Former Ranji players lash out at BCA for not offering them membership

Vadodara: Around 18 former Ranji players from the city on Tuesday said injustice was meted out to them during the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) AGM on Sunday as the members supporting the Revival Group rejected their demand to make them members of the association.

"In 2013, former first-class players were promised BCA membership during the polls. The new managing committee too had discussed the issue but nothing moved forward," said Satyajit Parab, a former Baroda Ranji player.

The ex-cricketers seemed upset as they felt that even other former players, who are members, present in the AGM didn't support them.

"The Royal Group supporters were positive when the demand came up. But those supporting the Revival Group didn't agree to it. It is unfortunate as former players are not being made members of the association when many non-cricketers are already members," said Connor Williams, ex-Ranji player. Williams said that he is a BCA member but he came out in support of his colleagues who are yet to be offered membership.

Former India woman player, Mangala Babar too lashed out at the BCA management and said that it never considered offering membership to women players like her. "We have also played for India then why are we not given membership? I was humiliated last year when the management removed me from the selection committee without giving any reason," Mangala said.

Former India wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia and ex-Baroda pacer Rakesh Patel too supported the demand of offering membership to all retired first-class players from the BCA. Ex-Ranji player, Sangram Barot said that there over 100 retired Ranji players who are yet to be granted membership by the BCA despite the managing committee having the necessary powers.

"We are fully committed to giving membership to all the former Ranji players and it will happen in due course. What happened during the AGM was due to negativity and chaos but no one is against the membership of these players," said Snehal Parikh, BCA (in-charge) secretary.