TG20 is not a financially viable event, says Arshad Ayub

Former India cricketer Arshad Ayub criticised TG20 as financially unviable and questioned HCA’s governance. He urged elected representation in the Governing Council and called for an early AGM, highlighting concerns over administration and use of external consultants

Hyderabad: Former India cricketer and ex-president of Hyderabad Cricket Association, Arshad Ayub, said that the Governing Council for the TG20 being organised by the HCA should have its members elected at the Annual General Meeting and anyone else should not be appointed.

Arshad, addressing the media here on Monday along with former HCA Secretaries K John Manoj and T Seshnarayan, said that even if this norm were to be flouted, the Governing Council should at least have two members elected by the general body.

“And, the TG20 is not a financially viable project. Most State Associations have incurred losses in trying to set up their own T20 League. So, why is the HCA going for this league now and, instead of using in-house expertise, why are the administrators appointing outside consultants for the conduct of the league,” Arshad said.

Arshad appealed to the HCA Secretary Jeevan Reddy to convene the AGM at the earliest so that a proper system of administration can be restored.

Speaking under the banner of ‘Cricket First’, Arshad said cricket had become the least priority for the administrators and that it was painful to see norms being repeatedly violated.

“In fact, violating the HCA bye-laws which have been approved by the Supreme Court is a violation of the orders of the highest court of India itself,” he said.

The former India off-spinner also questioned the logic in starting the leagues during peak summer without the appointment of selectors.

T Seshnarayan said that the clubs, which are the stakeholders in the HCA, should be given the development fund.

He said that the Supreme Court had approved the expansion of the Apex Council but unfortunately it had not been implemented by the HCA, thereby denying the formation of a more meaningful body.

For his part, John Manoj felt that there were more experienced people in the HCA whose expertise could have been utilised for the proper conduct of the league matches. “There are many former international and first-class cricketers who are ready to serve the game without seeking any monetary benefits in the interest of the game and welfare of the players,” he said.