Our Sports Desk
Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) on Thursday claimed that recent developments before the Telangana High Court have reinforced its long-standing concerns regarding the functioning of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), while renewing its demand for immediate intervention by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In a signed press statement, TCA General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy said the filing of multiple petitions by certain HCA-affiliated clubs challenging the supervisory role of a retired judge appointed by the High Court raises serious questions about transparency and accountability within the state’s cricket administration.
According to the TCA, some affiliated clubs have approached the High Court seeking to curtail or remove the supervisory powers granted to the retired judge who has been overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the HCA under court directions.
“The very nature of these petitions raises legitimate questions. If transparency and accountability are being maintained, why should there be resistance to independent judicial oversight?” Guruva Reddy said in the statement.
He noted that the High Court had entrusted supervisory responsibilities to the retired judge amid concerns over governance, administration and financial management within the HCA.
“The cricketing community and the public deserve answers. If everything is functioning properly, there should be no apprehension about independent monitoring by a court-appointed authority,” he said.
The TCA further alleged that some of the petitioners are either current or former office-bearers of the HCA and have, at various points, faced allegations or complaints relating to the administration of the association. The organization contended that the latest legal challenges appear to reflect a broader resistance to scrutiny.
Reiterating concerns it has raised in the past, the TCA alleged that issues such as lack of transparency, nepotism, administrative irregularities and bias in player selection have adversely affected cricket development in Telangana.
Guruva Reddy claimed that the concerns being highlighted by the TCA are shared by several stakeholders, including former cricketers, district-level administrators, parents of young players and women’s cricketers.
“Over the years, we have repeatedly highlighted what we believe are systemic issues affecting cricket administration in Telangana. These concerns cannot simply be dismissed as isolated grievances,” he said.
The TCA also referred to various complaints and legal proceedings initiated by parents and players regarding selection processes and administrative functioning. According to Guruva Reddy, several complainants have approached law-enforcement agencies and courts seeking redressal of their grievances.
The association further pointed to proceedings before the Telangana Lokayukta, which had directed the CB-CID to conduct an inquiry into certain complaints and submit a report within a specified timeframe.
Guruva Reddy stated that these developments demonstrate the need for a comprehensive and impartial examination of the issues raised by stakeholders.
The TCA also expressed disappointment over what it described as inadequate attention given to such issues by sections of the media.
“It is important that the concerns of thousands of aspiring cricketers across Telangana receive due attention. The future of young players should remain the central focus of cricket administration,” he said.
Calling the situation “serious,” the TCA renewed its demand for BCCI intervention. The association urged the national cricket body to place the current HCA administration under suspended animation and appoint an independent committee comprising experienced and credible cricket administrators to oversee the association’s affairs until normalcy is restored.
“The restoration of public confidence requires independent oversight and a thorough review of the association’s functioning,” Guruva Reddy said.
The TCA also reiterated its demand for BCCI affiliation, claiming that it represents cricketing interests across Telangana’s districts beyond Hyderabad.
Referring to the ongoing TG20 tournament, the association sought clarification from the BCCI on whether all necessary approvals had been obtained for the event. It also urged the national body to examine complaints it claims to have received regarding certain aspects of the tournament.
Concluding the statement, Guruva Reddy said the TCA would continue pursuing the matter before the BCCI, law-enforcement agencies and judicial forums.
“Our objective remains transparency, accountability and fair opportunities for cricketers across Telangana. We will continue to seek a fair and impartial examination of every allegation concerning cricket administration in the state,” he said.
