MS Shanker
In my ongoing mission to uncover the reasons behind the decline of cricket in Telangana, particularly under the mismanagement of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), it is becoming disturbingly clear that the rot has gone from bad to worse.
At the heart of this decay lies the infiltration of political opportunists into positions of power they neither understand nor deserve. Not every cricketer makes a good administrator, and certainly, not every politician belongs anywhere near a cricket board. In recent editions of this series, I have exposed how even celebrated former Test cricketers, once entrusted with administrative roles, have failed miserably, driven more by ego and greed than any love for the game. With BCCI grants running into thousands of crores, cricket is no longer just a sport—it’s a lucrative business. And where there’s money, vultures gather.
Clubs affiliated to the HCA, many of which are unprofessionally run and riddled with corruption, are regularly bribed and manipulated during elections. This enables shady businessmen and politically connected individuals to rise to power, often with the blessings of the ruling party. The results are visible: internal brawls that mirror the chaos of civic bodies and legislative assemblies, and a system where accountability is a farce.
Take, for instance, the ugly episode that unfolded at a recent Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the HCA—an incident that came dangerously close to a physical altercation. A businessman-turned-president, who reportedly owes his appointment to the previous BRS government, flew into a rage when the HCA Secretary issued a clarification about a news report. That report, based on findings from the State Vigilance Department, accused the President of demanding an additional 10% ticket quota from IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). It even alleged that he locked an enclosure on match day until his demands were met.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-x/
The Secretary, whose own name was also mentioned in the Vigilance report, issued a rejoinder to the media. Predictably, it wasn’t published. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. Media silence on HCA scandals has become the norm. However, in a bid to maintain internal transparency, the CEO circulated the rejoinder among office-bearers. That move enraged the President and his loyalists, many of whom are themselves under scrutiny for financial irregularities.
The meeting quickly devolved into a battleground. The President’s faction, threatened by the Secretary’s growing assertiveness and his close coordination with the CEO, attempted to marginalize him. They accused the CEO of acting like the Secretary’s subordinate, failing to coordinate with the rest of the office-bearers, and overstaying his constitutionally permitted tenure, usually capped at 2–3 years.
It’s worth noting that the CEO had been appointed by none other than the Supreme Court-appointed Ombudsman, Justice Nageswara Rao. But fed up with the toxic environment, he ultimately chose to walk away. That was, in effect, a victory for the President’s camp, who succeeded in isolating the Secretary, the one man who consistently posed a threat to their unethical practices.
Then came the parents’ bribery episode. Disturbed by complaints that intermediaries were promising state team berths to under-16 and under-19 players in exchange for cash, the Secretary planned to hold a press conference. He was expected to warn parents against falling for such scams and was even contemplating requesting the State Vigilance Department to probe the matter. That possibility sent panic waves through the President’s camp—some of whom are allegedly neck-deep in these selection-for-sale rackets.
Insiders claim that a few EC members, trying to mask their own insecurity, accused the Secretary of behaving “like a dictator” and not consulting others. They also blamed the now-ex-CEO for poor coordination with the BCCI and internal communications. “We are also elected members,” said one office-bearer. “Who is he to keep us in the dark? This is dictatorship.” With this narrative, they justified the CEO’s ouster.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-ix/
That same EC meeting was also meant to fix the date for the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM)—originally scheduled for May 22. But now, the AGM is postponed to the end of the month. Another delay. Another red flag. Why? To buy time and suppress uncomfortable truths? The timing is suspicious, especially since those trying to derail the Secretary and CEO are also linked to the parent bribery scandal.
The ball is now in the government’s court. The State Vigilance Department must act, not just on SRH’s complaint about ticket quotas but on the much darker scandal involving the sale of state team slots to the highest bidder.
Young talent is being crushed. Parents are being duped. The sport is being looted by those who swore to nurture it.
Cricket lovers in Hyderabad demand answers. They deserve action.
Expose the brokers. Punish the guilty. Clean up the system.
Until that happens, the betrayal of Hyderabad cricket continues. (Watch this space for more revelations from inside the crumbling fortress of HCA.)
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-viii/
