Former cricketers call on Kejriwal to clean DDCA mess

Former cricketers call on Kejriwal to clean DDCA mess: A host of former Indian cricketers, including ex-India skipper Bishan Singh Bedi, today called on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to clean up the mess in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).  The delegation included member of 1983 World Cup winning team Madan Lal and former Delhi captains Surinder Khanna and Akash Lal, who met Kejriwal at the Delhi Secretariat.

Kejriwal assured the former cricketers that his government is ready to set up an inquiry commission if needed to sort out the issues plaguing the DDCA. “We have discussed cricket related matters including shortcomings in Delhi cricket. He (Kejriwal) assured us that he would assist us in dealing with the shortcomings and would institute an inquiry commission, if required,” Bedi told reporters after the meeting.

“Issues related to team selection, corruption in DDCA were discussed. Everyone knows what sort of issues are plaguing DDCA and what exactly is going on there. I felt good that Arvind Ji gave us a patient hearing over issues such as over age people getting to play. He has assured of looking into it,” he added.

The former India spinner Bedi lost the last elections comprehensively because of the strong proxy culture prevalent in the association. On Monday, a memorandum of documents showing alleged frauds and other governance related mismanagement was also submitted by Bedi and his colleagues to Kejriwal.  The former India spinner also said that they would like to have another meeting with Kejriwal as previous Delhi CMs have not shown any interest in stopping the rot that had set in DDCA.

“I think we need another meeting with him (Kejriwal). No CM in the past has given this much importance to Delhi cricket. After all this is essentially a state subject. We have submitted all the details. This is our first attempt to involve the state government. We don’t want boys to suffer,” Bedi said, referring to malpractices related to selection of age-group as well as Ranji Trophy teams.

DDCA has courted controversy in recent times thanks to BJP MP Kirti Azad alleging involvement of several top BJP leaders in the alleged mismanagement of the association.