This story is from July 1, 2020

Can’t allow Vidarbha Hockey Association to participate in tournaments: HI to HC

Can’t allow Vidarbha Hockey Association to participate in tournaments: HI to HC
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NAGPUR: After a categorical statement from Hockey India (HI) that Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) wouldn’t be allowed to participate in its tournaments due to one-state one-team policy, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Tuesday kept the petition for final disposal after eight weeks.
A division bench comprising justices Ravi Deshpande and Amit Borkar, however, allowed VHA to amend its petition through counsel Anand Parchure, by adding Maharashtra Hockey (HM) as respondent within a week and issued notice to it.

Earlier, HI filed a pursis through counsel Shreerang Bhandarkar, where it said VHA can’t be permitted to participate in its activities except through HM. HI however allowed city-based petitioner to participate in the sports activities to be conducted by HM.
“We, therefore, don’t find that the controversy is likely to be resolved. The matter requires consideration on merits, hence we issue notice for final disposal of the matter,” the judges said.
The VHA had approached the judiciary questioning HI’s move to discontinue its membership on the ground that there has to be only one body representing each state, as a policy decision. It pointed out that from May 10, 1959, to March 30, 1962, it was a registered association. Later, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Association was renamed VHA with its headquarters at Nagpur. It included Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh, comprising Jalgaon and adjoining districts.

Currently, in Maharashtra, there are three associations — Bombay Hockey Association (BHA), and Bombay and Maharashtra Association at Pune, apart from VHA. All of them are permitted to forward their teams at national level tournaments.
On January 6, VHA received a communication from HI informing that its membership would automatically cease from July 1. VHA contended the decision was unilaterally taken and neither any show cause notice was issued, nor any opportunity of being heard was granted.
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