Saturday, 1 September 2018

Dangal in DDCA: Complaint withdrawal conditional in interest of game, says Bhardwaj

Dangal in DDCA: Complaint withdrawal conditional in interest of game, says Bhardwaj


Sanjay Bhardwaj, the Delhi and District Cricket Association Cricket Director, is a relaxed man today for having paved the way for “cricketing activities” by withdrawing his complaint to DDCA ombudsman Justice (Retd) Badar Durrez Ahmed over conflict of interest and opacity in appointment of the selection committees.
Bhardwaj had withdrawn the complaint after an assurance by DDCA president Rajat Sharma that the Supreme Court-approved BCCI Constitution will be implemented in “letter and spirit”.
“The withdrawal is conditional,” the former Delhi batsman told insidesport.co. “In our last meeting, Sharma had pleaded helplessness in implementing the revised BCCI constitution as the matter had become subjudice in the wake on my complaint. Since, I didn’t want the game and players to suffer I agreed to withdraw the complaint on the condition and assurance from the President that all the issues will be addressed while the DDCA adopts the revised constitution.
“An AGM should be called shortly now. All formalities will have to be completed before September 20,” he added.
Bhardwaj in his letter to the DDCA ombudsman for withdrawing the complaint has stated: “With reference to my complaint/petition dated 4 August, 2018 against violation of conflict of interest, with regards to formation of cricket committee, I would like to withdraw my complaint/petition after getting an assurance from my respected President / DDCA, that he will incorporate the new constitution adopted by BCCI in tune with Lodha committee recommendations en toto.”
“Now, the ball is in their (DDCA president’s) court. Withdrawing one complaint does not mean that I will stop speaking for the players and the game,” said Bhardwaj.
The DDCA Cricket Director and former Delhi batsman had changed his heart and mind during a meeting with the DDCA president. “I have had a cordial meeting with the DDCA president. We were together for 20 minutes. He pleaded that if my complaint stays with ombudsman, he won’t be able to initiate any decisions with regard to the committees I have been opposing to, since the matter was subjudice.
“I found the plea and point valid and promised him to withdraw my complaint. The promise is bilateral. I have fulfilled my part and now I am optimistic that they will do their bit to safeguard the interest of the game and the players.”
The Bhardwaj on September 23 had started an indefinite hunger strike outside the DDCA premises at the Feroze Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi. The DDCA President had himself persuaded him to call off the strike and committed that all his concerns would be addressed.
Bhardwaj, backed by DDCA secretary Vinod Tihara, had spearheaded the revolt against the DDCA President, who though enjoyed the majority support in association’s Board of Directors and executive committee.

No comments: