Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Hockey Jharkhand elected its new executive committee for the 2026–2030 term during its 13th Annual General Meeting held at the Jaipal Singh Munda International Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. All 11 office-bearers were elected unopposed.
Bholanath Singh was re-elected as president for a fourth consecutive term, while Manoj Kumar Prasad (Manoj Konbegi) was elected general secretary and Asrita Lakra was chosen as treasurer. The 11-member executive committee includes representatives from all five divisions of Jharkhand.
The annual meeting was attended by representatives from all 24 district units and members of the state athletes’ committee. Delegates approved the organisation’s annual report, audited accounts, financial statements, and plans for hosting state and national hockey championships in the 2026–27 season.
The election process was conducted under the supervision of returning officer Anjani Kumar Mishra, a retired IAS officer authorised by Hockey India. Since only one nomination was filed for each of the 11 posts, all candidates were declared elected unopposed.
As part of its grassroots development initiative, Hockey Jharkhand distributed sports kits worth Rs 65,000 each to 20 district associations that had not previously received assistance. The kits include hockey sticks and balls aimed at supporting young players in financially constrained districts.
Outgoing general secretary Vijay Shankar Singh highlighted the organisation’s achievements over the past 12 years, stating that 35 players from Jharkhand had represented India during the period. He added that 15 players are currently part of various Indian national teams, while another 20 are training in national camps.
Addressing the gathering, newly re-elected president Bholanath Singh thanked district associations for their continued confidence and pledged to further strengthen hockey development across the state. He said Hockey Jharkhand would continue focusing on transparent player selection, grassroots promotion and expanding the sport across all districts.
