30-Aug-2009 105
Speaking rightly against the misdeeds Orissa Cricket Association at a wrong forum has cost senior player Sanjay Satpathy dear.
Resorting to nepotism and favouritism while selecting players for different state teams is nothing new for OCA. It is evident from the fact that despite making elaborate arrangements and spending huge amount of money in the selection process, the performance of state teams, particularly the Ranji team has been deteriorating every year.
Satpathy pointed out the worng-doing after being a victim for two years. But his genuine expression backfired as he chose a wrong method to do so. In a spur of the moment he expressed his feelings against OCA to a struggling private channel, which used the material to build a sensational story and boost its dwindling visibility.
As a result, OCA today banned Satpathy from all official cricketing activities for a year on charges of ‘giving false and baseles statement’ to the media against the OCA administration and the senior selection committee.
The decision to take action was taken at a meeting of the Tournament and Disciplinary Committee at Cuttack earlier in the day. The ban will be effective from September 1. Satpathy was also served a show cause notice as to why stringent disciplinary action to the extent of permanent ban would not be taken against him. If no reply is received by September 15, the permanent ban would be implemented automatically, a OCA release said.
Satpathy, who has taken 208 wickets from 63 matches during his 11-year-long first class career, stirred the hornet’s nest last week by criticising the OCA administration. Speaking to a private television channel, the tweaker alleged that people without basic knowledge of the game were controlling power in the state body.
He also questioned the fairness and competancy of the selection commitee. ‘‘The standard Cricket in Orissa is deteriorating due to politics in OCA administration,’’ alleged Satpathy, an emloyee of BSNL.
The crafty spinner, who was kept outside the state Ranji team for the past two seasons, spat venom as the senior selection committee did not include him among 59 probables for the coming season.
Capitalising on Satpathy`s mis-adventure, OCA also announced the following code of conduct to be effected immediately for the players.
CODE OF CONDUCT (Main):
Players to turn out for practice and matches apparel, including caps and helmets provided by OCA, bearing official logo.
Mobile phones should be switched off in the dressing room during matches and training.
The team is to be represented only by the captain and coach for press briefings. However, players may be allowed to speak to the press after taking permission from coach only under special circumstances.
Consumption of alcohol, drugs, pan, gutka and cigarette is not allowed during matches and training days.
No players are allowed to make any comments on the team of the Association.
