End step-motherly treatment, say district officials

NAGPUR: The recognized district associations of the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) have expressed their unhappiness towards the step-motherly treatment being meted out to them. Some members who TOI spoke to feel they don't get the same facilities as compared to Nagpur clubs, and that is affecting the growth of the game in the region.
While most officials sought anonymity, the secretary of the Khamgaon-based Buldhana District Amateur Cricket Association (BDACA), Chadrakant Salunkhe has spoken out against the ban VCA has imposed on him.The VCA has derecognized Salunkhe's association last month for using "unparliamentary" words/language during a meeting at Buldhana last year.
"Despite repeated warnings, the BDACA was not ready resolve their internal disputes. They also used unparliamentary words/language towards VCA officials," reads a paragraph in VCA's annual report.
Salunkhe, however, denied using any foul language. "We had just voiced our concerns. We have been running the association for over two decades and have produced players more than any district, all this despite limited facilities. Players like Shreekant Wagh, Amol Jungade, Amol Ubarhande and others have made VCA proud. If we get this kind of treatment, it's unacceptable to us," Salunkhe told TOI.
He also alleged that the VCA gave a step-motherly treatment to the districts. "Players from Nagpur get sufficient exposure. They have Guzder League, MN Dorairajan Trophy, inter-school age categories tournaments, inter-club summer tournaments. We don't get even an inter-district tournament. VCA had launched Emerging District Programme (EDP) but surprisingly called off after coach Neil D'Costa parted ways with it," he said.
Another district member too echoed the same sentiments. "Five six years back, when Sharad Bhake was district chairman, we used to have inter-district tournaments and also inter-zone meets too. Several players are now playing for Vidarbha. Now they say districts don't have the talent, which is unfair. If Nagpur have so many talented players why were they in the Plate Group for the last 8-9 years? How can you judge the talent without providing them enough opportunities? Last year, not a single tournament was organized," he said.
Another member raised the affiliation issue for the district units. "The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) has 22 affiliated district units while VCA has none. VCA has only recognized units. We are still not members and we don't have voting rights. Why this discrimination? I don't understand. While in-laws and friends of VCA's executive members have got membership, we are being deprived despite keeping the game alive," he said.
A district representative wants to have fixed funds for each of the district. "Is it Nagpur Cricket Association or Vidarbha Cricket Association? Can VCA run the game if it doesn't get funds from the BCCI? They have 22 executive members and 10 of them can supervise the working of each district like Maharashtra government has guardian ministers. It's getting very difficult for us. There should be a fixed policy. The officials change after every three year but tournaments and policies remain intact. Unfortunately, here policies changed with officials. There aren't enough activities for us for the last ten months or so," he said.
When contacted, VCA president Prakash Dixit said, "I don't want to comment on the issue right now. I will definitely speak to the media after the AGM on Sunday."