Red-carded Muhammad Arslan Qadir serves two-match ban for elbowing German player

Unbecoming behavior can never have a rightful place on the hockey pitch. Exuding on-field aggression is one thing and getting physical is quite another.

Pakistan junior men’s hockey team fullback Muhammad Arslan Qadir cut a sorry figure when he elbowed a German player during their Pool A match which the Greenshirts lost 1-6.

Qadir, who was red-carded for his act, soon incurred the wrath of the world governing body. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) swung into action and slapped a two-match ban on the Pakistan defender.

It is because of this two-match ban that Pakistan missed his services during their last league tie against Belgium which they drew 2-2. He has violated the FIH Code of Conduct, committing a Level 2 offence which relates to a ‘physical assault, without injury, of another player’.

Qadir will miss his team's play-off match to be played on December 12.

Pictures Courtesy FIH 

VMC seals Baroda District Hockey Association office for non-payment of taxes

The Baroda District Hockey Association (BDHA) is going through a tough time. The association seems to be on a collision course with Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) – the latter sealed its administrative office recently for non-payment of taxes amounting to over Rs 15 lakh.

The Baroda District Hockey Association’s non-payment of taxes includes dues towards property taxes and water connections.

The Baroda District Hockey Association – a non-commercial organization – is now looking up to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation to offer tax exemption or give them some stipulated grant.

The Baroda District Hockey Association (BDHA) does not get any government grant for running its affairs and functions with the aim to train players and promoting the national sport of India.

The BDHC conducts its day-to-day affairs through donations of well-wishers and will not in a position to pay up such heavy taxes.

The BDHA ground has been given to the association on a lease by the erstwhile rulers of Baroda state.

The association has put in a request to Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner Manish Bharadwaj and is hopeful of a favourable settlement with regards to payment of taxes.