Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was appointed the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), ending the suspense on who will take over the state cricket body following the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that the announcement of Ganguly was made by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in presence of senior CAB officials and state government ministers at the state secretariat building.
“In another major development, Dalmiya's son Avishek was inducted as one of the two joint secretaries replacing the current incumbent Ganguly. Subir Ganguly will continue as the other joint secretary while Biswarup Dey will continue as treasurer. While the chief minister officially made it clear that it was a decision taken by the CAB officials and she was there to support their bid to take the game of cricket in the state forward, it was apparent that it took government interference to anoint Ganguly in place of the late Dalmiya,” says the report.
"We are going through a big crisis after his (Dalmiya) unfortunate death. Someone has to head CAB. Dalmiya loved cricket so much. So it's important that the people closed to him (should run the show)... cricket family is most important. My only request to all of you that be together, remain united and take the Jaguda's legacy forward," CM Banerjee said with interim sports minister Arup Biswas by her side.
According to a report in The Indian Express, as per the CAB constitution, the association has to call an emergent working committee meeting, giving a three-day notice, which will decide the date of the Special General Meeting (SGM). A 14-day notice is required to hold the SGM and complete the formalities. The constitution allows the CAB 60 days to complete the whole process but, according to Gautam Dasgupta, chairman of the board of trustees, “sooner the better”.
“Now that everything has been finalised, we must do it as early as possible. Maybe we will do it after the T20 international between India and South Africa (to be played at Eden Gardens on October 8),” he said.
The Indian Express report says, Dasgupta, who is the senior-most member in the CAB at the moment, having joined the association in 1977, said Ganguly was the right choice for the post. But as Ganguly returned to Eden Gardens from the state secretariat and went straight to him, the senior administrator gave the younger man a bear hug. “It’s the right choice. He’s (Ganguly) the most competent to take over. Age or experience is not a factor and we will always be by his side to guide him. Sourav will bring in his captaincy acumen to cricket administration” said Dasgupta.
Appointing the president, however, is the CAB’s internal matter. Therefore, the chief minister’s involvement — Aroop Biswas, who is in-charge of the sports portfolio, too was present at today’s meeting — appeared to be a little unusual. “See, Dalmiya’s death has created a leadership vacuum. Someone had to play the lead and the chief minister came forward. I don’t see anything wrong in it. She has made the right choice and the CAB will be in safe hands,” said former joint-secretary Bablu Kolay.
