NEW DELHI: A new chapter begins in the clean-up operation of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Wednesday when Justice (Retd.) Vikramjit Sen takes over as Administrator.
Justice Sen’s appointment on January 30 came following the directions of the Delhi High Court, which took note of a report submitted by Justice (Retd.) Mukul Mudgal.
Justice Mudgal had been the original Administrator to check complaints about alleged irregularities in the DDCA. He was also asked to oversee the conduct of international matches, including a Test against South Africa and a few matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Justice Mudgal had submitted a scathing report to the High Court following his experience of dealing with the DDCA officials. He was particularly critical of the senior DDCA officials who created stumbling blocks in the smooth conduct of the matches.
With Justice Sen taking over as Administrator a section of the DDCA officials hopE things would improve at the Ferozeshah Kotla.
“Cricket has hardly been a priority at the DDCA. There is hope in Justice Sen taking charge. There is so much to be done at the Kotla,” said a veteran official associated with ddca for more than three decades.
According to a DDCA official, existing officials would have to vacate their rooms. “I am told the rooms are going to be locked on Wednesday and Justice Sen will give directions on how things are going to work at the Kotla.”
Justice Mudgal’S tenure was seen by many as a bright spot in cricket administration since he ensured accountability and transparency. He was assisted by a young team and old-timers admitted it was a pleasant phase that saw the cricketers enjoy their time at the Kotla.
Justice Sen is expected to ensure that the process of clean administration is set in motion. The officials are expecting a series of directions aimed at improving the state of affairs.
“We are praying that Justice Sen sets the benchmark for proper administration. There should be far more control on the way money is spent,” said a member of a prominent club.
The club members are hoping for a tight scrutiny of the electoral college. “The biggest challenge would be electoral reforms. Proxy system in voting has been the bane of the DDCA and we are happy this malady would soon be a thing of the past. There is also the need to check the working of the employees. Discipline has been a major failure,” lamented the veteran official.
Old-timers are looking forward to the Administrator taking steps to scrutinise the list of members.
Former cricketers Bishan Singh Bedi, Kirti Azad and Surender Khanna have been at the helm of a fight against alleged irregularities at the DDCA for a long time and the appointment of the Administrator is seen as a positive and encouraging step to set things right.
The veterans have been demanding a bigger role for players in the administration and there were indications of some top names likely to contest the elections to various posts.
A first in the history of DDCA.
