The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is regarded as an unusual world where anything can happen. So far, it has been in the news for corruption, power of proxies, fraud in age-group teams and even a poor pitch. This time, it has provided something crisper to chew on.
It started on Monday, when one of its officials was accused of stealing peanuts from the Rajasthan Ranji team dressing room at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground, during its game against Delhi. The visiting team manager, Vijendar Yadav, filed a written complaint in the night with the DDCA’s anti-corruption official, Manoj Choudhary.
“We had bought peanuts for our players during the match between Delhi and Rajasthan,” he said in the complaint. “After eating some of them we kept the packet in our dressing room. Mr Maqsood Karim came to our dressing room without permission and took the packet of peanuts.
“We request you to please look into the matter as a lot of valuable items are kept in the dressing room. Please ensure that only authorised persons are allowed in the playing area.”
Now, Maqsood is a DDCA member and its coordinator for nets, while Choudhary is a former state-level umpire. With the DDCA itself in ferment, it only led to more drama. On Tuesday evening, Maqsood and Choudhary got into a major scuffle in the Kotla premises. A call was made and the police arrived, the upheaval lasting till late in the night. Maqsood finally tendered an apology.
{{/usCountry}}Now, Maqsood is a DDCA member and its coordinator for nets, while Choudhary is a former state-level umpire. With the DDCA itself in ferment, it only led to more drama. On Tuesday evening, Maqsood and Choudhary got into a major scuffle in the Kotla premises. A call was made and the police arrived, the upheaval lasting till late in the night. Maqsood finally tendered an apology.
{{/usCountry}}“Yes, we filed a complaint to DDCA as this is very serious issue. The BCCI is very strict about its anti-corruption code. Here, an unauthorised person was right inside our dressing room,” Yadav told HT on Wednesday, the last of the match which Delhi won.
In a December 2 communication to state units, the BCCI had asked them to nominate senior members as anti-corruption liaison officials as there were not enough personnel at the parent body’s disposal.