GUWAHATI, May 27 - The focus of cricket buffs in the State is now centred on June 12 that is likely to be one of the most significant days for the Assam Cricket Association (ACA).
The Gauhati High Court on May 11 directed the ACA to hold its annual general meeting (AGM) on June 12 from 10 am onwards at the ACA�s Barsapara cricket stadium here, while appointing Justice (Rtd) CR Sarma as an observer. Sarma has already visited the stadium recently to take stock of the arrangements for the AGM where the new ACA panel will also be elected.
As per the Gauhati HC judgement, the already sacked secretary Bikash Baruah should not be allowed to contest for any post of office bearer of ACA. The court also ruled that the current president Gautom Roy will be able to either preside over the AGM or contest for the presidential post. However, as per the HC verdict, the meeting should be held as per the clauses of the ACA constitution.
Roy and Baruah have been continuing in their posts since 2002 when they were elected as president and secretary respectively in the Bongaigaon AGM of the cricket body.
The cricket body�s AGM was earlier scheduled to be held on June 26, 2015, but as per court injunction, the meeting had to be postponed. After a series of legal battles, the Gauhati High Court finally fixed the date for the AGM as well as the election of the cricket body.
Some senior ACA members feel that the ACA AGM should be held without much hue and cry. They also want such a panel to be elected that will only think for the betterment of the State cricket.
Meanwhile, a source close to the new Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that the minister will certainly contest for the presidential post. The present ACA vice president Sarma, as per the source, has some specific agenda on which he wants to become the president of the cricket body. Apart from cleansing the alleged present anomalies in the cricket body, he has also vowed to push Assam cricketers for the senior national squads, the source said.
It needs mention here that Assam pace bowler Krishna Das was ignored by the BCCI selectors for the Zimbabwe and West Indies tour despite his sterling performance in the last Ranji Trophy season. Krishna took 50 wickets from 10 matches in the 2015-2016 Ranji season and played a vital role in taking his team to the semifinal stage for the first time, but was overlooked by the selection panel, while rookie Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur, who picked 41 wickets in the last Ranji season, was selected for the Windies Test tour.
The present governing body of the ACA will meet on May 29 where the members are likely to decide their strategy for the upcoming AGM. For president Roy it will be tough to decide whether he will contest or preside.
Whatever it is, to run ACA, or any other State cricket body, is not an easy task. It needs a hefty amount to run the day to day activities. Right from maintaining the stadium to prepare teams for various BCCI tournaments, it needs huge amount. However, the cash rich organisation BCCI provide financial supports to the State bodies. To maintain the accounts it needs able and honest office bearers.
