Lodha report: Age cap could force five UPCA directors to step down

Five directors may have to give up their position in the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association if the BCCI implements the Lodha Committee recommendations approved by the Supreme Court.

Five directors may have to give up their position in the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association if the BCCI implements the Lodha Committee recommendations approved by the Supreme Court.

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As the Lodha Committee has recommended an age cap of 70 years, it may be the end of the road for Prem Dhar Pathak, Madan Mohan Mishra, Suhaib Ahmed, SK Agarwal and Jyoti Bajpai, besides UPCA treasurer KN Tandon, who has also crossed the age limit.

With the committee calling for the implementation of one-man, one-post, UPCA’s joint secretary Yudhveer Singh, director Tahir Hasan, vice-president Riasat Ali will have to choose between the UPCA and their respective district associations where they hold posts as well.

But the new norms will have no impact on UPCA secretary Rajeev Shukla and president Yadupati Singhania. Shukla’s position as convener of the Indian Premier League is not in violation of the one man, one post rule, as his IPL post is temporary.

Similarly, Singhania, despite being the owner of the Gaur Hari Singhania Cricket Academy, Kamla Club and the office from where UPCA runs its activities, won’t be affected by any of the recommendations.

“Singhania’s position doesn’t violate the rule of conflict of interest, as he has no say in either the selection or the junior selection committee,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

The Board has been given six months to implement the recommendations. Sources also confirmed that if the BCCI introduced the uniform policy for office-bearers in its state and their district units as per the other recommendations of the Lodha Committee, the UPCA will have to lose its company status.

“For me, it’s quite disappointing as I have been serving the UPCA for the last 30 years,” an 85-year-old UPCA director told HT on Monday, adding, “But this is the verdict of the apex court, which we will have to respect.”

He, however, refused to comment on the shape of the UPCA once the recommendations are implemented, but hoped the BCCI as well as the state body will have six months to finalise everything.