Former players revolt against Punjab association

LEADING THE REVOLT, FORMER FIRST-CLASS PLAYER RAKESH HANDA AND 15 OTHERS HELD A MEETING TO CHALK OUT THE COURSE OF ACTION

CHANDIGARH: A group of excricketers raised the banner of revolt against the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) on Friday for not implementing the Lodha Committee recommendations and excluding players from the post of office-bearers.

But before the meeting could take place, former India cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi, who took the PCA to court in 199394, backed out at the last minute citing illness.

Leading the revolt, former first-class player Rakesh Handa and 15 others held a meeting here to chalk out the course of action. They alleged that players on good terms with PCA chairman IS Bindra, secretary general MP Pandove and secretary GS Walia had been accommodated in various committees and given plum coaching jobs.

The PCA recently included former international cricketer Bhupinder Singh Sr and former Punjab captain Shailla Jain in its executive committee.

“Pandove and Walia have been at the helm for long. There is no accountability and despite the order of the Supreme Court, the PCA is yet to form a players’ association and make ex-players its members,” said Handa, who claimed support of other players too.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting were former cricketers Ravneet Ricky, and Amit Uniyal along with Sapan Chopra, member of the Punjab squad that won the Ranji Trophy in 1992-1993.

Handa said if the PCA didn’t fall in line, the players might form a parallel body and adopt the Lodha recommendations before seeking affiliation from the BCCI.

“Till date, they (PCA) haven’t added to the facilities apart from the stadium in Mohali. As per an affidavit in the Supreme Court, in the last five years PCA received funds worth `178 crore, where did that money go,” asked Handa.

In its reaction, Pandove listed the steps the association had taken. “We are waiting for the final verdict from the Supreme Court on the contentious issues and the matter is sub-judice. Barring that, we have started implementing reforms. Nobody has stopped these players from a becoming part of the association. The PCA gives pensions to ex-cricketers, besides organising state and national-level tournaments,” said Pandove.