Item No. 95-98 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL MC(WP(C) No. 212 of 2025 with MC(WP(C) No. 160 of 2025 with MC(WP(C) No. 183 of 2025 with WP(C) No. 163 of 2025 Manipur Hockey …..Petitioner/s - Versus – State of Manipur & Anr. .... Respondent/s BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA Order 28.03.2025 [1] Heard Mr. H. Prabirkumar, learned counsel for the applicant/writ petitioner, Mr. S. Nepolean, learned G.A. assisted by Mrs. RK. Emily, learned Dy. G.A. for the State respondent. Also present Mr. M. Hemchandra, learned senior counsel along with Mr. M. Rendy, learned counsel for the applicant in MC(WP(C) No. 183 of 2025. [2] Mr. H. Prabirkumar, learned counsel for the writ petitioner, prays for two weeks’ time for filing objection to the application for impleadment. [3] Mr. H. Prabirkumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, also filed an application being MC(WP(C) No. 212 of 2025 for passing an interim order allowing the hockey players to represent State of Manipur for upcoming tournament organize by Hockey India. [4] The application is with respect to 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 to be held at Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh (UP) from 04.04.2025 to 15.04.2025. [5] Mr. S. Nepolean, learned G.A. for the State respondent, draws the attention of this Court to the order dated 06.03.2025 passed by this Court in connected matter i.e. MC(WP(C) No. 177 of 2025 [Ref: WP(C) No. 163 of 2025] wherein while allowing for sending team to participate in 15th National Hocky League, 2025 at Ranchi, Jharkhand, it was observed that “It is made clear that in case of any future tournament, any application in this regard shall have a comprehensive details about the proposed team to be sent.” Learned G.A. submits that notification for 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 was received on 08.03.2025. However, application for sending team was filed only on 20.03.2025 without any comprehensive details as mentioned in the earlier order dated 06.03.2025. [6] Mr. S. Nepolean, learned G.A., submits that in terms of the order dated 06.03.2025 for participation of hockey team from Manipur in any specific tournament, it will be better that department of Youth Affairs and Sports be given the responsibility of selecting the players by conducting selection trial during the pendency of the writ petition. Learned G.A. refers to the contents of para 6, 9 & 10 of the order dated 06.03.2025 in this regard. [7] The petitioner also filed an additional affidavit dated 26.03.2025 whereby the names of 18 players have already been submitted to the Hockey India as a team from Manipur. It is submitted that without a direction from this Court, there will be uncertainty in participating by this team in the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025. [8] This Court has perused the materials on record. [9] By the present application, a comprehensive list was not submitted by the applicant. However, by way of additional affidavit dated 26.03.2025, a list of 18 players shortlisted from 35 players has been submitted to Hockey India for representing the State of Manipur for the proposed tournament. [10] In the interest of game, 18 players shown at Annexure- T/8 are allowed to participate in 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 to be held at Jhansi, UP from 04.03.2025 to 15.04.2025 as team from Manipur. [11] This order is passed in the interest of game and particularly for the players representing Manipur to participate in the said tournament and it is without prejudice to the rights of the parties. [12] It is observed that in future any such application for sending the team should have a comprehensive method of selection for all eligible players. [13] With this observation, MC(WP(C) No. 212 of 2025 is disposed of. [14] List the remaining cases on 25.04.2025. Pleadings may be complete on or before the next date. [15] Furnish a copy of this order to the learned counsel appearing for the parties. JUDGE Kh. Joshua Maring KH. JOSHUA MARING Digitally signed by KH. JOSHUA MARING Date: 2025.03.28 17:03:03 +05'30'