Confusion in SCA over the position of Niranjan Shah in administration

Former Indian cricketer and one of the close associates in Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA), Karsan Ghavri, has expressed his concerns over the mismanaged state of the cricket association in Gujarat. He has raised his concerns over the continual employment of Niranjan Shah in the administration of SCA. As per the reports in ESPNcricinfo, Ghavri wrote to the Committee of Administrators (CoA), wherein he expressed his concerns over the same.

As per the recommendations made by the Lodha Panel, there is an age cap put on the office bearers. Also, an office bearer can hold his position for a decade at most. Niranjan Shah, however, has violated both these norms. He is 73 years old, well over the offered age limit. Also, he has been in the SCA administration for almost 4 decades. Albeit he resigned from his position, the SCA offered him the position of CEO yet again on May 27. Shah, however, has denied accepting the request.

“If you see the FAQs in the Lodha Committee recommendations, they don’t bar anybody from being employed at the association. I haven’t yet decided on the offer, but it is not something I rule out. If the association needs my guidance, I will consider it,” quoted Niranjan Shah.

Ghavri’s note

In the meantime, Ghavri feels that this totally not the way things should run in the SCA. In the meeting scheduled for September 2, Ghavri hopes that proper appointments would be made. He noted that the officials are trying to find a loophole in the new system and make their way through. He feels that by doing so, the entire purpose of Supreme Court and the Lodha Panel will be violated. The CoA is yet to make a call on the same.

“This is not just a case of SCA finding a loophole in the new change order but it is an act that makes a mockery of the Supreme Court order. If the SC order had intended to give the players a voice in administration, this SCA move has promptly managed to stifle it,” he wrote to the CoA.

“I plead to the CoA to put in place a robust and fair process by which independent and proactive players’ bodies be formed around the country. If it is left to the state unit to recognise the players’ body of their choice, the SC order’s purpose of giving cricketers a say in administration will be defeated,” he quoted further.