Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has written a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Acting President CK Khanna, Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary and Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry over Committee of Administrators (CoA) and sexual harassment allegations against Rahul Johri. In a letter addressed to BCCI, Ganguly, who also happens to be the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), presented his views regarding various issues. #MeToo in Cricket: BCCI CEO Rahul Johri Accused of Sexual Assault.
Ganguly also wrote about the recent sexual harassment allegations made against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and how the board handled it. Besides it, the former cricketer also criticised the board for the sudden change of rules in domestic rules as per CoA’s directions. Ganguly is also the head of the BCCI’s technical committee.
“I write this mail to you all with the deep sense of fear as to where Indian cricket administration is going. Having played the game for a long period of time, where our lives were ruled by winning and losing, and the image of Indian cricket was of paramount importance to us, we wake up looking at how our cricket is faring even now,” wrote Ganguly. BCCI CEO Rahul Johri Goes on a Leave Amid #MeToo Allegations
“But with deep sense of worry, (I used the word worry) I beg to state that the way things have gone in the last couple of years, the authority of Indian cricket to the world and the love and belief of millions of fans is on the way down.
I don’t know how far it’s true, but the recent reports of harassment has really made the BCCI look poor, more so the way it has been handled. The committee of COA from four has come down to two and now the two seems to be divided,” he added.
Former cricketer and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly writes to BCCI Acting President CK Khanna, Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary and Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry over Committee of Administrators (CoA) and sexual harassment allegations against Rahul Johri. pic.twitter.com/iAh8o7ECXz
— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2018
“Cricketing rules are changed in the middle of a season, which has never been heard off. Decisions made in committees are turned around with complete disrespect. One of my friends who is involved in matters relating to functioning of board asked me who should they go to (for a problem), I had no answer. I had to ask who should I invite for an international game from a particular association as I did not know what was going on
“Indian cricket with its massive following has been built over the years of hard work from superb administrators and greatest of cricketers who have managed to bring thousands of fans to the ground. I at the present moment, think it’s in danger. Hope people are listening,” the former captain signed off.
As of now, CoA headed by Vinod Rai has made no comments in response to Ganguly’s letter, neither has BCCI made any official statement in this regard. Interestingly, a few days back the Acting Secretary of the BCCI Amitabh Choudhary had accused CoA Chairman Rai of taking unilateral decisions in dealing with sexual misconduct charges against Johri. And, now Ganguly has pressed upon the same as well.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 30, 2018 06:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).