Air India halts Dhanraj Pillay’s Aga Khan flight

By Mihir Vasavda | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

Former India skipper Dhanraj Pillay has not been given the permission to participate in the All-India Aga Khan hockey tournament by his club, Air India.

Pillay was supposed to represent hosts Bombay Gymkhana President’s XI in the tournament, which has been revived after nine years. However, Air India’s policy of not allowing any of its ‘A’ team players to participate for other clubs means that the veteran midfielder cannot take part.

Pillay, 42, still plays for Air India in various domestic competitions.
“We have decided to be strict with our policy of not allowing our ‘A’ team players individually in any tournaments. We will be playing as a team and no player can represent any of the clubs. If they do, it will call for a disciplinary action against him,” an Air India official said.

President’s XI is an exhibition side fielded by Bombay Gymkhana, and apart from Pillay, the team consists of former international players Viren Rasquinha, Darryl D’Souza, Edgar Mascarenhas Jr, Edgar Mascarenhas Sr and Devinder Kumar.

Their first match is scheduled on Monday against Mumbai-based Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF).

Sources said Pillay will be asking for Air India’s permission again, considering that ‘this is just an exhibition side made up of former players.’ But Pillay, who was in Malaysia on Sunday for the Azlan Shah Cup, was not available for comment.

Tournament organisers said not allowing Pillay to play was Air India’s prerogative and they cannot help much but hoped that “Air India will reconsider their decision and allow Pillay to participate”.