Goa govt serves notice to GCA

The state government-run Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) today issued show-cause notice to Goa Cricket Association (GCA) asking why it should not be derecognised for failing to implement Justice Pendse Commission recommendations.
The commission, which has probed the infamous ticket scam reported during the 2001 India-Australia match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, had recommended that all the then members of the managing committee should be barred from managing the affairs of GCA.
Chaotic situation had prevailed outside the stadium during the match when bogus tickets were sold to cricket fans.
SAG Executive Director Sandip Jacques, in a notice issued today, pointed out that the incumbent GCA president Vinod Phadke, who was indicted by the commission, continues to head the body and manage its affairs.

Jacques has given seven days' time for the GCA to respond, failing which it will be liable for de-recognition, it said.
The GCA, which was supposed to meet today, to discuss the crucial issue, has postponed the meeting to September 2, as Phadke is out of station.

The state government, which has decided to go against the GCA, has also warned to take up the matter with the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) to initiate appropriate action against the cricket body.
Jacques has pointed out that the Pendse commission recommendations, which had dwelled in-depth on the scam, were accepted by the state cabinet on May 23, 2012.

"The commission has explicitly recommended that the SAG may consider withdrawing recognition of GCA, unless and until the entire managing committee vacates the office and the concerned office-bearers named in the report, including Phadke, do not participate in the management of the association," the notice reads.
The SAG has also stated that the GCA has failed to pay the entire dues for hiring the Nehru stadium at Fatorda for the one day cricket matches held on December 28, 1997 to April 06, 2001.
Phadke was not available for comment, while another GCA official said that the decision on the reply for the notice would be taken up during the upcoming managing committee meeting scheduled on September 2.