PANJIM: It’s a rare occasion to witness peaceful elections! Be it political or sports now, there hasn’t been any difference anymore. Elections in sports association and sports bodies run on political line. Most problems, controversies, issues, crisis spike up only during the elections and the same situation has risen in the Goa Cricket Association.
After the disqualification of certain members, Sarvodaya Sporting Club took to the press and lashed out at the GCA and Dr M Modassir, Electoral Officer for ‘being bias’ towards those who are in power in Goa Cricket Association.
“The nomination papers of Suraj Lotlikar, incumbent President has been accepted by the Electoral Officer. It was submitted that Lotlikar has been member of the managing committee from 2012-2014, and subsequently became Vice President from 2014-15 and then again for the 2015-18 term. Subsequent to the judgement of the Supreme Court on January 1, 2017, Lotlikar took over as the President and is the incumbent President of the GCA in 2017. Lotlikar has completed 6 years and is thus disqualified by the judgements of the Supreme Court dated July 18, 2016, January 1, 2017 and August 9, 2018 as well as the constitution of the GCA,” stated a press note released by Sarvodaya Sporting Club.
The Club later alleged that the COA has permitted to participate and vote in the elections but the electoral officer refused to accept the decision.
Further the statement reads, “The nomination of Vilas Dessai for the post of President has been rejected on the ground that there are dues.
Further, this has not been displayed on the website as is mandated by the justice lodha committee, hence cannot be considered the ground at all.”
Sarvodaya SC alleged that Geno SC President Dilip Salgaonkar’s nomination was rejected by the EC on the basis that Dilip wasn’t the President of the club “Mischievously, the records of the Goa Cricket Association noted that Sunil Azgaonkar was the president and one Sujit Rane was the secretary on the Electoral Officer’s list.”
The Club also alleged that certain members despite having corrupt practices were also considered.
Refuting all the claims a section of GCA members on Friday addressed the press.
Ketan Bhatikar, Co-opted member and a life member of GCA said, “There is no proxy system. The elections are held as per the norms of Committee of Administration (COA). There is nothing wrong here.”
“There have been no mollified intentions. GCA has all the records of the issues they are raising,” explained Ketan in the presence of Sushant Naik, President of United Cricket Club; Rupesh Naik, Paramount Sports Club, Secretary, Yatin Kamurlekar, New Vaddem Sport Club and Vijay Khokamkar, Visual Link Cricketers, President.
Ketan also alleged that Shirish Naik isn’t a Ranji cricketer and challenged the later and said, “We challenge him to prove himself for which term he was the general secretary or president of GCA and for which year he played Ranji cricket.”
When asked about Vilas’ case, Ketan explained and said, “Vilas Dessai had a due balance of Rs 5 lakh, and a notice was sent in 2017. If incase it was fake they should have sent notice that time.”
Speaking about Suraj’s case, Ketan said that during the scrutiny none objected. Ketan stressed that the entire association should work together for the development of cricket instead of blaming each other.
“We have a clear majority and we are sure to sweep the elections. We have a support of 90-95 clubs and our major issue is to have a good stadium and we are working towards it,” explained Ketan.
