Pune: National game, hockey became the latest victim of poor monsoon, as the annual Devdas Shetty memorial and the Monsoon league hockey tournaments have been postponed definitely.
The second edition of Devdas Shetty Memorial and the 4th Monsoon League was to kick off from July 15, but due to shortage of water, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation who own the Major Dyanchand stadium in Nehru Nagar, Pimpri have asked the organisers to hold on to the championship.
"This is for the first time our Monsoon League which is being organised by the four consecutive year and second edition of Devdas Shetty Memorial has to be postponed," said Shridharan Thamba, the organising secretary of the championship.
In a letter to the organisers, PCMC authorities have stated that due to lack of water we (PCMC) will be obliged if the said tournament can be postponed and wait for the good rains.
This championship is being organised by Maharashtra Hockey Umpire Association league-cum-knockout basis under the Poona District Hockey League.
" We have got a good response and now we have to wait for the nod from PCMC to start this tournament," said Tamba.
"We conduct three matches on any given day, and we need to water the surface after each match, which according to them is not available," said Tamba
There is a water scarcity and after we cut off water to all the swimming pools in this vicinity, we cannot provide water as per their demand. We understand this the surface at the stadium needs more water," said Tanaji Shinde, the PCMC Additional Commissioner.
We will be happy if they postpone the tournament and go ahead when their is sufficient water," added Shinde.
"They can organise the tournament but with less water. And only we have sufficient we can meet to their demands," said Shinde.
Major Dhyanchand stadium was the first astro surface in the Pune district and has witnessed many national and some international matches in the past. The District Sports Office events. Inter-school and colleges events for the past many years.
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