Delhi government’s recommended suspension of the local cricket governing body DDCA as its probe found financial irregularities in the board.
Delhi chief minister Arvid Kejriwal appointed probe committee asked BCCI to suspend the DDCA. The probe put a question mark on the fourth Test between India and South Africa scheduled on December 4 at Feroz Shah Kotla. Though, the probe committee said it has nothing to do with forthcoming India versus South Africa fourth Test in the capital on December 4.
DDCA, however, approached the Delhi High Court seeking its permission to let the Test be conducted at the Feroz Shah Kotla. HC is scheduled to hear the plea at 2 pm on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had appointed a three-member committee to initiate the probe turning down DDCA’s request to waive the Rs 24 crore entertainment tax in order to ease the burden on the Association to host the Test scheduled to start December 3.
The committee has suggested bringing professional cricketers to run the cricket in Delhi until the BCCI can find a permanent solution.
“BCCI cannot satisfy us that there is no irregularity in DDCA…BCCI should suspend DDCA [and] replace it by a body of professional cricketers until they don’t find a lasting solution,” the probe panel report said. “[It will be] Erroneous to suggest that this inquiry has got anything to do with the forthcoming Test match against South Africa.”
Suggestions have also been made in the probe report that a law should be put in place to bring all sports associations under the Right to Information (RTI) act.
“Delhi govt should look at bringing in a law that will bring DDCA and other sports bodies under RTI,” the probe report read.
The BCCI at its Annual General Meeting had given DDCA time until November 17 (which is today) to get all the clearances required to host the Test match, failing which it will be shifted to Pune that has recently been accorded Test status.
The irregularities and internal politics in the DDCA had already cost it hosting rights of South Africa’s T20 warm-up fixture at the Feroz Shah Kotla in September, which led to the match being shifted to the Palam ground.
With BCCI’s deadline ending today and Delhi government’s probe panel suggesting they have nothing to do with the hosting of the Test, it will be interesting to see what comes out from the BCCI headquarters next.