Convener News Desk
Jammu, July 19: Fresh controversy has erupted within the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) following the publication of its advertisement by the Honorary General Secretary inviting applications for the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Several former cricketers and stakeholders have questioned whether the eligibility criteria have been framed in a manner that could undermine confidence in the recruitment process.
The advertisement has reignited concerns over transparency and governance at a time when the Association remains embroiled in legal proceedings and continues to face scrutiny over its administrative functioning. Critics argue that the eligibility requirements appear unusually specific, raising questions over whether the exercise is intended to identify the most qualified professional through an open and competitive process or to facilitate the appointment of a particular individual.
“The credibility of the process will depend not merely on the final appointment but on whether every eligible candidate is afforded a genuinely equal opportunity,” a former player said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The timing of the advertisement has also drawn attention. It comes amid continuing litigation concerning JKCA’s governance and ongoing public debate over the administration of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir. Stakeholders contend that, in such circumstances, the Association ought to have adopted the highest standards of transparency at every stage of the recruitment process.
Questions have also been raised over the upper age limit of 75 years prescribed in the advertisement. While Rule 31 of the JKCA Constitution does not prescribe either a minimum or maximum age for the Chief Executive Officer, the Constitution imposes a 70-year age cap on Office Bearers, Apex Council members and Councillors. Several stakeholders have sought an explanation for prescribing a higher age limit for such a key executive position when senior appointments in many public institutions ordinarily carry significantly lower retirement ages.
Former players have urged JKCA to disclose the rationale behind the eligibility criteria, make public the methodology adopted for framing the advertisement, and ensure that the selection process is conducted through an independent, transparent and merit-based evaluation.
The same former cricketer further alleged that, following the CEO appointment, the Association may advertise the post of Manager with the intention of accommodating another former tainted cricketer who had earlier faced allegations relating to age fraud. He claimed that the Jammu & Kashmir Police Crime Branch had registered an FIR in connection with the matter. According to him, an age-related petition against the individual was allegedly withdrawn during the tenure of the Sub-Committee by one of its members, despite having no authority or locus to do so, thereby paving the way for the individual’s re-entry into the Association.
He further alleged that the same individual had earlier advocated a two-year ban on a Jammu & Kashmir Under-19 cricketer who had been selected to represent India in the Under-19 Tri-Nation One-Day Series in England in July 2019, with Bangladesh being the third participating team. “When it came to others, strict standards were demanded. But when it came to their own people, a different yardstick was applied. The old saying, ‘You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,’ still appears to define the functioning within JKCA,” he claimed.
The former cricketer also alleged that, despite elected office-bearers now being in place, individuals who exercised administrative control over the Association for nearly five years continue to wield considerable influence behind the scenes, effectively reducing the elected leadership to little more than a rubber stamp.
Several stakeholders cautioned that unless the recruitment process is conducted with complete transparency and fairness, it risks inviting further controversy and eroding public confidence in the administration of cricket in the Union Territory.
JKCA has not publicly responded to these specific concerns. Any clarification or response from the Association would merit equal prominence in the interest of fairness, transparency and balanced reporting.
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