Mapusa, Goa: A major controversy disrupted the junior match of the Goans Hockey Tournament between Don Bosco S.C. and Crozen Society Bastora, leading to an unusual delay of nearly two and a half hours on match day.
The match, officially scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM as per the tournament draw and FIH (International Hockey Federation) rules, failed to start on time after the coach of Crozen Society Bastora refused to field his team. The refusal was reportedly linked to the suspension of certain players from their side.
Sources indicate that Don Bosco S.C. was fully prepared and present on the field, awaiting a decision from the umpire. However, instead of enforcing the rules or proceeding with a decision, the umpire remained in prolonged discussions with the Crozen Society coach, contributing significantly to the delay.
The situation was further complicated when Crozen Society Bastora officials stated that their team manager had not yet arrived, prompting the umpire to wait before taking any action regarding the commencement of the match.
According to standard FIH regulations, decisions in such circumstances should be jointly taken by the umpire, technical officials, and the tournament organizers. The extended delay has raised concerns among spectators and participating teams regarding adherence to official procedures.
Adding to the controversy, it was noted that two players from Crozen Society Bastora—Mohan and Oliver—who were reportedly under suspension for involvement in a previous altercation, had participated in an earlier match. This has sparked further questions about rule enforcement and disciplinary consistency within the tournament.
Criticism has also been directed toward the Crozen Society management. Concerns were raised about the handling of the situation, with particular attention on the team’s manager, Felix, whose understanding of tournament regulations has been questioned despite his experience in competitive hockey.
The incident has highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of rules and clearer decision-making protocols to avoid similar disruptions in future matches.
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