Vidhya Stokes, in her late 70s, is in trouble. As per the existing government order, she is ineligible to contest the forthcoming Hockey India election of which she is acting president.

Vidhya Stokes, who is currently Opposition Leader in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, has filed her nomination for the president of Hockey India post in the coming July 28th election. She is in the IOA sponsored and Narindra Batra engineered lobby. Triple Olympian Pargat Singh is other contestant for the same post.

Election observer Mendiratta has brought certain provisions of government guidelines to the attention of the Returning Officer, who is a retired judge. He writes, “…It is also stipulated that no person holding the Office of President, Secretary General and Treasurer shall continue to be in office on attaining the age of 70 years. … the age restriction with regard to the above mentioned Offices of President, Secretary General and Treasurer shall be applicable in relation to the present elections”. His communication stresses that Narindra Batra (General Secretary) to be advised to collect such age declarations from the candidates before scrutiny of nominations which is to be held on 20th July, 2010.

However, Vidhya Stokes in her reply has stressed that since theirs a Society they are not bound by any government of India’s guidelines. You can watch the original letters of Mendiratta and Vidhya Stokes in the IHF Watch Section or What’s new Section