Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has stayed the conduct of all league matches of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). The court will hear the matter again on September 5.
The High Court said that none from the cricketing body had appeared before the court even after the writ petition was adjourned more than six times to give an opportunity to the cricket body.
The High Court gave the directive following a petition filed by Charminar Cricket Club (CCC) promoter Mahbub, who challenged the placement of the teams.
Deccan Chronicle had reported how the HCA had added 14 teams to the A1 Division three-day league, against the decision taken by the apex council during the general body meeting on February 18.
The move was vehemently opposed by stakeholders for inducting poorly-rated teams to play in the elite leagues, amid allegations that it was yet another exercise to make money.
CCC’s Mahbub told Deccan Chronicle that his team, which produced international cricketers like Mohd Siraj, always stood in third or fourth position in the three-day league table. Despite this, the HCA had demoted the club to the two-day league, he said
HCA former secretary Shesh Narayan charged that the promotions and demotions were made according to whims and fancies of some persons, and with an ulterior motive of commercial exploitation.
“The current rate for taking a three-day team on lease is around Rs 10 lakh per season. The managers in turn collect over Rs 40 lakh from players at Rs 2 lakh each for a slot,” he said.
Demanding the intervention of the Telangana government in the HCA affairs in the public interest, Shesh Narayan said a thorough cleansing of the HCA was required to save cricket in the state.
Shesh Narayan said that the aspiration of young cricketers to quality cricket, and seeking a fair opportunity, had been dashed by a few members of the apex council, he alleged.
ICA members R.A Swaroop and Vanka Roma Singh, who were members of the HCA apex council, charged that the cricket in the state had been ruined because of three persons in HCA along with the CEO.
“Though there are nine members, the three members along with the CEO enjoy financial signing powers and take all the decisions.
The CEO, who is appointed by virtue of the SC-appointed committee and plays a big role to play, is the main culprit. Though he is well paid by the HCA, the CEO colluded with the president, secretary and treasurer. All the mismanagement, financial irregularities and the present state of cricket in Telangana is because of them,” they alleged.
