TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Goa Cricket Association President Dr Shekhar Salkar has already lost his grip ahead of the election on June 28 after his panel withdrew their nominations, on Saturday.
However, it was GCA’s co-opted member and MLA of Sanguem Constituency Subhash Phaldesai, who made his grand entry at noon at the GCA headquarters, at Porvorim and convinced both Dr Salkar and his rival Chetan Desai to compromise in the larger interest of the sport.
MLA Phaldesai’s role as a third umpire definitely helped to cool the imbroglio at the cash rich association, for now.
However, Dr Salkar has vouched never to go to court again and settle their differences amongst them.
“There was a lot of bitterness at the GCA and we all felt this had to stop before it could get any worse. I worked in my own interest for the sport,” informed MLA Phaldesai at the press conference along with Dr Salkar.
Although Dr Salkar had the backing of the ruling government, MLA Phaldesai ridiculed claims that he was deployed by the BJP Government to intervene.
MLA Phaldesai presence was felt late after all the theatrics, criticism and damage done to the GCA image but the politician stated: “Before both the factions were confused about their majority. Some clubs approached us and said all this had to stop.”
He further clarified he was not projected by the government in any ways and has acted in his individual capacity with the sole interest of cricket in Goa.
“The major reason for the compromise is to plan and build up the GCA’s international cricket stadium at Bicholim. We shed our egos and supported Chetan Desai and his team. Allegations will definitely stop from our side. Whatever task they give us we are ready to successfully do it,” Phaldesai added.
“We do not have any agenda and we want clean cricket. I convinced our members and they agreed. There were many other candidates who were not in any panels but I spoke to them and they also agreed to corporate,” opined Phaldesai.
The Election Committee headed by Justice (Retd) A.P. Lavande, senior advocate Nitin Sardessai and Rajnikant Lawandis will submit their report to the High Court on Monday. The Supreme Court had directed that the GCA results should be kept on hold until the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court hearing on July 6.
The results may be declared on Tuesday if the two factions come to terms in the court on Monday.
