The Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd’s (MHAL) hopes of continuing to occupy the premises suffered a blow of sorts after a competent authority looking into the matter ruled against them. In its verdict, the competent authority seconded the government’s decision to cancel the lease of land allotted to MHAL and have asked them to move out of the venue.

The association officials said they haven’t received any official intimation yet. “We have the option of appealing the verdict to the higher authorities. Once we get the written order, we will go to the city civil court and request intervention,” MHAL honorary secretary Ram Singh Rathor said.

In October last year, the state government stressed that the be taken back from MHAL since the body has a host of complaints registered against them by members of the public including prominent former India hockey players from Mumbai, Shiv Chhatrapati awardees and Arjuna awardees among others.

The complainants had alleged “violations of the lease agreement and rules and regulations, failure to encourage hockey, utilisation of the plot for wedding receptions and other commercial functions, renovation of the stadium and administration office without the government’s consent.”

The association, originally affiliated to the Indian Hockey Federation, came under the wings of Hockey India recently and is currently hosting the Hockey India League matches at the stadium.