Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) on Sunday accused the state government of misusing official machinery to suppress its voice after a scheduled press conference at a private hotel in Secunderabad was allegedly blocked following police intervention.
Refusing to be silenced, TCA office-bearers, including General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy, Challa Ram, Gopal Sharma, Kapilavai Ravinder, Jhansi, Varun Reddy, Navarasan and Parashuram, addressed the media on the road outside the hotel premises.
Guruva Reddy launched a scathing attack on State Minister Vivek Venkataswamy and the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), alleging that attempts to prevent the press conference reflected desperation to conceal serious irregularities.
Responding to the Minister’s remarks questioning the existence of the TCA, Guruva Reddy said the statement displayed ignorance, pointing out that the BCCI had directed the HCA to coordinate with the TCA in 2018 and reiterated the same in 2021.
He said the TCA had submitted a fresh complaint to the State CID seeking an investigation into an alleged ₹600-crore financial scam in the HCA spanning 2004 to 2026. The association also demanded a probe into the alleged attempt to transfer ₹69 crore of HCA funds to Visaka, a company allegedly linked to the Minister’s family.
Questioning the legitimacy of the ongoing TG20 League at the Uppal Stadium, Guruva Reddy challenged the HCA to produce BCCI approval documents. He warned that if the tournament was conducted without authorisation, the TCA would pursue action under Rule 31, which could attract severe penalties, including lifetime bans for participants and de-recognition of the HCA.
He also criticised the league for excluding district-level cricketers despite teams being named after Telangana districts and warned investors and celebrities associated with the tournament of potential legal consequences if courts later declare it illegal.
Reaffirming its stand, the TCA said it would pursue all legal and judicial remedies to expose the alleged irregularities.
