EVEN as Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) waits for High Court’s order regarding its legal entity and ground’s custody, the association’s plans to organise a Vidarbha-level hockey tournament on the birth anniversary of Major Dhyanchand received a huge boost. What was planned as a single age group tournament has now turned into a competition in three age categories. It was planned to organise only Under-19 age group tournament but with teams and players requesting participation, VHA decided to conduct tournament in three age groups. “When we declared the Under-19 tournament, we got several calls requesting to conduct the meet in senior category as well. Similarly, school teams also approached us and asked for an Under-17 age group competition.

 

“If we get sufficient teams we will conduct the tournament in three categories — Under-17, Under-19 and senior group,” an elated Krishna Joshi, co-ordinator appointed by VHA Administrator TN Sidhra, told ‘The Hitavada’ on Friday. The tournament will be held on August 29, birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyanchand at VHA’s Amravati Road ground. “The players want to play hockey which is not being held in the city for quite some time. We want to restart hockey in Nagpur and bring back the lost glory,” said Joshi. Not only clubs from Nagpur, but teams from Akola, Gadchiroli, Wardha and other districts of Vidarbha also have confirmed their participation in the tournament. “The response is good and we will be having several teams from other districts of Vidarbha as well,” informed Joshi. Meanwhile, the ground is being brought in shape with grass cutting going on on war footing. After the grass is cut, the ground would be levelled will heavy roller to make it in playable condition.