In a turn of events, the Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) Executive Committee has rejected the resignation of President Haresh Vora, who had tendered his resignation on Saturday, seeking immediate relief from his duties.
During an emergency meeting on Sunday, chaired by NDFA official Atmaram Pandey, the committee discussed the controversy surrounding a Rs 50,000 fine imposed on Young Muslim Football Club (YMFC) for allegedly abusing a referee during last month’s Dr. Nitin Raut Football Tournament.
Vora, who had previously had said that he maintains a positive rapport with both YMFC President Kamil Ansari and NDFA officials, explained that his resignation stemmed from disagreements over the penalty amount. “I value the safety of referees above all. When I suggested a reduction in the fine, some committee members initially opposed but eventually settled on Rs 30,000. However, YMFC President Ansari insisted on reducing it further to Rs 11,000, which I and the NDFA opposed. This lack of support for my decision led me to resign,” Vora shared.
In Sunday’s meeting, Ansari agreed to the revised fine of Rs 30,000 and paid an initial installment of Rs 10,000, requesting two months to settle the remainder. The NDFA committee accepted this payment plan, as confirmed by NDFA Secretary Iqbal Kashmiri.
Ansari, however, warned that if Vora’s resignation were accepted, YMFC—multiple-time champions of the NDFA Elite League—would withdraw from the tournament.
Ultimately, the committee decided not to accept Vora’s resignation, with the decision formally conveyed to Pandey in a report by Secretary Kashmiri.