Bhagwant memorial hockey trophy to remain in locker?

Kanchan Vasdev

Tribune News Service

The controversy surrounding Kila Raipur rural olympiad is all set to cast its shadow on the historic Bhagwant Memorial Hockey Trophy, a major attraction of the sports extravaganza, that would remain inside the locker this time.

A faction of Grewal Sports Association led by Paramjit Singh Grewal has bluntly refused to hand it over to oragnisers led by Gurpinder Grewal, stating they could not trust them with cup moulded out of one kg gold worth Rs 18 lakhs. It would be for the first time in the history of Kila Raipur games that the trophy would rest inside the locker.

While the organisers led by Gurpinder Singh Grewal today said the trophy would be on the table on February 21 and would be handed over to the winning team, Paramjit Singh, general secretary of a faction of GSA said they would not hand over the trophy to them at any cost.

‘‘They are backed by the ruling party and the police is at their beck and call. They sent police officials at our village asking for the trophy but that does not mean that we would coolly hand it over to them. No way we will give it to them, ’’ said Paramjit adding that the three office bearers of association had to sign over its handing over report. ‘‘Does that group enjoy the confidence of three office bearers?’’ he asked.

On the other hand, Gurpinder Singh Grewal said there was no controversy atall. He said it was a running trophy and was handed over to winning hockey team on the stand only. ‘‘It was infact a showpiece that was used for clicking pictures. Later it was retained by the organisers and the winning team was made to walk with its replica, ’’ said Gurpinder.

He however claimed that there was no controversy and the organisers would definitely ensure that the trophy was taken out this year too like every year. ‘‘There is no point arguing over this as we are very clear about it, ’’ he said.