MARGAO
Hockey South Goa President Abhay Bhamkikar, a chess player is likely to contest for the presidential post and will have a smooth ride to the presidential post with five south Goa clubs along with Hockey South Goa likely to throw their weight behind him.
Of the list declared by the Returning officer, only two clubs from North Goa will be eligible to vote besides the Hockey North Goa representatives Warren Dias and Candida Fernandes.
Of the two North Goa based clubs, Goa Mavericks Sports Club will have Atul Pai Kane and Orlene D’souza as representatives and Keegan Cleyon and Pearl D’Souza making their presence in Margao on behalf of Don Bosco Sports and Cultural Youth Club.
It was not known as to whether he will be elected unopposed or someone will file his nominations to challenge the candidature of Bhamkikar, a chess player who has not played any hockey in his entire life.
A section of players are up in arms against the move saying why Goans Hockey have to turn to a chess player when there are several qualified people among the hockey fraternity who are well qualified administratively and knowledge wise about how the game has to progress and accordingly set in motion the improvement of the game in the state.
“Why should a chess player become the president of Goans Hockey, ask him to go to the chess association and become the president there and promote and develop talent there,” said Kevin Dias, a young hockey player from South Goa.
Close look at the clubs’ part of Electoral college for the elections
A cursory glance at the South Goa clubs reveals some interesting facts with three from the Farrel Furtado E Gracias family eligible to vote at the elections.
Farrel along with husband Elvis Gracias will be representing Innovation Socio Cultural Sports, sister Nelly Furtado e Rodrigues will be representing Hockey South Goa along with Bhamaikar.
Former player Inacio Fernandes, a seaman by profession and hailing from Majorda, who accompanied the Goa junior girls’ team as a coach at the recently Hockey India national championship held at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, will be representing Maina Hockey Club along with Juliana Fernandes.
Of the other South Goa based clubs, Beny Viegas, the former retired banker who has been in the hockey administration and other matters for last four decades will vote on behalf of Goa Hockey promoters along with Shaban Aliketti, who accompanied the Goa junior girls’ team at the recently held Hockey India national championship in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.
The husband-wife combination of Laxman Y Prabhudessai, hailing from Borim and working at Damodar English High School Gudi Paroda will represent Star Sports and Cultural Club.
The list of clubs from South Goa is complete with names of Sanjeev Naik and Somaya Benkipur, cleared to vote on behalf of Integrated Goa Welfare and Development Trust.
