Politics and cricket are never far apart. And the fuel that runs both is what is commonly called as vitamin M. People get into politics for the power and the affluence; and they get into sports administration for the fame and the name. Both are inextricably linked. But besides the name and the fame associated with running cricket in their particular State or even at the national level, it is the immense money that is generated by the game and a share that comes to the state association’s coffers makes control of this association a lucrative affair as well.
For example a small cricket playing state like Goa gets Rs 50 crore.
This money is supposed to be used for the development of cricket in the country – translated – the money goes to various clubs in the State – most of which are affiliated to political figures.
However, here money becomes a tool for control. The clubs are given money for their development as well as kits and such other paraphernalia and in return, they give the people controlling the GCA their proxy votes. This helps perpetuate the reign of those in power.
The chief of the States in turn makes his contacts at the Centre where his vote is crucial for people to win at the BCCI level.
If the elections are a canter, the rewards can even be a couple of crores and in case it is a tight finish then they are obviously much higher.
Today, the GCA is controlled by the group led by Vinod Balu Phadke, once close to former GCA chief Dayanand Narvekar. He was the secretary at the time of the infamous ticketgate scam.
He is facing criminal charges and has also been indicted by the Justice Pendse Commission of Inquiry.
His opponent is Dr Shekhar Salkar, the anti-tobacco activist and longtime GCA member and the man who got Phadke elected by ousting Dayanand Narvekar. Salkar and Narvekar had always been at loggerheads.
But later on, Salkar with the obvious backing of BJP spin doctor Satish Dhond and the not so hidden hand of Chief Minister Parrikar, managed the crucial ten signatures to topple Narvekar. The Goa Ranji trophy cricket team has never seen such minute preparation to win matches and tournaments.
According to insiders, Phadke and Salkar function like a law unto themselves though they are bitter rivals now.
Right form purchases to selections. They are the kings. It is the managing committee that selects the team and not the selection committee.
Also there have been allegations of major financial irregularities with purchases of material for almost double the cost. Insiders point fingers at the alleged inflated cost of lights at the Porvorim stadium and say that it is on hotel rooms that a lot of the money manipulations are done.
In fact, according to insiders, last year the majority of the members refused to sign the accounts before the general body and in apparently compromise move, the treasurer was removed and another was appointed in his place.
The old one was supposed to be Subhash Shirodkar’s man while the new one is supposed to have links to Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai.
However, even though they don’t have a majority Vinod Phadke, Secretary Chetan Dessai and five others were still taking decision.
The GCA, though an autonomous body, is steeped in politics. Its activities become Calling Attention Motions in the Goa Assembly where MLAs are told that the Pendse Commission report is accepted by the government and its recommendations are accepted and would be implemented.
The GCA even makes it to the BJP National Executive Committee meeting, the same one in June 2013, where Narendra Modi was appointed the BJP Campaign Committee chief. On the sidelines of that meeting, Dr Shekhar Salkar roped in Satish Dhond and a meeting was held with BJP leader and the President of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, Anurag Thakur in a bid to dethrone the then president Dayanand Narvekar and anoint Dr Salkar as president.
Today, Vinod Phadke finds himself in the same position as Dayanand Narvekar.
Narvekar during his time was a one-man show, say insiders and all those in the committee now were his lieutenants. Shekhar Salkar was always against him. When Parrikar government came to power, the Pendse report was accepted and the full government machinery was put against Narvekar.
2 judgments given went against Narvekar and Narvekar thrown out of GCA.
Now, is it Phadke’s turn? Well as sure as it happens in cricket, overs change and so do captains. Perhaps that is the only semblance of similarity the Goa Cricket Association has with cricket.
