Srinagar: Finding no scope to prick holes in the working style and functioning of the strong three-member Sub-Committee nominated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to run the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) on the directions of J&K High Court, the opposition, which has lost its limelight, is leaving no stone unturned in working a strategy to show Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) in poor light, Say most of the cricket lovers in both Srinagar and Jammu.
“Not digesting the success of the energetic troika at the helm of affairs in JKCA, some people and even a few sponsored organizations are hell-bent upon stealing someone’s thunder for their personal gains and for their vested interests”, said a cricketing fan in Srinagar, adding that “shift of thick and fast in JKCA and the efforts to prioritize professionalism, promote cricket culture, streamline the jaundiced system and deal with the players and officials on the basis of merit”.
“The people who were in limelight in JKCA and have lost that because of their misdoings, ill intentions, and nefarious designs, are burning mid-night oil in sponsoring people for tarnishing the image of the present governing body of JKCA,” said a cricketer in Jammu representing J&K Ranji trophy for last several years.
“The JKCA has recommended the much-awaited Lodha Recommendations in toto and constituted the all-important Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC),”, said a cricketer from Kashmir, adding therein that “ given the mandate of the JKCA Sub-Committee, the status of the CAC members, the utilization of funds by JKCA, and reputation of the member remains unchallenged and unquestoioned”.
A senior couch associated with JKCA said that, “When someone is in limelight and that sheen is lost. They are desperate to do any damn thing to get that lost sheen back. That is why the people who have been shown the door by the Court, are desperate to tarnish others’ images to be in the power again,’ adding that “questioning the credibility of the people at the helm of affairs is simply to cry for the moon”.
He said the Sub-Committee had constituted a much-awaited Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), the constitution of which was unquestionably an extraordinary step in the history of JKCA.
“What was more appreciable was the fact that the CAC was the amalgam of three former J&K cricketers of great repute including Ashwani Gupta, Abdul Qayoom, and Dr Roopali Slathia”he added.
Most of the officials state that commercialism, which was at its peak earlier in JKCA, is getting a back seat and professionalism is gaining momentum in JKCA.
Quoting the example of CAC, a member whose credibility is being questioned, has led by an example as Under-23 Chief Selector, guiding J&K to create history, besides possessing a unique record as First Class Cricketer. “So, trying to tarnish his credibility is simply to red-rag a bull. Moreover, another CAC member has the reputation of being one of the leading pace bowlers North Zone has ever produced, besides possessing a great record as player and Coach, so opposing him for the sake of opposition is to flog a dead horse,” he said.
A senior working committee member of JKCA wishing anonymity said commenting on iconic cricketing personality (presently running the JKCA affairs) without knowing the facts is absurd rather meaningless.
“Interviews were held by the CAC for the posts of selectors and the support staff was undoubtedly a great step towards professionalism and a welcome step in running the JKCA affairs in a befitting manner,” he said.
The member said CAC appointed by the BCCI’s Sub Committee conducted the interviews of the candidates including top cricketers of Jammu & Kashmir. “This speaks volumes about running the affairs of JKCA,” he said.
Earlier, players and coaches were selected on the basis of favoritism and nepotism. Now such things or practices are being avoided, he said.
Another JKCA trainer said questioning the credibility and functioning of JKCA members is simply opposing things for the sake of opposition.
“Experts believe that this professional way of appointing selectors and support staff will surely serve a twin purpose of infusing confidence in them and making them answerable to the system,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that JKCA provided top-quality kits and gears to the players/teams, held interviews for selectors, examinations for appointing the office staff and introduced a contract system for the officials. Moreover, barring a pathetic show by the Under-19 boy’s team, the Under-19 girls, Under-25 boys, and Senior women performed very well, while Senior men performed reasonably well during the season.
The reason behind the qualification of the senior Women team for the knockout stage and good performance of some other teams, apart from healthy support, was that JKCA organized pre-tournament exposure tours for these teams.
Questioning on the mandate of the utilization of funds, when the same has been used on better quality gears and wears, exposure tours, the comfort of players and officials and promoting professionalism. “There is no way to question professional rather than indulging in senseless debates, he said.
