Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association was embroiled in another controversy with its own vice-president, Rakesh Mishra, raising the issue of appointments of support staff and the alleged excessive expenditure on them during a recent meeting of the association’s apex council.Talking to TOI, Mishra confirmed that he indeed raised some crucial issues, without divulging details. His objections came at a time when the UPCA is already under scrutiny over issues ranging from betting controversies in district leagues and outstanding payments linked to Green Park Stadium to the debate over the venue for the upcoming UP T20 League.According to highly placed sources, Mishra reportedly raised the issue of the spending by the association of over Rs 5.5 crore on support staff for its men’s and women’s age-group teams despite limited success on the field during the domestic season. UPCA president Nidhipat Singhania and secretary Prem Manohar Gupta were reportedly present at the apex council meeting where Mishra raised these issues.The UPCA president reportedly said that, as the association’s vice-president, Mishra should examine the matter and ensure that any irregularities were addressed.Mishra reportedly claimed that the appointments were made in an arbitrary manner and that there was no transparency in the selection process.“What is the procedure for appointing support staff, and who is responsible for making these appointments?” he asked.He also raised questions about the eligibility criteria and asked whether advertisements were published for various positions. He also sought to know who decides the remuneration for the support staff. “I’ve raised many other serious issues to be addressed for the betterment of the game and the association itself,” Mishra said.Mishra also expressed surprise over not being informed about ‘Speed Hunt’, the association’s talent hunt programme.Speaking to TOI, Mishra said that ‘the positive outcome of those objections will be visible soon’.UPCA secretary Prem Manohar Gupta did not comment on the proceedings of the meeting or the issues raised by Mishra.Gupta, however, clarified his stand on Speed Hunt, saying that everyone was informed about the programme.“It was widely advertised and attracted nearly 10,000 players. It was an open trial because we did not want any influence from academies or coaches that could defeat the very purpose of the trials. We will soon hold a camp for the selected players,” Gupta said, adding that fielding camps would also be organised across all age categories.Meanwhile, former UP minister and ex-Ranji cricketer Mohsin Raza backed Mishra and said, “I’ve been raising the issue of financial embezzlement in the UPCA for quite a long time. I am now all set to hit the roads, demanding the BCCI’s and the govt’s intervention for corrective measures in the interest of the state’s players. A handful of people in the UPCA are deciding everything, right from who to appoint and at what salary. Generally, they appoint only their confidants to these posts.”He added, “For the past 15-16 years, the BCCI has given the UPCA crores of rupees. If you add it all up, the amount comes to around ₹1,600 crore. If an account of this money is demanded, they will have to bring it into the public domain.”He also alleged that the same set of administrators and players has been ruling the roost for the past 15 years without producing any results.
