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Stinking affairs of JKCA

Kashmir Times. Dated: 4/20/2015 11:17:06 PM

Restore democratic norms in JKCA and allow thorough investigations in allegations of corruption and swindling of funds

Acute corruption and favouritism have been marred the affairs of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), the premier cricketing body in the state since its inception due to complete grip over its working by a few politicians. In fact, the stinking affairs of the JKCA have adversely affected the working of the body and ultimately spoiling the once gentleman game of cricket in the state with cricketers crying for help from time to time during the past three decades. The big money involved in the game of cricketing that is popular in India and rest of the region has developed more vested interests compared to any other game in the region. This is the main reason why majority of the politicians, who are ruling the roost in the cricketing body, do not want to lose control over it and want to carry on their activities in the manner which suits their whimsical behavior. It is a sad state of affairs that the big money has also made all the cricketing bodies totally undemocratic with no scene of elections being held in time during the past more than 30 years. In fact, elections for the JKCA are again due but there are no signs which suggest that those ruling the roost at the helm of affairs are in a mood to hold elections in the next few weeks despite the fact that they are already overdue. Unfortunately, elections have been notified at different occasions not to conducted in a manner which is not only free and fair but also appear to be justified. This scenario has been emerging with the passage of every year only to be cancelled or conducted in a doctored manner with hand-picked people chosen to man some of the post already decided by the president, who is there for the last many decades. The cricket bodies under the domain of the state government have also been asked to votes for the persons already in place so that the legacy of the politicians, who are controlling the game of cricket can carry on as per their wishes. The elections in JKCA have also become a mock drill for majority of the cricketing bodies with real sportspersons sitting as mute spectators.
So far the management of the cricketing bodies is concerned, there is no doubt that their working is mired in one controversy or the other with most of the office bearers caught in litigation during the past many years after the politicians at the helm of affairs lost interest in the game of cricket. Time and again, allegations of corruption in conduct of game and siphoning off the funds meant for promotion of cricket have been leveled during the past many years. There are allegations that funds have been swindled by the office bearers to the tune of crores of rupees witrh no accountability either to the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCC) or the office bearers and electoral college that elects the people to head the organization. Several complaints have been made to the police and vigilance organizations in the state besides representations made to the BCCI, no further headway has been made during the past many years for carrying out investigations. The probe has been stalled by the police and the JKCA under the influence of politicians and those supporting them from time to time. Some of the complaints have made their way to the courts but somehow they have been scuttled at different levels by the politicians. Some cases have been registered by the police on the complaints of the office bearers but no investigations have been carried out till date because of the politicians' involvement in these cases. No the sporting fraternity has been making an attempt to seek redressal of their complaints from the government but no such silver-lining has been seen by them so far. The current office bearers are again up to something and may spring another surprise as elections dates are drawing nearer. But whole problem lies with excessive political interference in these cricketing bodies and solution to it is making these bodies more democratic with timely elections held year after year.