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First time since '48, Mumbai hockey body to expand membership

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Press Trust of India Mumbai

A resolution to this effect is listed on the agenda of the 77th AGM of the association which is scheduled on August 11 followed by elections to its Managing Committee for a three -year term, MHA President Manga Singh Bakshi said today.

Bakshi is unfazed by the move by a host of former internationals, led by four-time Olympian and World Cupper Dhanraj Pillay, in submitting a memorandum to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Sports Minister Padmakar Walvi alleging mismanagement in the association's affairs. He dubbed it as "pressure tactics".

The former players had told the two Ministers that MHA continued to be reluctant in granting membership to players and clubs and that its premises at Churchgate are being misused by letting them out for weddings and other events.

 

They alleged that there was constant bickering in the present Managing Committee, where non-hockey members kept on stalling programmes initiated by Secretary Gurbax Singh and Committee member Joaquim Carvalho, both Olympians.

"They are afraid they would be defeated at the elections. These are just pressure tactics," Bakshi told reporters, adding there was already a resolution which has to be passed by a two-third majority at the August 11 AGM to increase the membership for the first time since 1948.

Committee member Ram Singh Rathor welcomed any probe into the MHA's affairs as demanded by the former players.

"We are ready for any inquiry."

Asked about the demand to make hockey players members, Rathor retorted whether he can, likewise, round up 100-200 cricketers and go to the adjacent Mumbai Cricket Association demanding membership. (More)

  

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First Published: Jul 20 2012 | 4:06 AM IST

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