In a major relief to sub-junior girls’ team of Vidarbha, the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Hockey India (HI) to permit players of suspended Vidarbha Hockey Association to participate in the ongoing 9th All India Sub-Junior National Girls Hockey Championship (B Division).
The tournament got underway at Sikar in Rajasthan on Wednesday. It is pertinent to note here that when Vidarbha girls reached the venue on Tuesday, they were prohibited by the organisers from participating in the nationals citing the reason that VHA has been banned by the Hockey India. As a result the girls were also deprived of accommodation there.
On Wednesday VHA knocked moved Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, which has given the direction to Hockey India vide its order dated 15-5-2019. Hockey India may make appropriate changes in the schedule of the tournament in pursuant to the permission granted by the High Court.
According to the chairman of sub-junior Women Selection Committee Vivek Siriah, “In view of the above direction, now the air is clear that out sub-junior girls hockey team will be participating in the said national tournament. It is a win win situation for the hockey and players in the region”, he said.
The readers may recall that Hockey India had suspended VHA due to infighting among its executive committee members. But, after High Court’s order, the team was selected during the trials held on May 1 and May 2.
