CHENNAI: Hours before hosting a first-ever Test, the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) has run into a 'date of birth' controversy, and a game of proving each other wrong.
The Cricket Association of Bihar secretary Aditya Verma has accused the JSCA of falsely writing in its logo '1935' as foundation year. He has brought this to the attention of the court-appointed committee of administrators (CoA) running BCCI.
The JSCA says it has done no wrong, because that's when the erstwhile Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) was formed. Officials claim that they do this because JSCA became a BCCI affiliate in 2003, replacing BCA. On tickets for the India-Australia Test, there is a JSCA logo with 1935 written under it.
“When the BCCI gave affiliation to JSCA in 2003 and disaffiliated BCA, the new body became the custodian of the game in the region. It's like an extension of the old body. That's why we mention 1935 as the year of foundation of our association,” JSCA secretary Debashish Chakrabarty said on Tuesday.
However, there's another body called BCA recognised by BCCI, as an associate member (without voting rights). This association gets an annual grant of `50 lakh and plays in the tournament for associate members. It also writes 1935 as year of foundation in its official website. This means the BCCI recognises two associations that use the foundation date of a body which has long been disaffiliated.
“The JSCA's geographical area of operation is smaller than it was under the old BCA. So it can't claim to be an extension of BCA. Using 1935 is an attempt create a false impression that they run the game in the region. In reality, they only cater to the State of Jharkhand. Bihar remains separate,” said Verma.
Affiliation of associations of Bihar has remained a prickly issue for BCCI ever since JSCA got official status in 2003. There are several entities claiming to be the bonafide Bihar body, including the one Verma represents.
atreyo@newindianexpress.com