23 December,2009 07:55 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
It's ironic that the only hockey association in the country to have hosted a World Cup Bombay Hockey Association in 1982 finds its significance diluted at a time when the World Cup (New Delhi, February 28-March 13, 2010) has returned to the country.
By offering institutional membership without any voting rights to the Mumbai Hockey Association, the national body Hockey India could well have charted Mumbai hockey's path of doom. "We are unhappy with Hockey India's proposition requiring us, the Vidarbha Hockey Association (the other two bodies in the state) and the Maharashtra Hockey Association (who have been recognised and given voting rights) to merge. We consider this a ploy to sideline or worse still kill Mumbai hockey," MHA spokesperson and Olympian Joaquim Carvalho said yesterday on the eve of a press conference to be held today to air the body's grievances in this regard.
Carvalho justified MHA's stance of demanding independent status citing the consequences of the merger.
"At least 18 players from each of the existing three bodies currently represent their association at a national tournament.
"If this merger takes place, only one combined team will be fielded leaving the other 36 players in the lurch.
"At a time when we have to scout for talent to lift the dwindling spirit of Indian hockey, we will actually be doing away with the existent talent at our disposal," said Carvalho.
Meanwhile, the Ikram Khan-led Maharashtra Hockey Association has told MiD DAY that it is willing to adhere to the Mumbai body's demands if they join them. "We welcome MHA with open arms. We will even have one of their officials on the board and are also ready give voting rights," Khan said yesterday.
