Team Herald
PANJIM: Following serious allegations by cricketer Shadab Jakati, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Saturday demanded the resignation of Goa Cricket Association (GCA) President Suraj Lotlikar.
GPCC also demanded that an inquiry be conducted into the allegations made by Jakati stating that Goans should be given preference as far as sports is concerned.
Addressing the media, GPCC spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar said, “We condemn GCA’s decision of signing outstation players like Mohammad Asaduddin and Verma to play for the Ranji Trophy while keeping aside three good players namely Shadab Jakati and Swapnil Asnodkar who have played for the Ranji Trophy and for the Indian Premier league (IPL) and Saurabh Bandekar who have brought name to Goa.”
He added, “The outstation players couldn’t be called professionals as they did not have any record. The outstation players should be role models to the other players so that the Goan youth can learn from them. However, we do not know on what basis they have been selected. Players should be selected based on their talent.”
Panjikar also asked how a political party treasurer can be the president of a sports body stating that it looks like a scam.
GPPC has demanded that a committee comprising of government officials and police be constituted to investigate the issue.
