NATIONAL HOCKEY – MP govt issues legal notice to HI

Madhya Pradesh government has threatened legal action against Hockey India secretary Narinder Batra for his alleged defamatory remarks against the state’s Sports Director Sanjay Chaudhary.

Hockey India and the state’s Sports Directorate are at loggerheads since the latter has been hosting the Indian Hockey Federation-organised national championship in Bhopal, a move that has not gone down well with the officially recognised apex body of the sport.

On Thursday, the directorate issued a legal notice to Batra and HI advisor Anupam Gulati asking them to apologise or face legal action after the duo criticised the sports director in alleged comments to a local daily here. “Chaudhary is seeking proximity with Gill for vested interests. Vested interest drove Chaudhary to organise the event, putting the future of upcoming players at stake,“ Batra was quoted as saying by the daily.

Gulati allegedly went a step ahead saying the players participating in the tournament would bear the brunt and would never represent the country in future.

Chaudhary told Hindustan Times on Friday that the HI officials had no business to comment on the state government’s policies and demanded an apology. “If they don’t reply or tender apology for their comments, we will take legal remedy,“ said the IPS officer.

Meanwhile, Narinder Batra claimed that he never made any derogatory remarks against any individual. “I was asked for my comments on sending the Indian team for the Asian Games by IHF, and I didn’t comment against any individual,“ Batra told HT . “Let them send as many as notices they can. I don’t care about such people, and they are the people dividing Indian hockey.“ MUMBAI IN QUARTERS Mumbai outplayed a spirited Manipur 4-0 to enter the quarterfinals of the Senior National Men’s Hockey Championship for the Rangaswamy Cup here at the Aishbagh Stadium.

Gyanendra Pandey (45th), Amit Cowda (50th), Alden D’Souza (53rd) and Gursev Singh (61st) were the scorers.

Tamil Nadu too made it to the last eight-stage, with a thrilling 2-1 win over Maharashtra.

In other league matches of the day, Rajasthan defeated Madhya Pradesh 5-1, while Haryana crushed Andhra Pradesh 10-1.