JAIPUR: In an unexpected move, Vaibhav Gehlot resigned from the post of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) president on Monday. His decision to step down was partially triggered by the ‘unethical and hostile’ move by the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) to seal the state cricket association’s office and the academy, along with the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) cricket ground on Friday.
To save state’s cricket from this situation, I voluntarily resign from the post: Vaibhav
The upheaval in the association has surfaced with less than a month left for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to begin. The Jaipur-based franchise, Rajasthan Royals, are scheduled to play three home games at the SMS Stadium in the first phase between March 26 and April 6.
An interim president will be appointed in a couple of days, sources said.
“I have always worked for the betterment of cricket in the state and that was why I was re-elected to serve a second term as the RCA president. But the new govt has been hostile towards the association and has been carrying out an investigation after the five-year term of the MoU between RCA and RSSC ended,” Vaibhav said in a statement.
He added that the RCA office was hastily locked. “Now they are trying to create an atmosphere of mistrust in the RCA by targeting me. There is an attempt to spoil the atmosphere in the state,” he alleged.
The MoU, which was last renewed on Feb 22, 2018, between the two bodies expired on February 21. Under the MoU, the RCA could make use of the SMS cricket ground along with the north and south blocks of the stadium which belong to RSSC.
Gehlot said cricket and IPL would suffer because of the crisis. “To save the state’s cricket and players from this situation, I voluntarily resign from the post of RCA president,” he said.
The 43-year-old also stated that he had come to know that a no-confidence motion had been moved against him. “All I can say is that no officer or member of the RCA discussed anything about it with me nor expressed disagreement on any issue,” he said.
According to sources, 30 district cricket associations out of 33 ganged up against Gehlot. The sports council had also written to the concerned bank to freeze the RCA’s accounts over non-payment of Rs 5 crore.
Former CM Gehlot said Vaibhav resigned from his post after being upset with the state govt’s behaviour. “He has resigned because he was upset with the behaviour of the govt. There was no need to bring a no-confidence motion. If the govt itself had expressed its sentiment that we want you to step down, he would have resigned,” he said.
“It’s all politics. Since the govt has changed, they want to capture RCA. They have no feelings for cricket. Had it been so, they would have taken a proper course of action. The action taken (against RCA) cannot be called appropriate,” the former CM said.
To save state’s cricket from this situation, I voluntarily resign from the post: Vaibhav
The upheaval in the association has surfaced with less than a month left for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to begin. The Jaipur-based franchise, Rajasthan Royals, are scheduled to play three home games at the SMS Stadium in the first phase between March 26 and April 6.
An interim president will be appointed in a couple of days, sources said.
“I have always worked for the betterment of cricket in the state and that was why I was re-elected to serve a second term as the RCA president. But the new govt has been hostile towards the association and has been carrying out an investigation after the five-year term of the MoU between RCA and RSSC ended,” Vaibhav said in a statement.
He added that the RCA office was hastily locked. “Now they are trying to create an atmosphere of mistrust in the RCA by targeting me. There is an attempt to spoil the atmosphere in the state,” he alleged.
The MoU, which was last renewed on Feb 22, 2018, between the two bodies expired on February 21. Under the MoU, the RCA could make use of the SMS cricket ground along with the north and south blocks of the stadium which belong to RSSC.
Gehlot said cricket and IPL would suffer because of the crisis. “To save the state’s cricket and players from this situation, I voluntarily resign from the post of RCA president,” he said.
The 43-year-old also stated that he had come to know that a no-confidence motion had been moved against him. “All I can say is that no officer or member of the RCA discussed anything about it with me nor expressed disagreement on any issue,” he said.
According to sources, 30 district cricket associations out of 33 ganged up against Gehlot. The sports council had also written to the concerned bank to freeze the RCA’s accounts over non-payment of Rs 5 crore.
Former CM Gehlot said Vaibhav resigned from his post after being upset with the state govt’s behaviour. “He has resigned because he was upset with the behaviour of the govt. There was no need to bring a no-confidence motion. If the govt itself had expressed its sentiment that we want you to step down, he would have resigned,” he said.
“It’s all politics. Since the govt has changed, they want to capture RCA. They have no feelings for cricket. Had it been so, they would have taken a proper course of action. The action taken (against RCA) cannot be called appropriate,” the former CM said.