Srinagar, Dec 7: A day after J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) Chairman Dr Farooq Abdullah directed JKCA to stop two senior players from joining JK Ranji trophy squad, the players have raised questions over his authority in stopping them.
The players said that JKCA constitution doesn’t empower the President to interfere in selection and team matters.
“Dr Farooq Abdullah according to the constitution of JKCA has got no power or authority to interfere in selection matters of the Association. It is the selection committee, working committee or sub-committee of Association that can take decision. He has violated the JKCA constitution by stopping us from joining the team,” said a player who was barred to play in Ranji trophy matches.
The two players, ex skipper Samiullah Beigh and Majid Dar were supposed to join JK team for the Kerala match after striking the peace deal with JKCA officials here. JK is scheduled to play its fifth Ranji trophy group-c match against Kerala at Malappuram (Kerala) on December 8. The two senior players were given a go ahead by JKCA officials to join team for the tie.
“We were not joining the team on our own but were given go ahead by JKCA and Dr Abdullah had no right to stop us. He doesn’t even know our names despite the fact we have been representing State for last 10 years,” player said.
He said that Dr Farooq has been heading the Association for last 30 years and still JK cricket has not achieved anything compared to neighboring States like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
“He does not have time for cricket and remains busy with his political affairs. Due to his busy schedule JKCA is not able to achieve what it should have achived way back,” he added.
When contacted J&K Cricket Players Association (JKCPA) chairman Nayeem Bakshi said, “The players were selected by selectors and they should have been allowed to join rest of the squad. There should have been no problem for them of joining the team. It is unfortunate that they have been stopped”.
Meanwhile former general secretary of JKCA ML Nehru has termed whole saga of JKCA-Players selection as unfortunate for the JK Cricket.
“I personally don’t know on what basis these two senior players were stopped by JKCA President. But what I have learned through media reports is that, Dr Abdullah has taken disciplinary action against the two players who were leading Kashmir province boycott,” Nehru told Greater Kashmir.
“Constitution doesn’t give JKCA President the right to interfere in selection matters but he reserves the right to take disciplinary action if any arises. And in that purview, he has taken the decision,” Nehru said.
With regard to the situation of Kashmir Province players boycotting JK Ranji trophy match against Andhra Pradesh, a veteran cricket administrator said, “The recent ugly events in JKCA are a matter of serious concern for all JK Cricket Players and administrators”.
He said that both players and cricket administrators need to maintain discipline.
Nehru also hailed the recent JK Ranji trophy win over Assam and termed it the only ray of hope in this hour of despair in JK Cricket circles.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST