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One of the current MCA members whose term has long expired and who is 70-plus, still continues to hold office, while another is a government servant: both are sticking to their seats. Shrikant Tigdi was born in 1946, while Deepak Patil, is a government servant.
By Nadim Memon | Opening Doorz Editorial | February 20, 2018
The present Managing Committee of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) completed two years in June 2017. The rule is to call for elections before the expiry of their term. MCA Committee sent a letter to all members in September/October 2017, (only after some members raised their voice since there was no sign of any election process happening) which stated that elections would be held in November 2017. But till date, nothing has happened on this front.
The MCA members are now citing the Lodha Committee report for not having elections, which is strange and misleading!
On the contrary, one of the recommendations of the Lodha Panel was that persons above 70 years of age should not be office-bearers in the BCCI or its affiliated state association. Also, no member can be a Minister or Government servant. President Sharad Pawar stepped down from the MCA after this (over 70 years of age), along with Vice President Dilip Vengsarkar (internal conflict of interest rules).
One of the current MCA members whose term has long expired and who is 70-plus, still continues to hold office, while another is a government servant: both are sticking to their seats. Shrikant Tigdi was born in 1946, while Deepak Patil, is a government servant working in the Mumbai police force.
Given this scenario, the current MCA Committee have no authority or power to conduct any financial dealings within the MCA or deal in any manner with any leagues or tournaments, as per the constitution of the MCA.
It is plain to see that there are some power hungry members with vested interest who do not want to call for elections which are rightly due.
It must be recalled here that on July 12, 2016, Justice (retired) AP Shah, the BCCI ombudsman, had ruled that Pravin Amre was in violation of the BCCI’s internal conflict-of-interest rules by virtue of his role as assistant coach of the Delhi Daredevils while also being a Managing Committee member of the Mumbai Cricket Association.
Shah had stated in his order that Amre couldn’t continue holding both positions during the next edition of the IPL, and directed the BCCI to initiate “appropriate action against him in accordance with the guidelines”.
Amre gave his resignation but still continues in the Managing Committee!
Now comes the shocker: MCA is dealing with the inaugural Mumbai Premier League under the guidance of Ashish Shelar (President not by election) but nominated by his own committee. MCA has given charge of the MPL to IIFL, Probability Sport and Wizcraft to run this prestigious and lucrative Mumbai T-20 league. It must be noted here that this Consortium has nothing to do with cricket. On the contrary, they will earn roughly around Rs 50 crores while the MCA gets only the ‘bails’ in hands!
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been running the Indian Premier League (IPL) and in turn ensuring that the Board’s coffers are filled. MCA, however, are working against their own interest whilst allowing a third party to make money instead of enabling their treasury to be healthier.
Here are some details:
One can imagine the volume of loss for the MCA if this tournament runs the way it is being planned by this present set-up. MCA should itself organize the tournament and earn money for the Association.
What is even more shocking is that the Members of the MCA have not been informed about the MPL T-20 League.
Wake up Mumbai cricketers!
(Nadim Memon is a man of the maidans. He is a curator, a sports lover, a cricketer, a footballer and more, importantly a fierce protector of maidans for the younger generation!)
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I love Mumbai cricket