Vivekanand sticks to his guns

A day after being pilloried by members at the Special General Meeting, Hyderabad Cricket Association president G. Vivekanand stuck to his guns and said he was right in not allowing former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin at Sunday’s acrimonious meet.

“Azhar tried to enter the meet as a proxy of the National Cricket Club, which is against the Supreme Court guidelines. He claimed he was the vice-president of the Club whereas our records show otherwise,” he reiterated.

Vivek went on to mount the offensive. “Azhar has been leveling charges against the HCA and others are backing him. Strangely, it is the same persons who are supporting Azhar that were in power, so who is Azhar blaming I wonder - it’s been only nine months since we have assumed office,” he said.

Vivek also raised questions of his own. “Why are the former cricketers against Lodha reforms being implemented, aren’t they the ones who will benefit from them? Isn’t that in the interest of the game?”

“If ex-players come forward to serve the Association, we are willing to give them appropriate positions to develop the game but it looks like they want to be in administration,” he said.

“Also, I cannot comprehend the call to conduct fresh elections from some quarters. It is the same people who were defeated last time around, have challenged the same in the High Court where they lost again. The matter is now in Supreme Court, so let’s wait for the verdict,” he said.

“I have also heard of former secretary Man Singh being peeved at his observations on Lodha recommendations not being circulated at the SGM. But those were received three days before, as against the seven needed,” he sought to clarify.

Vivek also defended the Telangana T20 League being conducted in memory of his father. “It’s completely sponsored by us. The HCA isn’t losing any money on that one. In fact the Association now has a fair amount of visibility in the districts,” he said.

However, Azhar was sent an invitation to attend the SGM as an international player (as prescribed under Lodha norms) by secretary T Sheshnarayan who was subsequently suspended prior to Sunday’s meet. His membership card too was not issued.

HCA president also raised questions of his own. He asked “Why are the former cricketers against Lodha reforms being implemented, aren’t they the ones who will benefit from them? Isn’t that in the interest of the game?”