As previously discussed, recent developments suggest that selection for state teams and elections for office bearers now come at a steep price. The sport has transformed into a business of influence rather than merit. Worse, some politicians are attempting to seize control of existing clubs, using their ill-gotten wealth to buy power—treating the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) as a cash cow, with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) funds fuelling the racket.
Adding to the woes is the failure of Supreme Court-appointed Ombudsman Nageshwar Rao, a former judge, who has seemingly ignored complaints against key individuals, including a former HCA secretary allegedly controlling multiple clubs. Despite having discretionary powers to act, Rao has reportedly chosen to engage with only a select few while disregarding others who could provide crucial insights into the deteriorating standards of the game. Even independent journalists attempting to reach him for comment have faced a wall of silence.
The gravity of corruption within the HCA is evident in multiple investigations and legal cases. Three FIRs and chargesheets filed by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) allege the misappropriation of HCA funds amounting to Rs 20 crore. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also stepped in, probing money laundering cases. Former HCA President Mohammed Azharuddin, along with other officials such as Shivlal Yadav and Arshad Ayub, have been questioned over their roles in financial irregularities.
One of the key FIRs was based on a forensic audit that uncovered fraudulent transactions involving third-party vendors. These transactions were not only dubious but also detrimental to the association’s financial health. Investigations revealed procurement irregularities in crucial infrastructure projects, including diesel generator sets, firefighting systems, and canopies for Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium.
Chargesheets detail how deliberate delays in project execution led to escalated costs and inflated budgets, causing financial losses for the HCA. Furthermore, tenders were allegedly awarded to preferred contractors at rates higher than market value without following standard procedures. In some cases, contractors received advance payments but failed to deliver any work. The ED’s raids on former office bearers, including ex-HCA presidents Gaddam Vinod and Arshad Ayub, led to the seizure of digital records, incriminating documents, and unaccounted cash worth Rs 10.39 lakh.
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Former Indian cricket captain and ex-HCA president Mohammed Azharuddin has remained a controversial figure. In addition to his involvement in HCA-related financial misappropriation worth Rs 3.85 crore, he has faced legal troubles elsewhere. In 2020, he was accused of defrauding a travel agent in Aurangabad of Rs 21 lakh. His once-illustrious cricketing career ended in scandal when the BCCI banned him for life in 2000 for his alleged role in a match-fixing scandal linked to disgraced South African captain Hansie Cronje. Although the High Court overturned the ban in 2012, the BCCI never formally reinstated him but did allow him to contest HCA elections.
Beyond financial misdeeds, the HCA has also been plagued by an age-fraud scandal. Police have registered three cases involving players submitting forged age certificates to compete in underage tournaments. The scale of deception reflects a systemic failure within the association, further tarnishing its credibility.
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The Supreme Court recently opined that former sportsmen could effectively administer sports bodies. However, given the state of affairs in the HCA, such a notion appears impractical. With key former cricketers embroiled in corruption cases, merely handing over administration to ex-players may not be a viable solution. Instead, urgent intervention is required to restore integrity to Hyderabad cricket.
A growing number of former cricketers and administrators are calling for a radical overhaul of the HCA’s governance. Players like MV Narasimha Rao and Kanwaljit Singh advocate for a seven-member panel comprising credible cricketers and competent bureaucrats such as CV Anand, a senior police official with a background in senior division cricket. They argue that such a panel should be empowered to bring discipline to club secretaries and eliminate corruption from within.
Kanwaljit Singh emphasizes that Anand, given his policing background and cricketing experience, could play a crucial role in expediting ACB probes and ensuring accountability for those found guilty. Meanwhile, former Ranji player Maheshwar Singh has proposed a grassroots revival program, suggesting that a select group of 14 to 16 promising players undergo rigorous two-year training to transform them into world-class cricketers.
Honest and upright former cricketers are ready to step in and restore Hyderabad cricket’s lost glory. However, their efforts will be in vain unless the Supreme Court takes decisive action. The pending cases against the HCA must be resolved swiftly, and in the meantime, elections should be put on hold. A viable solution would be the appointment of an independent seven-member panel with a two-year mandate to cleanse the association and restore faith in the game.
This panel should comprise individuals of the highest integrity who have significantly contributed to cricket, such as MV Narasimha Rao, Venkateswaran (a proven administrator who served as an elected joint secretary and later as in-charge secretary), Jyothi Prasad, Maheshwar Singh, and Kanwaljit Singh. Additionally, CV Anand, a serving IPS officer holding the rank of DGP, and a nominee chosen by the Supreme Court should be included. (Concluded) (Watch out for a new series featuring the journey of an individual cricketer who represented the state team. He will share his challenges and offer insights on how Hyderabad cricket can be restored to its former glory.)
Also read: Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-iii/
