What BCCI can do to clean DDCA mess
Cricket fans in the capital have a reason to feel happy as they can watch the fourth India-South Africa Test from December 3. One of the observations made by the Delhi High Court while permitting the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) to host the match was that public should not be deprived of watching cricket. Given the lack of a sporting culture in the capital, this is the time fans must respond and flock to the Kotla.
With Justice Mukul Mudgal being named observer for the match, one can hope the public will have better facilities in the stands as he has promised free RO water with disposable glasses.
It's early winter and while fans may be keener on intense action on the field, there is no denying the thirst factor needs to be taken care of. Carrying bottles inside the stadium is tough and in the name of security, it's another hassle which people have to face.
What was also interesting to note on November 21 was Justice Mudgal wanting to give away free passes to underprivileged schoolchildren, subject to clearance from the court.
Talk of free passes and free lunches, the DDCA officials are known for being notorious. Now that there is a cricket-loving former judge there to advice the sub-committees for the Kotla Test, interesting days lie ahead.
As one who looked into the Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal, Justice Mudgal knows what kind of people he is dealing with in preparation for this match. At the same time, he has also gone a step ahead by asking for the services of a former deputy CAG to supervise the various tenders.
This is quite similar to government intervention coming in at the last minute before the 2010 Commonwealth Games when people like Jarnail Singh, a former PMO heavyweight, was roped in along with senior bureaucrat Jiji Thomson.
One wonders what many DDCA office-bearers are doing at this point of time, as some have been rendered redundant. Chetan Chauhan is the acting president and knows the pressure is on the city's cricket body.
Yet, at the same time, one cannot ignore the report given by the Delhi government's three-member committee which went quite far in suggesting to the BCCI that the DDCA be suspended.
Corruption, dirt, sleaze, bankruptcy and day-to-day nepotism in team selection, nothing has changed in the DDCA. For its part, the BCCI has conveniently ignored the Delhi government report.
Looking at what actions the BCCI president Shashank Manohar has been taking, it's about time he looks at ways to clear the mess called the DDCA.
If the Delhi High Court can give directions for overseeing a big Test match under a retired judge of repute, one can also hope for suggestions to cleanse Delhi's cricket headquarters. Once the Test is over, it's for the BCCI to act on the report submitted by the Arvind Kejriwal government-appointed committee. It's a tough job trying to sort out the mess but if intent can be backed by action, there is no reason why people who have shamed the capital's cricket establishment cannot be booted out.
From proxy voting to gross financial mismanagement and naming coaches for various teams, there is no credibility in the DDCA.
The BCCI can possibly ask for a retired judge to look into all these matters and at the same time, ensure the city is not deprived of matches during the ICC World T20 next March. There will be a lot of resistance to any attempt to make things better in the DDCA.
This time around, the men in and out of power in the DDCA know push has come to shove. This is not at all a situation like the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai where the AIADMK government has ordered two big stands to be sealed as many rules were flouted.
In the DDCA, there is large-scale room for making things better so that all agencies concerned with giving clearances are satisfied.
The BCCI, in its new avatar, has shown it means business. While we can feel happy the Kotla is getting to host a blue riband match, let's also hope the money which the BCCI pays to the DDCA is used for paying salary arrears to Ranji players and even umpires.
This is far more important than staging a Test match and preparing a wicket that suits the Indian spinners.