Having assumed charge in February to cleanse the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) following orders by the High Court, Justice Vikramajit Sen is all set to take some clinching decisions that would give cricket in the Capital hope and direction.
“I’m committed to complete the task entrusted by the Hon High Court,” Justice Sen told Sportstar on Wednesday.
Among the many issues confronting Justice Sen, the most vexing involves identifying the electorate for the election and drafting of the new Article of Association. It is the new constitution of the DDCA that has left many veterans staring at their bleak future in deciding the cricket affairs.
Abolition of the proxy system of voting would be welcome by many stalwarts who have known the way the DDCA had functioned since its inception in February 1936 when it was known as Certificate of Incorporation. Thanks to Justice Sen, the existing constitution, treated as a classified document thus far, has been uploaded on the official website of the DDCA.
“I believe in transparency and the effort here is to put things in perspective,” said Justice Sen. In keeping with his promise, he has also uploaded the proposed constitution on the website with some significant amendments.
“Proxy voting has been the bane of DDCA,” former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi had steadfastly maintained in his fight against the system prevalent at the DDCA which allowed some individuals to hang on to power for more than three decades.
The proposed amendment reads, “On a show of hands or on a ballot every Member present in person and entitled to vote shall have one vote, and upon a poll every member present shall have one vote. Vote may be given personally only. No proxy voting shall be allowed during the meetings.” This significant change in the voting process has caused consternation to many disgruntled elements at the Ferozeshah Kotla.
The new constitution also proposed the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to “ensure that DDCA woks to its maximum potential and administrative and financial aspects are looked into properly.” The CEO would be given a five-year contract along with a team of six managers, to be appointed by the Executive Committee, to assist him.
In a significant proposal that is likely to bring a halt to interference in selection matters and make sure the junior grade of cricket functions smoothly, the new constitution alters the composition of the Sports Working Committee (SWC) which had played havoc with the cricket structure for the last two decades or so.
The SWC, originally formed to conduct the local league, had assumed powers to recommend coaches and selectors for different panels. “In the process they would dictate and interfere in the selections. SWC was a monster created by the Executive Committee (EC). Credibility is what DDCA needs to develop on a priority,” said former India wicketkeeper Surender Khanna.
According to the proposed amendments, the CWC shall include five national/international men/women cricketers of repute, two members elected by affiliated clubs, two members of institutional clubs and a coach who needs approval of the BCCI. The earlier SWC was a ten-member committee of representatives of the affiliated clubs.
Promising speedy action, Justice Sen insisted, “The delay was caused by the attention needed for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the ongoing IPL (Indian Premier League). We are awaiting response from the members on the proposed Article of Association which shall be followed by the holding of the AGM (Annual General Meeting).”
Justice Sen also assured announcing of the report submitted by a three-member committee on the issue of Gautam Gambhir’s indiscipline and use of intemperate language against Delhi coach K. P. Bhaskar at the end of the Vijay Hazare leg in Bhubaneswar.
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