Coach flaunting ‘contacts’ irks local cricket fraternity

A message from a Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA) cricket coach allegedly flaunting his “contacts” in a WhatsApp group has not gone well with the local cricket fraternity.

Before the start of the Gully Cricket tournament— one of the UTCA’s showpiece event— the “decorated” coach expressed his unavailability this month for the tournament due to the schedule “breakfast” with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda. He mentioned that the breakfast would be followed by a first time visit of UTCA president, who happens to be the former Chandigarh BJP President who had also contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, at his home in Himachal.

The coach, who played at the highest level for Himachal and won many accolades, had first joined the local association for a brief period of two years. He later moved to the national capital only to rejoin the UTCA recently.

“Dear Sir, Good evening, First of all I apologised. not available for Gully Tournament this month. Right now I am in Chamba. Mr JP Nadda is coming to my residence for Breakfast tomorrow. Our UTCA honourable President will come to Chamba on (date withheld). So. First time Sir is coming to Chamba, so I have to welcome him. I will be available next month [sic],” read the message in the group formed before the start of the Gully Cricket tournament.

BJP national president and Union Health Minister Nadda was in Chamba, on April 19. Due to inclement weather, he travelled by road and reached Chamba late in the evening. The tournament in Chandigarh was announced open on April 20 evening, followed by a grand opening ceremony attended by the UT Administrator and action kicked off on April 21.

Meanwhile, the message purportedly shot for showing closeness with the top brass faced backlash from the local cricket fraternity, who have silently started opposing the act.

“This is no way to show-off the contacts. One may have these conversations at a personal level, but there’s no need to publicise it with others. Personal and official commitments should be treated separately,” said a representative of the association, seeking anonymity.

“The coach has to understand his position in the association. He is carrying a huge responsibility, and such messages may not go down well with everyone,” added a former player.

Chandigarh