Kolkata: Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to appoint former Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, as administrator of the association, saying it would extend full cooperation and abide by his directions.Addressing a press conference at the BCA office, governing council member and convener Gyaneshwar Gautam said the association would work with all its district units and move forward in accordance with the apex court’s order.“Yesterday, the Supreme Court appointed an Administrator for the Bihar Cricket Association. We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court and appeal to all our colleagues in the districts (of Bihar) that we will move forward together, step by step, and continue our work,” Gautam said.The appointment follows the Supreme Court’s intervention in matters concerning the administration and functioning of BCA. Recent reports have linked the proceedings to complaints of irregularities in the association’s electoral and administrative affairs.Gautam said BCA would accept the administrator’s findings and decisions on the allegations raised against the association. “Whatever allegations of irregularities have been made against us will be investigated, and after the investigation, whatever decision is taken by the Administrator, we will welcome it,” he said.BCA also sought to dispel reports circulating in sections of the media that the association would have to conduct its elections afresh. Gautam categorically rejected the reports, saying there was no such direction to hold another election in the court order.“Some media houses have carried a report that the Bihar Cricket Association election is to be held again, whereas there is no such thing,” he stated.BCA also clarified that reports identifying Aditya Verma as the petitioner in the Supreme Court matter were incorrect. Gautam said Verma was not the petitioner and made allegations against him, referring to a number of cases involving alleged financial transactions. The allegations, however, were not the principal focus of Friday’s press conference.With the Supreme Court order of Aug 20 yet to be uploaded on the apex court’s official website, the BCA’s statements at Friday’s media briefing currently provide the association’s account of the appointment and its implications.BCA said it would continue its work and remain focused on promoting talented cricketers in Bihar while extending cooperation to the newly appointed administrator, who also served as the acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court.
