MHAL need not follow Natl. Sports Code, says secretary Rathor

Mumbai Hockey Association Limited (MHAL), affiliated to Hockey India which is governed by the National Sports Development Code (NSCI), 2011, does not have to follow it, their newly elected secretary claimed here today.
"We are only an associate member of HI without voting rights. We also don't get any financial grant from the Maharashtra government. So we are not under the Sports Code," newly elected secretary Ram Singh Rathor told PTI.
Rathor was re-elected as secretary of MHAL by a thumping margin, along with president Mangha Singh Bakshi whose ruling group trounced the rival Olympians' group, led by Gurbax Singh Grewal, in yesterday's hustings to retain control of the body for the next three years.

Rathor said MHAL did receive a letter from the state government's youth and sports department, advising them ahead of the elections that they were not following the NSCI, 2011, and that they would be responsible for any consequences of this decision.
Rathor had replied to the letter saying that the NSCI did not apply to them.
"We further clarify that we are Associate Member of National Governing body, Hockey India, without the voting right. The constitution of Hockey India which was amended on 30th May, 2015 clearly mention that Associate Members are governed by their own constitution," Rathor said in his reply.

"Till date neither Hockey India nor Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports nor Government of India or State of Maharashtra has called upon us to apply the National Development Code, 2011. Under the circumstances it is not mandatory for us to accept the code," he added.
Ahead of the elections, the Olympians' panel had pointed out the violation of the code by their rivals with Bal Govind Chokhani - who was re-elected as treasurer, seeking his fifth term, which was in violation of the Code.
As per the NSCI, a treasurer may serve a maximum of two successive terms of four years each after which a minimum cooling off period of four years will apply to seek fresh election to the post.