In what is being seen as another setback for the beleaguered Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), former Ranji Players of the state under the aegis of Cricketers Welfare Forum, has attacked the association for the credit being taken for the promotion of cricket in the state.
Vijay Sain, former Ranji Player and captain of the state team from 1995-98 alleged that what beleaguered HPCA has been claiming for the promotion of cricket is just false claims and said that at ground level no such promotion is taking place.
“Players of different states are playing from the state Ranji Team on allegedly fake documents and in under 19 cricket also players from outside are playing, so how is cricket being promoted in the state as claimed by HPCA,” questioned Sain.
“In reality no promotion of cricket is being done and is just hype created by HPCA, that they have done this and that. Our young players were not given chance to play from Ranji team nor even in the junior level under-19 teams,” added Sain.
He said that the present composition and status of the HPCA is of a non-profitable company, which is run by 25 life members which include seven members from Jalandhar city and eight members from Delhi and claimed that outside members cannot think for the betterment of cricket in the State.
Sain claimed that HPCA has been claiming that Dharamshala International Cricket Stadium has been built by the association but the fact is that Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has given funds for its construction.
He lauded the steps taken by the State Government for cancellation of lease and appealed that from now on a democratically elected association should be given charge for the promotion of cricket in the State.
Sain and other former Ranji players of the state met chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday and lauded the steps taken by the State Government and thanked him for taking bold steps clearing the alleged mess in the State cricket association.