Delhi cricket body’s meeting turns ugly

One bitten is usually twice shy but the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) brass can never be accused of being shy, reports Heena Zuni Pandit.

Updated on: Dec 30, 2009 12:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times | By Anonymous, New Delhi

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One bitten is usually twice shy but the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) brass can never be accused of being shy.

If Sunday’s pitch fiasco was not enough, the state association’s Tuesday Annual General Meeting (AGM) turned ugly. The meeting was rocked when Kirti Azad, the former India cricketer and current Lok Sabha MP, stormed out, alleging he was treated badly and that his supporters were manhandled.

“I was insulted when I raised questions about the pitch farce,” said Azad.

“I asked about the accounts and the formation of the Cricket Committee. When I asked what the DDCA was doing on cricketing matters, a lot of people tried to insult me,” said an angry Azad.

The DDCA, however, saw things differently. “Our meeting concluded peacefully. We answered every question. All accounts were passed and everything is crystal clear,” said Sunil Dev, the Sports Secretary.

Sources told Hindustan Times that the problem arose when Azad asked DDCA President Arun Jaitley a question, which he diverted to vice-president Chetan Chauhan. Azad refused to take answers from Chauhan, demanding direct answers from the president.

When treasurer NK Batra and other officials interrupted, Azad had enough.

Azad asked why Chauhan, with no prior experience of making pitches, was involved with the curators committee. Jaitley reportedly said gave the responsibility of pitch preparation was given to Daljit Singh, chairman of the BCCI’s Grounds and Pitches committee.

“They (the DDCA) say they have spent about Rs 30 crore since on the stadium since January, but they had no answer about where the money was spend,” said Azad.

At this point Azad walked out of the meeting. “I will continue my fight against corruption. I will raise this question in Parliament and even file an RTI,” said Azad.

Meanwhile, the much talked about pitch was tested on Tuesday in an under-14 match between Delhi and a junior team from England.

Though the bounce was uneven it was not dangerous.

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