Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra Directorate of Sports and Youth Services to decide within three weeks the Vidarbha Hockey Association’s (VHA) long-pending representation seeking restoration of its recognition as an eligible sports association for sports quota concessions, grace marks and other govt benefits.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode disposed of the petition after noting that VHA’s detailed representation dated May 9, 2025, remained pending for more than a year. The court also directed the directorate to communicate its decision to the association within two weeks thereafter.The petition challenged the state govt notification dated April 7, 2025, which omitted VHA from the list of recognised sports associations whose players are eligible for sports quota concessions, grace marks and other benefits.Senior counsel Firdos Mirza, along with Anurag Mankar and Niranjan Jadhav, appeared for the VHA. The association contended that its exclusion from the recognised list was arbitrary and was made without issuing a show-cause notice or granting it an opportunity to be heard.As per VHA, the derecognition has jeopardised the future of hockey players across 11 Vidarbha districts by depriving them of sports quota concessions, grace marks and eligibility for govt employment.The association also argued that the subsequent notice issued by the collector proposing termination of the lease of its ground was a consequence of the derecognition.Established in 1962, VHA represents 11 district hockey associations in Vidarbha. The petition stated that although Hockey India restructured its membership in 2020, making VHA an “additional member unit” under Hockey Maharashtra, it continued to conduct tournaments and participate in domestic hockey activities. It maintained that the restructuring did not prohibit its functioning as a regional hockey body.#Key TakeawaysVHA’s representation seeking restoration of recognition has remained pending since May 9, 2025.Plea challenged the April 7, 2025, notification excluding VHA from recognised sports associations.VHA claims the derecognition affects players from 11 Vidarbha districts.It says players are being deprived of sports quota benefits, grace marks and govt job opportunities.HC directed the Maharashtra Sports Directorate to decide VHA’s recognition plea within three weeks.Authorities must communicate the decision to VHA within two weeks thereafter.
