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Cuttack: As the 16-year rule of Asirbad Behera, secretary of Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) is over with the final verdict of the Supreme Court all eyes are now on his successor.
Not only Behera, almost all members of OCA including its president Ranjib Biswal would be relieved of their post as per the order of the apex court.
Rumours are flying thick and fast that Behera would either propose the name of his son Sanjay Behera or one of his closest associates for the coveted post.
Behera, who took charge as OCA secretary on June 25, 2000, has been elected uncontested for the fourth time in a row. Not only OCA, he was in total control of cricket in Odisha from Barabati Stadium.
Asked about the next secretary of the Association, OCA Treasurer Satya Mohanty said the name of the OCA secretary’s son is doing the rounds. “The OCA secretary has not announced that his son will contest for the post of secretary. Time will tell would be the OCA secretary. There is nothing to worry about as the vacant post will be filled up eventually,” he pointed out.
He, however, said a state of uncertainty has prevailed in the entire cricket fraternity in the country following the verdict of the Supreme Court which sacked the BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke from their post as per the recommendations of the Lodha Committee on Monday. “The Supreme Court has made it clear that the members of the state cricket associations, who have not adhered to Lodha Committee’s recommendations, will be relieved of their posts with immediate effect,” he added.
To a question on whether OCA was backing the BCCI president, Mohanty said not only OCA, but all state cricket associations had supported the BCCI president as he was fighting for their autonomy.
OCA president Ranjib Biswal said prior to the Supreme Court verdict, the OCA members were treated as democratically elected representatives. “Now that the recommendations of the Lodha Committee will be implemented, OCA will have a fresh election and new members will be elected,” he added.
While the election is most likely to be held in February, the exact date of election would be made known at the emergency meeting of the Association.
In the OCA elections, members of all 33 district cricket associations, 20 clubs, 10 schools, 5 colleges and 4 ex-officio members will take part in the election.
