Bhopal Hockey Association (BHA) has claimed the rights to organise the Obedullah Khan Gold Cup and alleged that the present conduct of the tournament termed as Obedullah Khan Heritage cup is illegal as the Government has no right to conduct any hockey tournament associated with Obedullah Khan.
The place of the tournament Aishbagh stadium is the property of Bhopal Hockey Association (BHA) and no one else has the right to organise a sports event at the venue. The Obedullah Khan Heritage Cup thus organised can be considered illegal according to the BHA, I Rehman of the BHA said.
BHA has submitted a memorandum to Principal Secretary of MP Sports and Youth Welfare, Secretary, Collector Bhopal, Mayor Bhopal and Commissioner of Municipal Corporation Bhopal on March 26. The trophy of the first runner up has not yet been returned to BHA by the Sports Department which exhibits intention of the department. The association has submitted letters in this regard several times, he added.
Rehman further alleged that there were gross irregularities in 65th and 65th tournaments. Despite having sought information in this regard, the BHA has not been intimated as what was the expenditure in both the previous tournaments.
In the 66th Obedullah Khan Gold Cup Chief Minister announced that the winning team will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh, first runner up will get a cash prize of Rs 21 lakh and third runner up will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh.
BHA further stated that permission for the 67th Obedullah Khan Gold Cup was given by the Governor, but government deliberately did not return the Cup and also they did not take care of the arrangements nearby areas of the Aishbagh stadium.