11-Dec-2008 87
Reports related to the resignation of Orissa`s chief cricket coach Venkatpathy Raju drew more attention in State sports circle today than the Ranji match against Mumbai beginning tomorow at Cuttack and the magnificent hockey tournament, which concluded in Bhubaneswar today.
News originating from Hyderabad, Raju`s native city, said that the former India spin bowler resigned on personal ground. But another report from Kolkata claimed that Raju was upset over too much interference in the selection matter.
Kolkata sources said that that Raju had sent his resignation letter to Orissa Cricket Association president and his fellow National selection committee member Ranji Biswal.
In both the reports, Raju also said that the demands of his responsibility as a key administrative member of the Hyderabad Cricket Association forced him to relinquish his job in Orissa.
But sources within the state contradicted the outside reports. Clarifying OCA stand, the state body`s secretary Asirbad Behera said that Raju had neither informed about his leave (Raju went home after Orissa`s last match against Delhi) nor about his resignation.
``OCA has not received any official communication from Raju about his leave or resignation. The state team is somehow managing itself under the guidance of coach Abakash Khatua. Raju has left OCA in the lurch,`` said Behera.
