By IANS,
New Delhi : Former India Test captain and spin stalwart Bishan Singh Bedi joined forces Thursday in slamming Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for the Kotla pitch fiasco and demanded the sack of the sports committee.
Bedi said the sports committee was the root cause of all problems.
“The sports committee was formed to look after the local leagues only, but not to take decisions on important matters. It is a superfluous committee and should be dismissed immediately. It is the root cause of all problems,” Bedi said at a press conference held jointly with former Test cricketer Kirti Azad.
Bedi said it would be a huge loss for the local cricketers and fans if Ferozeshah Kotla is banned from hosting international matches.
“I strongly feel that the person responsible must be brought to the book. Otherwise such things may happen again in future,” said the 63-year-old former left-arm spinner.
“I don’t want to name anyone. There are some elements in the board who are calling the shots and harming the game. This situation should change,” he said.
“A ban would harm cricket before 2011 World Cup. Now we should look forward to improving the situation.”
Bedi said he had a meeting with DDCA president Arun Jaitley.
“I am meeting him again on January 2. He is likely to set up a cricket improvement committee, where several former cricketers would be involved.”
Asked that DDCA made similar promises when some top Delhi players, including Virender Sehwag, protested against the sports committee’s misrule, Bedi said: “In this case, we should hope for the best.”
“Let us see what happens this time. I have never compromised in my life and would not do so this time also. Two things have to be eliminated from the DDCA. One is proxy voting, and then the sports committee,” he said.
Azad, who Tuesday claimed that he was insulted in DDCA’s Annual General Meeting for raising serious questions, said he will continue his fight against the association. He also organised a protest rally Wednesday evening.
“We will see what comes out after Bedi’s meeting with Jaitley. We will continue our stir. In the second week of January, around 10,000 people will assemble at the India Gate lawns for a protest rally against the DDCA,” Azad said.