Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) on Tuesday strongly refuted the claims made by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) and the TG20 League Convenor that, for the first time, they had provided a platform for raw rural talent from Telangana to showcase their abilities through the ongoing TG20 tournament. Questioning the veracity of these assertions,
TCA General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy in a signed press statement, urged the HCA and TG20 organisers to place complete details of all players representing the eight franchise teams in the public domain. “If the claims are genuine, we humbly appeal to the HCA and the TG20 Convenor to disclose the background of every player participating in the tournament — including their native village or mandal, their educational institutions, and the level of cricket they have previously played, whether at the school, college, university or district level. Such transparency alone will be sufficient to silence critics and establish that deserving cricketers from genuine rural backgrounds have indeed been given an opportunity,” he said.
Clarifying TCA’s stand, General Secretary Guruva Reddy said, “A player from Adilabad, Khammam or Nalgonda may have been born in a village in those districts, but owing to the sound financial background of his family, he could have studied in premier institutions such as Hyderabad Public School or other reputed educational establishments. There are many such examples. Such players may have eventually integrated into urban living conditions and enjoyed access to quality coaching and competitive cricket through their schools, colleges and universities.”
“TCA is not referring to such players. Our concern is with those Page 2 of 3 youngsters from rural Telangana who have been genuinely deprived of opportunities for decades, despite HCA having enjoyed BCCI affiliation for more than 80 years. Those are the cricketers for whom we have consistently fought,” he clarified.
Guruva Reddy further alleged that HCA officials, who enjoy political backing and access to government machinery, have repeatedly attempted to evade legitimate public scrutiny by dismissively asking, ‘Why should we answer TCA?’ “The TCA is only raising these questions on behalf of the people of Telangana.
If the HCA has indeed obtained approval from the BCCI for the conduct of the TG20 league, why not place the relevant communication in the public domain through the media? We are not seeking anything beyond our legal rights as stakeholders of Telangana cricket. The question remains: why the reluctance?” he asked.
The TCA General Secretary further cautioned those ridiculing the association against making premature judgments, noting that several legal proceedings concerning HCA’s administration continue to remain pending before various judicial forums. He pointed out that petitions filed not only by TCA but also by some of HCA’s own affiliated clubs have raised serious concerns over alleged financial irregularities and have sought independent judicial oversight of the association’s administration.
“Some matters may currently be awaiting admission or hearing, but judicial processes do not remain suspended indefinitely. Circumstances change, and institutions eventually act on issues placed before them,” he said. Reiterating that TCA is pursuing its battle strictly within the framework of law, Guruva Reddy said the association remains committed to democratic and constitutional means.
“We firmly believe in the timeless principle that justice delayed is not justice denied. The day is not far when TCA, much like the political movements that fought for self-governance and ultimately secured separate statehood for Telangana, will receive recognition from the BCCI and fulfil the aspirations of thousands of deserving cricketers across the state.”
He appealed to aspiring cricketers from Telangana not to be misled by individuals or vested interests who, he alleged, are working in tandem with sections of the existing administration to obstruct TCA’s efforts through divisive tactics, including caste-based and other considerations.
“Young and genuine cricketers should not compromise their future for short-term gains offered by a system that has consistently failed to deliver transparency and equal opportunities.
TCA remains committed to protecting their interests and ensuring a fair and merit-based cricketing ecosystem in Telangana,” he said. Concluding his statement, Guruva Reddy expressed confidence that truth and justice would ultimately prevail. “We firmly believe in ‘Satyameva Jayate’. Just as Telangana realised its long-cherished dream of separate statehood, genuine cricketers of this region too will one day secure a transparent and accountable cricketing system that truly represents their aspirations.”
