Sidhra firm that Hockey India is the only recognized body

NAGPUR: A couple of days after Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) strengthened its stand saying that Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) is solely liable to conduct the nationals and domestic tournaments, Hockey Maharashtra (HM) vice-president Trilokinath Sidhra once again questioned the district body’s credibility.

Landing verbal volleys at the VHA, Sidhra, remained firm that the nationals, organized by IHF wherein VHA players are talking part, is not recognized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and that the case is still in judiciary. “How can IHF conduct nationals when FIH has given HI the power to run hockey in India. The Delhi HC might have given them a go ahead as of now but as per the international scene goes, we are solely liable to conduct nationals in India,” said Sidhra while talking to TOI on Thursday.

VHA secretary Vinod Gavai had said that IHF has filed a case against FIH’s decision to derecognize it. Though Gavai was quite confident of a positive outcome, Sidhra maintained that it will only hand them (VHA and IHF) more disappointment. “The FIH is not affected by Delhi HC’s decision. FIH, being an international body, does not come under Indian judiciary’s domain. Even though the case will drag on for a few more months, I am sure IHF will only face more embarrassment,” he said.

“Just last November I got a letter from the Ministry of Railways that the railway concession will only be given to the players whom we’ll field in the nationals. The players participating in the nationals under IHF are not liable for any sort of concession,” said the 67-year-old.

Sidhra was of the opinion that the players should decide whom to play under. “HI is fielding the national teams. Even the certificates useful to get jobs under sports quota should be HI’s and not IHF’s. So, players should decide whom they want to play for. In HI and HM, we have no hard feelings for any player,” said Sidhra.

The veteran of many a battle, he also lambasted the current VHA body for not showing faithfulness in their work. “There is no transparency. They have not held elections since 2007. As per the constitution, VHA elections should have happened every year. However, they tampered their own constitution in such a way that elections will now be held every five years. It’s surely their dirty tactics to freeze up their positions as long as they can,” he said.

“Also, look what they are doing since the past 3-4 years. We haven’t produced any national player from our region. How can that happen! Look at the thick bed of grass at the VHA ground (off Amravati Road). It’s so slow that the ball doesn’t travel at all. They’ve used garden grass which is only pleasurable to the eyes not for the sportspersons,” Sidhra added.