SPYC tourney in jeopardy as BHA teams pull out

The above clubs have responded to a BHA directive, dated April 11, to its clubs participating in the SPYC tournament. BHA advised clubs to pull out of the tournament because the organisers had not adhered to its conditions while securing affiliation for the event.

The bone of contention is the subject of non-BHA clubs8217; involvement in the SPYC tournament which commenced last Saturday at the St Stanislaus High School Ground. As many as five such clubs are part of the draw involving 18 teams. These are: Orlem XI, Khar Gymkhana, Ave Maria, Schools XI and Western Railway.

A meeting held by the BHA committee today reiterated the city8217;s governing body8217;s stand on the issue.

Passi said:8220;Clubs affiliated to the BHA must pull out of the tournament because the organisers have not fulfilled their agreement in debarring non-BHA clubs from participating.8221;

He added, 8220;That will also apply to BHA umpires set to officiate in the tourney.8221;

According to Passi, BHA clubs failing to withdraw from the SPYC tournament face action, most likely to be suspension.

BHA8217;s reinforced stand is a potential blow to the success of the tournament this year with as many as 13 BHA-affiliated teams in the fray.

It also blew hopes of a compromise that seemed likely last evening when Passi assured of a 8220;fair solution8221; to the problem.

The SPYC tournament has been held for three decades and is a very popular event in Bandra, a hockey nursery in the city.

The BHA claims to have rendered support to the event by providing umpires free of charge year after year.

8220;This year was no different,8221; said Satinder Singh Walia, chairman of the umpires hockey board of the BHA.

8220;In a meeting with Alex D8217;Souza, SPYCorganising secretary, we assured of every possible assistance on the matter of umpires,8221; Walia explained.

The BHA granted affiliation to the tournament on written request but firmly laid down conditions for conduct of the event.

That included, in the main, the admission of only BHA-affiliated clubs and the use of solely BHA umpires.

There was no further dialogue after that between BHA and D8217;Souza. Instead, an unsigned fax message bearing the SPYC stamp providing details of the draw was received by the BHA on April 11.

It brought to light that five non-affiliated clubs were indeed participating in the tournament. It prompted Passi to send a directive to each of the concerned clubs that very evening.

The BHA contend that if organisers seek its affiliation for a tournament it is imperative that entry is restricted to clubs under its control. It would enable the Association to exercise control over its member clubs and players especially in case of misbehavior and violence.

The BHA also says theyhave been particularly irked on contradiction practised by the SPYC on the matter of entries. It was revealed by the BHA that Mumbai Port Trust, an affiliated club was refused entry while at the same time five non-affiliated clubs were given entries, directly flouting conditions.

The BHA also affirmed its strengthened stand on its teams and players taking part in parallel leagues in the city.

Bakshi explained, 8220;We had hoped that these teams and players would come to their senses and return to the fold. We therefore delayed action on the matter.8221;

8220;However, a month ago, we advised teams to keep away from tournaments not under the auspices of BHA,8221; Bakshi added.