Why is Uttarakhand Cricket Association under question ?

Why is it that successive Uttarakhand’s ruling political parties are always under question representing different ideologies. Whichever government rules the state – questions regarding its credibility is always at stake. However, corruption seems to be the alleged foundation of these political establishments. Some news analysts say that it’s primarily the issue of corruption that forbids any government coming to power in this state to install a transparent and impeccable LOKPAL, the demand of both Congress and BJP governments at least during elections to bag votes but giving it up later on after election, thinking the electorates as mere fools. There have been several assurances to install Lok Pal in the state since the tenure of (Retd) Major General Bhuvan Khanduri as CM of Uttarakhand then lauded by the flag bearer against coruption Anna Hazare for bringing a bill on it but not implemented. If we talk about about any department – education, health, PWD, industries, examinations, women related, agriculture, mining or related to construction etc corruption allegedly seems to be all pervasive, irrespective of whichever government rules the state as per the news highlights. If we try to bring forth various corruption related scams of the state the list is undoubtedly long.

The recent UKSSSC scam in paper leak, appointments and cheating have already shaken the present political establishment with controversial appointments in Assembly secretariat etc also being under question.

However, our honourable chief minister is still rated as one of the best performing chief ministers of Uttarakhand. Congrats. Thanks to those who assess and analyse such parameters, thinking that these CMs are the best.

Let us now talk of cricket in Uttarakhand as we have Mahendra Singh Dhoni and several other outstanding cricketers making name and fame in the country and internationally as well but despite their fathers being from UK, they give credit to other states.

Let’s now talk of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand and according to Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and its spokesman Shiv Prasad Semwal it is knee deep dip in corruption.

It is usually believed that smaller states – especially the newly formed states are haven for such corrupters and Uttarakhand is allegedly one such victim.

If we talk of cricket, Uttarakhand is the worst example as far as sidelining of the best budding cricketers of Uttarakhand is concerned reveal sources.

Several aspiring outstanding cricketers of Uttarakhand living in UK and Delhi with genuine Uttarakhand domicile have been sidelined who had dedicated their entire career for cricket , performing with outstanding results because the officers at Cricket Association of Uttarakhand were busy obliging sons of the affluent and rich of other states well connected politically, allegedly arranging for their domicile certificates and finally selection of outsiders and non competitive players in return for ( of) various obligations.

And what is more worrisome to this practice is the fact that our politicians of the state had nothing to do with it except favouring their own cricketers and sidelining the genuine ones.

Moreover it is said that they had already appointed their own persons in these bodies who act on their whims and fancies in the selection of cricketers.

Myself being an Uttarakhandi apart from being a journalist and activist I very strongly feel that our state’s cricket body has done literally nothing to promote the genuine budding players of Uttarakhand but majorly outsiders.

Had it not been the case why would a regional party Uttarakhand Kranti Dal come against them, is a moot question?

Can they show a single cricketeer of Uttarakhand origin having come out in national and international competition exceptionally , especially from Pauri Garhwal district or other interior villages, bringing laurels for the state and the country ?

This is why the premier regional party of Uttarakhand, UKD had raised this basic question and has given a call for 8 th April inviting all to participate in their protest at the venue in Dehradun to ask questions to the CAU regarding the existing corruption and sidelining of the Uttarakhand’s budding outstanding cricketers in order to oblige the outside cricketers with contacts in political circles and through other obligations. There seems to be the lack of financial transparency.

In a press statement issued by Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, a regional political party of Uttarakhand : In view of the step motherly treatment meted by the Uttarakhand Association of Cricket to the the players of the hilly state and the ongoing alleged corruption in the selection process including not organising the cricket camps in Uttarakhand – the UKD will on 22 th April question these officers of CAU about these discrepancies in Uttarakhand inviting common public to participate in this exercise.

The UKD is of the opinion that the young and budding outstanding cricketers of Uttarakhand are being sidelined and cricketers from outside the hilly state are being entertained thus giving a clear cut example of the ongoing corruption in the selection process.

The UKD will do its best to ensure that the desiring and deserving cricketers should get their due instead of the outside cricketers who are securing the place in lieu of the deserving Uttarakhand cricketers just because they have political jacks and are allegedly submitting fake domicile credentials to represent Uttarakhand state in Ranji trophies and other national cricket competitions.

There have been number of examples about the deserving candidates of Uttarakhand especially from Pauri Garhwal district not getting the opportunity to represent in Ranji trophy just because they lack jacks and belong to poor and modest families.