The Observers Appointed By The BCCI Visits Sikkim
The Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (COA) had decided to appoint observers for 10 state bodies to oversee the functioning of the associations, as well as to guide them in cricketing matters.
The BCCI Observers are given six terms of reference and such being as follows:
- To observe and guide the SICA in all cricket administration activities.
- To observe and guide the cricket operations team in formulating local cricket activities.
- To act as an observer in all the selection committee meetings.
- To assist the SCA in preparing youth development programs for boys and girls.
- To act as a facilitator between the SICA and BCCI cricket operations team.
- To act as facilitators between the SICA and BCCI finance observer.
The BCCI Observers Team is headed by Suru Nayak (Observer – Cricket Operations), a former Indian Test player; Anshuman Upadhyay (Observer – Anti Corruption Unit), a former member of The Intelligence Organization and The Prime Minister’s Security and Raghavendra Patankar, (Observer – Finance and Accounts), who is also the manager of Finance and Accounts of the BCCI in Mumbai.
The Officials visited Sikkim between 3rd October 2019 to 6th October 2019, as a part of their official tour as the BCCI Observers. They held several meetings with The Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA) Office Bearers, Support Staff and Executives. Wherein Suru Nayak discussed several key topics with The SICA like Cricket administration activities, manners of formulating local cricket activities, assistance as far as a youth development program for boys and girls of the state of Sikkim.
Anshuman Upadhyay sensitized the SICA on the workings of his unit and discussed several issues that were being observed in the other parts of the country as far cricket and its ancillary activities were concerned. He also highlighted the importance of promoting domestic and north-eastern regional tournaments while offering insight on various external and internal elements that could come in conflict with the requirement and rules of the BCCI.
A financial management meeting was also held where Raghvendra Patnakar, wherein he explained several aspects of management of budget keeping in mind the requirements of operating a cricket association and the logistics of participating in the various cricket tournaments all across India.
The SICA executives also communicated several challenges and difficulties that it is facing and how it is hopeful that those would be met with the help and guidance of the BCCI.
On the 6th of October 2019, the observer and his team along with the SICA Office Bearers visited the Mining Cricket Ground where phase one of the SICA ground development work is in progress. The BCCI officials were extremely happy with the ground development work as well as the administration of Cricket in Sikkim. The presentation was also given by the architect before the observers and the SICA officials showcasing the proposed Stadium at Mining Cricket Ground, where there were various suggestions made by the observers towards the planned ground development program.
“The moment I entered the ground I was very impressed with the ground, As well as what SICA has done in the last several years and totally agree that in this kind of a wicket you can play first-class cricket with the improvement of the stadium which will happen with the 2nd and 3rd phase of the ground development program,” The BCCI Observer Suru Nayak said.
The observers will be visiting the state on a regular basis to check the various cricketing activities and guide the Association for the development of cricket in the State and smooth functioning.