Nagpur: The battle over the custody of Vidarbha Hockey Association’s (VHA) Amravati Road ground has now moved to divisional commissioner. The district administration on Aug 5 issued a notice to take possession of the 3.80-acre ground at 11am on Aug 13. VHA has challenged the collector’s July 17 order cancelling the lease of its ground and sought a stay from commissioner’s office. Commissioner is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday.The Aug 5 notice issued by Nazul tehsildar states that possession proceedings will be carried out pursuant to collector’s July 17 order. It asks VHA or its authorised representative to remain present and hand over possession, failing which the administration would proceed as per rules.As per collector’s July 17 order, the action followed District Sports Officer’s inspection and examination of compliance with conditions of the govt lease. The order records concerns over maintenance and facilities at the ground, including the playing surface, drainage, and basic amenities. It also records non-payment of annual lease rent and raises the issue of VHA’s recognition/affiliation while examining compliance with the lease conditions.VHA, however, disputed these findings in its appeal before commissioner under Section 247 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966. The association has sought quashing of the July 17 order, continuation of its lease and a stay restraining the administration from taking possession of the ground while the appeal is pending.On the rent issue, VHA stated in its appeal that the annual lease rent is Rs3, that payments were made till 2010 and that no subsequent demand notice or bill was issued by revenue authorities. It has also expressed willingness to deposit any amount lawfully found due.VHA is fighting another legal battle in the high court over its recognition. During a recent hearing on July 9, Nagpur bench of Bombay high court directed the state Directorate of Sports and Youth Services to decide within three weeks VHA’s May 9, 2025, representation concerning its recognition for sports quota concessions, grace marks and other benefits.VHA also cited this HC direction in its appeal, contending that the recognition-related issue was still pending before the competent authority when collector passed the July 17 order.Meanwhile, VHA coordinator Krishna Joshi has sought chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s intervention. In a letter to CM, Joshi states, “As you are our patron-in-chief of the VHA, I request that a decision regarding the ground be taken only after convening a meeting and hearing the views of all concerned parties.” Joshi added that the ground was vital for practice, competitions and the future of hockey players across Vidarbha’s 11 districts.
