Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly on Thursday officially took over as president of the cash-rich Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and promised to revamp the iconic Eden Gardens ground in three months.
Addressing the media, minutes after his unanimous election to the top post at a Special General Meeting (SGM), Ganguly declared his focus would be on maintaining transparency in his actions.
He also said there were plans to hold new tournaments and revitalise junior cricket.
“In the last 20 years I have travelled over the world and I know what kind of infrastructure is there in world class stadiums. I can guarantee you in the next 3 months Eden Gardens will have such infrastructure,” he said.
“We are already making an effort and the BCCI curator will fly in here in some time,” said Ganguly, who replaced Jagmohan Dalmiya, who died on September 20.
Completing the change of guard, Dalmiya's son Avishek was also elected unopposed as joint-secretary, a post held by Ganguly from July last year till recently before he resigned ahead of the SGM.
“Since there were no other nominations, their unanimous election was announced on the floor of the SGM, that got over in ten minutes,” said a CAB member present at the meeting.
Terming Avishek as the vice captain, Ganguly said his focus now will be to inject transparency within the association.
“We need to work as a team to make it transparent. I already had targets as a secretary, we have already thought of new tournaments and now we have to execute our plans well.”
Speaking about his feelings after taking over as the state cricket association president, Ganguly termed it a “new challenge”.
“It helps you when you have knowledge of the game, and me having had the little experience in administration will help me. Avishek has got to learn as well and our entire focus will be on the 22 yards and providing the best possible facilities.”
Describing Jagmohan Dalmiya as a father figure, Ganguly said he would try to take his work forward.
“As an administrator I have only seen Jagmohan Dalmiya closely. He was a father figure. It is a proud moment for me but I did not want to take this job up under such circumstances (referring to the passing away of Dalmiya). We will try and take his work forward.”
Ganguly said his team would also focus on making the Twenty20 world Cup final to be held at the Eden Gardens on April 3 next year a success.
He said the CAB needed remodelling. “Every infrastructure needs remodelling. Even your offices. The CAB is no exception.”
Comparing his CAB presidency with captaining a team, he said: “Back then I used to lead a squad of 15, now I have to deal with 121 (affiliated units).”
Ganguly also said CAB has plans to revitalise junior cricket where young kids will be groomed from the age of 8-9 so that they turn world beaters by 15.
“We have revitalised all cricket. Next up will be the juniors who will be groomed from the age of 8-9 so that by 15 they can turn world beaters. CAB has both the money and the infrastructure to do that.”
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