FIFA's suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) seems to have a ripple effect on other national sports associations which are facing court cases in the national capital. Hockey India, the national governing body for sport in the country, which came under the Delhi High Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), has advised its affiliated state units to complete their electoral process by mid-September.
Following the directives of the Hockey India, Goans Hockey, the body entrusted with the affairs of the game in the State, has announced that its elections will be held on September 8, 4.30 pm at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, according to a communication sent to all the affiliated clubs who are eligible to vote at the elections.
The Delhi High Court appointed the CoA after it found that Hockey India failed to oblige to the National Sports Code 2011 formulated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which aims to bring transparency and accountability to their functioning.
The following clubs are eligible to vote at the elections: Hockey North Goa, Hockey South Goa, San Antonio Warriors Sports Club, Young Sports Hockey Club, Crozen Society, Stars of Sattari Hockey Club, Don Bosco Oratory Cultural and Youth Club, Aquem Baixo Socio Cultural Association, Goa Hockey Promoters, Navelim Hockey Club, Bambina Recreational Club, Guddi Sports Club, Innovation Socio Cultural Sports Club, Integrated Welfare Development Trust, Maina Hockey Club, Majorda Hockey Club and Sanguem Cultural and Sports Club.
“Hockey India has fixed the elections as per FIH directives and Goans Hockey was shocked to receive this at a short notice on August 19. All member units affiliated to Hockey India have been instructed to conduct elections by September 8,” Beny Viegas, secretary of Goans Hockey, said in his communique to the 17 clubs.
Justifying the elections at short notice, Viegas stated: “Since Goans Hockey is affiliated to Hockey India, we have to obey the Directives and cannot challenge them. We are in no way involved, in rushing through this process, nor are interested, in depriving our future players of playing at the National Championship which clearly states, that units which do not conduct elections will be barred from Hockey India recognition. In the interest of development of the sport, we have called for elections.”
Meanwhile some clubs have raised the issue of the non-active clubs from South Goa finding their way in the list of clubs which are part of the electoral college which will elect the president and the Executive Committee.
“All clubs that are affiliated and have been active are given the voting rights by Hockey India and Goans Hockey plays no role in rejecting or accepting or recognising or recognising any member unit. Members have contributed their time and finances in promoting hockey. Quizzes were conducted for schools on Dhyan Chand's birthday last August and on Olympic Day. Diet camps were organised at schools to promote hockey and train young players. Also, we had exhibition matches and several inter-south school 5-a-side tournaments. Sticks and kits were distributed to schools in South Goa. Sanguem Sports Club had a massive boys versus girls match,” he added.
Incidentally a host of players and officials have pointed out that besides the two district associations “ North and South Goa “ a host of South Goa clubs have not participated in any hockey league and yet they have been allowed to continue as active clubs and will be eligible to vote at the elections.
Viegas said some of the clubs which have been de-recognised from North Goa have not paid their yearly fees. “Dues were not paid for years by the clubs mentioned. All South Goa Clubs have paid their dues in time. Goans Hockey does not deprive any club which has actively participated in Annual Body Meetings and participated in Annual Body Meetings and paid their dues,” Viegas said, while stating that Goans Hockey is conducting the State Championship every year in six categories.
Some of the clubs which have not participated in the state championships according to officials are Hockey North Goa, Hockey South Goa, Aquem Baixo Socio Cultural Association, Navelim Hockey Club, Bambina Recreational Club, Innovation Socio Cultural Sports Club, Integrated Welfare Development Trust, Maina Hockey Club, Majorda Hockey Club and Sanguem Cultural and Sports Club.
Most of the "so called inactive clubs" have links to executive committee members and also points to shades of family raj of Farrel Furtado e Gracias, her sister Nelly Furtado e Rodrigues and Farrel’s husband, Elvis Alemida. Farrel’s family controls four clubs directly in South Goa. Aquem Baixo Socio Cultural Association is headed by Farrel, Innovation Socio Cultural Sports Club by Farrel’s husband, Integrated Goa Welfare Development Trust and Hockey South Goa, both by Farrel’s sister Nelly. Bambina Recreational Club is headed by Goan Hockey treasurer Valanka D’Souza and Sanguem Cultural and Sports Club is a club where Goans Hockey president Costao Xavier Marquis is the general secretary.
