Bihar cricket secretary writes to CMs to raise BCCI affiliation issue

Secretary of the unrecognised Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) Aditya Verma on Friday wrote to the chief ministers and heads of 15 states and union territories who are yet to get the BCCI's affiliation, to raise the matter with the Indian cricket board.

Verma, who has been fighting for recognition of the CAB, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to allow only 18 states to field their teams in first-class cricket was violation of fundamental rights of the cricketers belonging to the states and union territories yet to get the board's affiliation.

"The BCCI says its motto is to promote cricket in the entire country, but the fact is, it never gave any opportunity to the 15 states and union territories to represent their cricketers at the national level," Verma said in the letter to the states including the north eastern states and the newly-formed Telangana.

Urging the states and the UTs take the matter seriously, Verma called upon them to raise it with the BCCI.

Meanwhile, Verma said he will again meet Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal seeking his intervention in the matter.

"The meeting with the minister (July 26) was very fruitful, and I would be again meeting him on Monday. He has assured me about taking up the issue," said Verma.