'Parent' BCCI should control DDCA functioning - Mudgal

[Malcolm Merlyn]

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Justice Mukul Mudgal, appointed by the Delhi High Court to oversee conduct of matches in New Delhi during the World T20 and IPL this year, has suggested that the BCCI should appoint an ad-hoc committee and appoint a full-time officer to run the controversy-ridden Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA).

"It is advisable the DDCA has a full-time CEO who independently looks after the administration and financial aspect of the association to ensure continuity and smooth functioning," Mudgal noted in a 27-page report - which was viewed by ESPNcricinfo - to the court, which records his findings, observations and recommendations. "The current state of affairs in DDCA requires the scrutiny of BCCI.

"It is for BCCI to decide whether to constitute a specialised ad-hoc body or a committee to take over and manage the affairs of DDCA to improve the situation in DDCA in the interest of cricket so that Feroz Shah Kotla again becomes a venue which has international standards to upkeep."

 

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DDCA netted 7 crore profit during WT20

The Mudgal report has revealed that the DDCA earned approximately INR 7 crore (as per provisional Income and Expenditure of accounts) from the World T20 matches played at Feroz Shah Kotla. The report also stated that that figure was likely to increase once the BCCI would reimburse DDCA expenses against hosting ICC guests.

The report asked the Delhi High Court to make sure this "large profit" is not "frittered away" and utilised properly.

"It is advisable that the said amount is utilised for improving the stadium facilities and cricket facilities under the supervision of an independent financial expert of credible reputation with the assistance of a specilaised team of dedicated DDCA official constituted by BCCI."

This is the second time this year Mudgal has exposed DDCA's shortcomings. In January, Mudgal had prepared a damning report pointing towards "numerous deficiencies" based on his work as a court-appointed observer for the fourth Test of the India-South Africa series in December 2015.

Just as he had done during that assignment, Mudgal, who was assisted by IP Singh, former deputy Comptroller & Auditor General of India, carried out a diligent analysis of every committee and every activity conducted by the DDCA listing out the minutiae.

"The recommendations made in the present report and all my earlier reports are not exhaustive for improving the state of affairs at DDCA," he observed. "Several complaints were received regarding the selection process of players during my tenure at DDCA, which requires a thorough investigation by an independent person or body. The proxy system is the bane of Delhi Cricket and subject to other legal requirements deserves to be jettisoned.

"Some of the office bearers and the executive committee Member of DDCA only act for their own personal gains and for maintaining their relationship at the expense of DDCA. It is a pity that the coaches, players, vendors and employees of DDCA are not paid on time. The office bearers, executive committee member and the sports working committee members of DDCA should be concerned for improving the cricket facilities in the city of Delhi."

According to Mudgal, the BCCI, as a "parent body" must ensure that DDCA "is transparent in its functioning as it is a public body responsible for promoting cricket in the city of Delhi". The report categorically listed the various grey areas related to tendering, accounts and finance, administration, player selections and ticketing and accreditation.

Mudgal said he was also surprised at the association's dependency on last-minute permissions and preparations to host matches despite receiving BCCI affiliation in 1928. He also pointed out that the association could function smoothly, like his team had shown during their recent assignments, if the right processes were applied.

The report specified that the World T20 matches were played with "proper certification" from various civic and government bodies for the first time in contrast to the desperate dash to seek provisional certificates which had become a norm over the last few years.

Mudgal pointed out that the most "controversial aspect" of his tenure as a DDCA observer was ticketing and accreditation. "It was noticed that several unwanted and unnecessary accreditation cards were being issued to various person at the behest of the office bearers of DDCA."

Mudgal also said it was "extremely disheartening" to note that the DDCA's administration department had not updated records of all players representing the state at various tournaments. "The lists of women players were made for the first time in the history of DDCA during World T20 matches."

Among other areas, Mudgal said the association blatantly abused rights to issue parking passes during matches by citing a personal example. "When IPL-9 started neither I nor any of my associates was given the Parking ticket," he stated. "On being asked why the parking ticket was not sent to me, Mr Subhash Sharma, member of the Security Committee, said that all the passes have been consumed by the Executive Committee Members and hence no pass was left for the person who was appointed as an observer by this Hon'ble Court."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/1033859.html