preserving this historic sporting institution,” read the letter to Chief Minister Fadnavis, signed by Joshi.

Decide on grace marks to VHA players in three weeks: HC to Dir of Sports

By Paritosh Pramanik

July 10, 2026

PULLING up the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, Commissioner, Pune, for delay in taking decision on sports quota concession and grace marks to Vidarbha Hockey Association’s players, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has asked it to take decision within three weeks and convey it to the petitioner (VHA).

The bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj J Wakode, on Thursday, gave direction to the respondents after VHA approached the court seeking immediate decision as the concerned departments did not respond to their reply for over a year.

“In view of the submission made by petitioner, we dispose of the present writ petition with a direction to respondent No 1 (The State of Maharashtra Through Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare) and Respondent No 2 (The Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, Commissioner, Pune) more specifically respondent No 2 to decide the aforesaid representation dated 09.05.2025 within a stipulated period of three weeks from the date of production of the order,” the bench stated.

“The decision taken there upon shall be communicated to the petitioner (VHA) within a period of two weeks thereafter,” the bench ordered.

VHA was denied sports quota concession and grace marks for its players by Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, last year.

The association stated that its players were getting concessions and grace marks until 2024, despite it was de-affiliated from Hockey India in 2020.

VHA, through its counsels Senior Adv Firdos Mirza, Adv Anurag Mankar and Adv Niranjan Jadhav, also submitted that it is entitled and qualified to membership with Hockey Maharashtra as per the order passed by Hon’ble High Court in WP No 20253/2020 and also in accordance with the letter dated 06.01.2020 issued by Hockey India.

VHA also submitted that as per the affidavit filed by Hockey India, the association can function and participate in all the national level, state-level and other tournaments, selections under its own banner.

It also admitted that only in respect of participation in national level championship organised by Hockey India that VHA will have to participate through Hockey Maharashtra.

The association also submitted that withdrawal of sports quota concession and grace marks would result in grave prejudice to the players associated with VHA and adversely affect their education and career prospects.

VHA replies to Collector’s show cause notice

 Association submits documents related to 3.80 acres of land

Sports Reporter

June 25, 2026

VIDARBHA Hockey Association (VHA) has submitted its reply to the show cause notice issued by Collector’s Office. The district administration has sought explanation on number of points which were related to alleged voilation of lease conditions of the nazul land.

VHA, through its Advocate Niranjan Jadhav, submitted its reply in writng along with the documents of the ground, which is situated off Amravati Road.

The nazul department has renewed the lease of VHA ground period of thirty years, from 24 September 2007 to 23 September 2037. According to the show cause notice there are concerns regarding compliance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the lease renewal order. 

One of the key provisions under scrutiny is Condition No 5 of Form-BB attached to the lease renewal order. According to the condition, if the association loses government recognition or recognition from the competent department, the lease shall be deemed to have automatically expired.

“According to communications issued by the Commissioner, Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra State, dated 4 May 2023 and 7 April 2025, the recognised organisations for the sport of hockey are Hockey India and Hockey Maharashtra. However, based on the records presently available with the administration, it appears that Vidarbha Hockey Association is not included among the recognised sports organisations. This situation has raised doubts regarding the continued fulfillment of the lease conditions, particularly those relating to recognition by the competent authority,” the notice read.

Krishna Joshi, who has been appointed as co-ordinator of VHA by Administrator Triloki Nath Sidhra, said there is no violation as the lease has been renewed till 2037.

“The lease was renewed in 2007 by Secretary Vinod Gavai. There was a theft in VHA office a few years back and several documents were stolen. We don’t know till which year the annual renewal fee has been deposited. I have asked the concerned department for the exact year from which we have to pay the renewal fee,” stated Joshi.

FLIP-FLOP FROM DSO

According to a submission from District Sports Office, which conducted hockey tournaments at VHA ground last year, the ground was not in playing condition and there was no changing rooms and washing rooms.

“The DSO asked us (VHA) for the ground. The matches were conducted under the aegis of The Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (TNDUHA). We only provided the field with proper marking. There are two changing rooms and washing rooms. It was duty of TNDUHA to keep it clean as they received the funds from DSO.

“The DSO, through a letter dated 23-09-2025, also thanked the association for providing the ground. On one hand DSO showed satisfaction by thanking the association and on the other, it is claiming the ground as unplayable. This is double standards,” alleged Joshi.

“There is another hockey ground in Sadar which is also not affiliated with Hockey India or Hockey Maharashtra. I don’t think that association got any notice from Collector’s office,” said Joshi.