HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) Secretary, T. Seshnarayan, informed the 31 former cricketers who met the top brass of the association regarding their representation on the proposed Apex Council, that he would write to the BCCI to seek clarifications on the guidelines on the subject before taking a final call.
Some of the members who were present included former India leg-spinner M.V. Narasimha Rao and Hyderabad Ranji stars Vijay Mohan Raj and R.A. Swaroop who put forward their views.
With quite a few from the players group expressing doubts on the eligibility norms like whether only those who played Ranji or Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup (once a first-class tournament) or Vizzy Trophy were also eligible to be members, the HCA official felt it would be better off to get all such doubts cleared before moving ahead on this subject.
“Let me make it pretty clear. We are for the players’ involvement and giving constructive support to any measures taken with cricket and players as primary subjects of interest,” Seshnarayan said.
“There are some simple issues which can get complicated too as far as granting membership is concerned. For instance, if someone plays for Baroda in 50 Ranji games and comes back to his home State (Hyderabad), where does he want to be registered as a member — HCA or BCA,” Seshnarayan asked. “Or take the case of S. Badrinath (of Tamil Nadu) who led Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy last season. Is it not prudent to find out whether he would opt for HCA membership or prefer Tamil Nadu. There are many issues like this which need to be addressed.”
“Since none of us can interpret the Justice Lodha panel as per our convenience, it is always better to get a clear picture from the BCCI, which in turn will address the same to the Committee of Administrators. Once we get all contentious issues sorted out, we will definitely give the players the importance they deserve,” Seshnarayan said.
“Well, there were some voices of dissent about the recent move by the HCA to remove the existing panel of coaches. I told the players that we have never said that we were not going to recruit a fresh batch. Any of those who attended today’s meeting can also apply for the same and a panel will decide on the eligibility and appoint the deserving.”
“I also appealed to the players not to question the integrity of the Cricket Development Committee comprising V.V.S. Laxman and S.L. Venkatapathi Raju and former India women’s captain Purnima Rau. We are here to give a new direction and image to the sport. Let us all work together if we are genuinely interested if these are the core issues to be addressed,” Seshnarayan concluded.
On Friday, women’s cricketers will be meeting the HCA officials with the same agenda — membership in the association.
