Cry goes up for Gautam Roy's ouster

Players welcome ban, demand clean image for ACA

By Our Sports Reporter

Guwahati, Jan 10: Former cricketers and sports organizers have in one voice welcomed the decision of the Assam Cricket Association's governing body to hand a life ban on its controversial secretary Bikash Baruah.

Former ACA secretary Sahajanda Ojha said the governing body took a "good step" but that is "not enough".

"The entire committee, including its president Gautam Roy and treasurer Ghashyam Baruah should resign immediately and an impartial inquiry conducted into the allegations of irregularities which have tarnished the image of the association," he said.

Former Ranji cricketer Zaved Zaman said players have been denied their dues which had forced them to cut short their career.

"It is a great decision. There were several allegations against Baruah but what hurt me most was the holding of cheques meant for players," Zaman said.

Secretary of the Veteran Cricketers of Assam sir Gul Khan also welcomed the decision. "The Assam Cricket Association was in ICU. Now, it appears that normalcy is returning back to the cricket body," he felt.

Former Ranji cricketer Sajjad Zahir Hussain said the players want Assam Cricket Association to have a clean image.

"I feel imposing a life ban on Bikash Baruah is a first step. Some cases regarding irregularities in the ACA are now in the court. We are awaiting the fil verdict. We will continue our agitation against corrupt ACA officials," Hussain added.