E-Paper
Upset volleyball players gherao AU V-C
UPSET OVER first being called for the trials and post-selection being told that they will not be taken for the inter-university volleyball tourney scheduled to be held at Kurukshetra (Haryana), angry volleyball players of Allahabad University (AU) and its constituent colleges gheraoed the AU vice-chancellor Prof Rajen Harshe on Monday afternoon.
UPSET OVER first being called for the trials and post-selection being told that they will not be taken for the inter-university volleyball tourney scheduled to be held at Kurukshetra (Haryana), angry volleyball players of Allahabad University (AU) and its constituent colleges gheraoed the AU vice-chancellor Prof Rajen Harshe on Monday afternoon.
Upset players also cornered the Dean Students Welfare, Prof Jagdamba Singh and the proctor Prof HN Mishra on the issue.
The trouble started when the volleyball players were called for trials at the Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium at 10 am on Monday for selection of the AU team for the inter-university volleyball meet through notices in the newspapers and the trials were carried out on time. Players claimed that out of the 30-odd probables who reported at the stadium and appeared in the trials, around 14 were selected and the team announced.
However, later they were told that the team will not be going for the inter-university meet. This led to the angry players marching towards the VC's office.
The VC Prof Rajen Harshe then convened a meeting of the AU Grievance Committee which was attended by Dean Students Welfare, Prof Jagdamba Singh, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof GK Rai, Proctor Prof HN Mishra and the secretary of the AU Athletics Association Prof RK Upadhyay to discuss the issue—but all proved in vain.
Prof Upadhyay stuck to his stand that the players were "sub-standard" and thus not worth being taken for the competition. As a result, the players could not leave for Haryana and will now not be able to play their match scheduled for January 4.
While Prof Upadhyay could not be contacted for comments, DSW Prof Jagdamba Singh confirmed the grievance committee meeting on the issue. "During the meeting, Prof Upadhyay said that the players were not up to the mark.
And as for the players selected, he said, the team was for local tournament only and not for the inter-university meet."
