CoA to appoint observers for newly-affiliated state bodies

In an email -- a copy of which is with Sportstar -- sent to the associations (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Bihar, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand and Pondicherry) the CoA has made it clear that the observers will have specific roles.

According to the email forwarded to all the newly affiliated state associations, the observer will need to “observe and guide the cricket operations team in formulating local cricket activities.”

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) will appoint observers for 10 newly-affiliated State Cricket Associations (SCA) to oversee the functioning of the associations and also help them with cricket-related matters.

In an email -- a copy of which is with  Sportstar  -- sent to the associations (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Bihar, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand and Pondicherry) the CoA has made it clear that the observers will have specific roles.

According to the email, the observer will need to “observe and guide the cricket operations team in formulating local cricket activities.”

He will also “act as an observer in all the selection committee meetings” and assist the state association in “preparing youth development program for boys and girls.”

READ: Kohli, Pant, Dhawan named in Delhi probables

One of the major roles for the observer will be to "act as a facilitator between the SCA and BCCI cricket operations team" and “between the SCA and BCCI finance observer.”

The CoA, however, did not name any observers for the role, but insisted that appointments will be made shortly. While the CoA’s decision hasn’t gone well for some of the associations, most of them have welcomed the move. “We have been asking the BCCI to send us someone who can help us with finance related matters and since we are a newly-affiliated member, it is better that we follow the guidelines set by the CoA,” one of the secretaries at a state association in Northeast, said.

However, another official feared that with the appointment of an observer, it is possible that the associations won’t have any decision-making powers. “The BCCI is aware of the situation and we can only hope that things are done keeping everything in mind and in the best interest of the game,” the official said.