AGA turns into battleground, accused of irregularities

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 22

Local reputed cricketers of national and international repute have come forward against Pardeep Saini, secretary of the Amritsar Gaming Association (AGA), blaming him for “malpractices”.

Around 20 senior players, led by cricketer Harvinder Singh, who have played 16 One Day International (ODI) matches and three Tests, alleged that the office-bearers of the AGA were non-cricketers who had been “misusing” their power to convert the AGA heritage club into a leisure place. They said the AGA didn’t recognise their complaints as they didn’t have membership of the AGA. As per the rule, every cricketer, who has played national or Ranji Trophy, becomes the member of the local association, they said.

Harvinder Singh said, “The former players are now united against the wrongdoings of the AGA office-bearers. We have given a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner to implement the constitution of the AGA. The cricket in the city has been suffering due to the AGA’s policies.”

The players alleged that the AGA gave its ground to a film company on rent for Rs 50,000 for three months. “A gymnasium has been converted into a card room. The heritage club has been turned into a bar. The area for net practice has been converted into a car parking. There is a proposal to lease a portion of the land to a hotel which has been reserved for the indoor cricket academy. The AGA hasn’t awarded any of the best players for the last four years. The dressing room is in pathetic condition. The water pump is lying defunct. The ground doesn’t have water cooler,” they said.

According to Harvinder Singh, the clerks of the AGA are drawing a salary of Rs 22,000 per month while the coaches are being paid only Rs 3,500. “The AGA is not collecting the rent from the tenants and also not paying for the sports equipment, catering and other shops. The office-bearers pressurise the selectors to select players recommended by them,” they said.

Harvider Singh alleged that Pardeep Saini had been threatening to implicate them in false cases for raising voice against him. “We will meet the Deputy Commissioner and Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and tell them about the present scenario of the AGA. We are demanding elections to the AGA,” he said.

When contacted, Pardeep Saini said, “These players are not members of the AGA. Harvinder Singh and his fellow players are taking care of cricket. A large-scale corruption is going on. We will expose it tomorrow. Harvinder wants maximum players from his private academy. We are keeping a check on such practices so they are complaining against the AGA.”

Accusations

The AGA has given its ground to a film company on rent for Rs 50,000 for three months. A gymnasium has been converted into a card room. The heritage club has been turned into a bar. The area for net practice has been converted into a car parking. There is a proposal to lease a portion of the land to a hotel which has been reserved for the indoor cricket academy. The AGA hasn’t awarded any of the best players for the last four years. The dressing room is in a pathetic condition. The water pump is lying defunct. The ground doesn’t have water cooler. The office-bearers pressurise the selectors to select players recommended by them.