Orisports Team 11-Apr-2010 211
Young Orissa left-arm spinner Dhiraj Singh was presented with the Maruti Estate Saheed Sporting Cricketer of the Year Award (2009-10) in Bhubaneswar today. Orissa Cricket Association secretary Asirbad Behera handed over the award, which carried a special trophy and a cash prize of Rs 11,000.
The OCA secretary was all praise for Maruti Estate India Limited and Saheed Sporting Club for encouraging cricketers of the state. He announced to provide an assistance of Rs 25,000 to help continue the annual award. Maruti Estate Managing Director Jitendra Prasad Singh, Saheed Sporting Club secretary Pankaj Patnaik and a large number of past and present first class cricketers of the state were present on the occasion.
However, it is unfortunate that despite producing a number of Test and first class cricketer, Saheed Sporting Club has not been given affiliation yet by OCA. When the OCA secretary was asked about the reason, he said the constitution of the apex state body of the game allowed affiliation to clubs existing within Cuttack municipality only. If that is the case, should not the constitution be amended to give justice to clubs operating in other parts of the state?
