Poona District Hockey Association formed to revive hockey

Pune, May 9 (UNI) A group of former national and university-level hockey players here have come together to form the Poona District Hockey Association (PDHA) which is aimed at giving a fillip to the game.

While anouncing the formation of PDHA, its president Benjamin Boodle told reporters here today that the Association will work towards rejuvenating hockey.

Incidentally, Pune, and particularly the cantonment township of Khadki here, has produced Olympians and international players like Joe Philip, Babu Nimal, Perumal, Dhanraj Pillay, Vikram Pillay, Diago D'Souza, and Aspat.

Mr Boodle clarified that the Association was formed solely to foster the interests of hockey and was not intended to compete with the existing bodies.

Mr Boodle pointed out that since the year 2000, Maharashtra hockey has not fared well in national championships. The PDHA hopes to reverse this trend.

Honorary secretary of the PDHA, Devdas Martin, informed that the Association has submitted an application, seeking affiliation with the Maharashtra Hockey Association (MHA). However, the reply is still awaited.

The MHA is expected to summon the annual general body meeting and the elections on June 1 when it is likely to take the decision regarding the PDHA's affiliation.

The PDHA has been registered with the Joint Charity Commissioner, Mr Martin informed.

The first meeting of the PDHA was held on April 10 and was attended by representatives of 17 local clubs who put forth their suggestions to revive the game, Mr Boodle said.

UNI