Hero Image

CoA appoints observer for Jharkhand State Cricket Association, Ranchi Test

The Committee of Administrator (CoA) has appointed an observer for the Jharkhand State Cricket Association. Retired IAS Officer Jayant Dasgupta has been deputed to Ranchi to oversee the functioning of the JSCA as well as preparation for the association election and the third and final Test between India and South Africa, slated to be held in Ranchi from October 19.



A member of the CoA has told this paper that an observer was necessitated following CoA’s dissatisfaction over functioning of the association. Simultaneously, the CoA has decided on appointing an observer for the Rajasthan Cricket Association as well. A retired IAS officer has been identified for the role.

“The observers are appointed when the CoA feels the association functioning needs monitoring. The observer will not interfere with the association officials. He will report his observations to the CoA on a regular basis. Mandatorily, the observer is a retired IAS,” the CoA source told Mirror.

Meanwhile in another development, not entirely irrelevant to the JSCA, BCCI acting secretaryAmitabh Choudhary, who was slapped with a showcase notice for failing to represent the BCCI at the ICC and ACC meets, has sought time for giving his reply citing health reasons. The CoA has apparently been getting regular reports from the observer about Choudhary and the matter was discussed at length at the CoA meet in Delhi yesterday. The CoA though decided to permit the time sought although it may soon decide on who will represent the BCCI at next month’s ICC meet.

During the meeting, it was found out that 23 state units are compliant with the new BCCI constitution and the administrators are confident of holding the elections to these state units by September 28. Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), it is learnt, is not one among those compliant, just as Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, which had gone to the Supreme Court yesterday.

Lord’s goes for redevelopment


Meanwhile, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) said that the Lord’s Cricket Ground has undertaken redevelopment and the 52-million-pound construction work started yesterday. The milestone marks the start of a two-year redevelopment and the capacity of the iconic ground will now go up to 31,000.

“As part of MCC’s Masterplan for the redevelopment of Lord’s, the twoyear phased construction programme will see the erection of two new threetiered stands, positioned either side of the JP. Morgan Media Centre. The stands will provide significantly enhanced spectator facilities, as well as increased accessibility and amenities,” the MCC said in a release. The work is expected to be complete by 2021World Test Championship final, although the cricket activity will not cease during the period. The renovated Lord’s will be officially unveiled in May 2021.

READ ON APP