Ranchi, July 21: Bhola Nath Singh was elected unopposed as the President of Hockey Jharkhand for a fourth consecutive term during the association’s 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Ranchi on Sunday.
The election also saw Manoj Kumar Prasad chosen as General Secretary and Asrita Lakra elected as Treasurer, both without opposition.
Singh’s re-election comes amid an ongoing debate over the eligibility of office-bearers under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
The legislation places limits on the number of consecutive terms an individual may serve in key administrative positions.
However, Hockey Jharkhand maintained that Singh’s continuation in office is consistent with the provisions of the National Sports Policy 2025, citing his role in an international hockey body.
Apart from serving as Hockey India Secretary General, Singh has held the position of Vice-President of the Asian Hockey Federation since 2023.
Association officials said his international responsibilities were taken into account while approving his nomination for another term.
The election follows objections raised by a group of former international and national hockey players, who recently submitted a legal notice to Hockey Jharkhand and the Jharkhand Sports Department, questioning the validity of the election process.
Some of the former players also staged a peaceful demonstration outside the AGM venue to express their concerns.
During the meeting, members approved the association’s annual accounts and activity reports for the 2025–26 financial year.
Hockey Jharkhand also announced the distribution of sports kits valued at ₹65,000 each to 20 district units as part of its programme to strengthen grassroots hockey and improve sporting infrastructure across the state.
The outcome of the legal objections, if pursued further, is expected to determine whether the election process and the fourth consecutive term will face judicial scrutiny.
