Former HCA Secretary T Shesh Narayan says 'certain elements' are trying to disrupt the TG20 League by questioning its permissions, following legal notices sent by the TCA to celebrities endorsing the 'illegal' and 'unapproved' tournament.
Former Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) Secretary and spokesperson T Shesh Narayan said that "certain people" are trying to disrupt the ongoing HCA TG20 League by raising objections about permissions, adding that there are "certain elements within the state" who are indulging in activities detrimental to the interest of HCA.
Narayan's comments come after the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA), earlier this month, issued legal notices to actors Vijay Deverakonda and Venkatesh Daggubati, along with cricketers Mohammed Siraj, Ambati Rayudu and Tilak Varma, over their association with the TG20 League, alleging that the tournament is being conducted without mandatory approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). TCA General Secretary Gurava Reddy had said the association has objected to celebrities endorsing what it described as an "illegal" and "unapproved" league being organised by the HCA.
HCA Defends TG20 League Amidst Allegations
Now, Shesh Narayan said that some people in the state are acting against the interests of the HCA. He stated that the HCA, as a founding member of the BCCI, functions under a constitution approved by the Supreme Court, and any changes to the rules or structure can only be made with the court's permission. "There are certain elements within the state who are indulging in activities detrimental to the interest of Hyderabad Cricket Association. Hyderabad Cricket Association is a founder member of BCCI, and as per the constitution of BCCI or HCA, both have been endorsed and given by the Honourable Supreme Court based on 9th August 2018. So, we do not have any control on the constitution, any amendment to that either BCCI or HCA can only go with the leave of the Supreme Court, that is very categorically stated in the last clause," he told ANI.
Shesh Narayan further said some people are misusing the situation to disrupt the TG20 League by questioning its permissions. He added that if anyone has issues with the BCCI, they should take it up with the board. "But certain people are taking undue advantage and they try to disrupt the TG20, claiming that there is no permission and all. If they have grievance against BCCI, they can go fight with BCCI and all and because of the, what you call the constitutional provisions which gives them freedom of speech, right to say whatever, they have been making all kind of statements and making allegations and all, which is not a part of our agenda, our agenda is to conduct the tournament, matches and other things. Rest of the things, there are agencies to take care of," he said.
HCA Claims Financial Loss, Vows Legal Action
He said the issue in Hyderabad could spread to other states if not stopped early. He mentioned that the HCA has already filed a police complaint and is considering legal action, claiming it has suffered financial losses due to legal notices. He also said some sponsors have withdrawn, but insisted that the TG20 League remains highly successful. "This is happening in Hyderabad; it will happen in other states also. It will spread like cancer if it is not nipped in the bud. So we have already registered a police complaint in Uppal about a week, 10 days back and we are also looking at judicial options, how to, Hyderabad Cricket Association has suffered about 10 to 15 crores because of stupid legal notices issued through some unknown lawyer claiming to be a lawyer and all and some franchises and all, they would not like to get entangled into any legal litigations and all," he said.
"And some sponsors also have backed out, but then end of the day, TG20 is one of the most successful and I am, I can say undoubtedly this is the best in the entire country. I have seen, Tamil Nadu, I have seen the response that has come because Hyderabad has got special flavour for cricket and love for the game and we are also given a lot of cricketers," he added. (ANI)
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