HC asks MP government to reply on hockey body’s petition
JABALPUR: Madhya Pradesh high court on Wednesday directed the state government to reply on the petition filed by Bhopal Hockey Association demanding to refrain the Directorate of Sports from unilaterally hosting the Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey tournament at Bhopal from December 17.
The notices to this effect were issued by the single judge bench of Justice RS Jha on a petition filed by the Bhopal Hockey Association’s secretary I Rehman.
The court has asked the state government and the Sports Directorate to reply on the issue within two days.
The petitioner claimed that the Association was holding the Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey tournament since its inception.
But while organising the 65th Obaidullah Khan tournament, rival associations moved the court following which under the compromise, the Sports Directorate and other bodies were allowed to hold the (65th) tournament only and not any other event.
On the basis of the above compromise, the parties concerned cannot organise the 66th Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey tournament and therefore, the association has no option except to approach the court for its intervention, the petitioner further said.