Jhansi, 10 May (Hindus). Aditya Verma is an important name in the Indian cricket world. Aditya Verma, who was the secretary of Bihar Cricket Association, is known for opening a front against BCCI. It was on his PIL that the Supreme Court constituted the Lodha Committee. This committee is known for making important changes in IPL and BCCI. Aditya Verma had reached Jhansi on a personal visit. Here, in a special conversation with sports expert Brijendra Yadav, he expressed his views on the current situation of Bihar cricket.
Aditya Verma alleged that BCCI gave a grant of more than Rs 25 crore to improve cricket in Bihar but all this money went missing. He also alleged that Bihar Cricket Association has become a den of factionalism at this time. Here are the highlights of the conversation with Aditya Verma…
Question: How do BCCI and Bihar see the current situation of cricket?
Answer: Cricket is in my blood. Due to my efforts, 10 new states got a place in the first category of BCCI. I consider myself the Anna Hazare of cricket, but the dream I had for Bihar cricket has not been fulfilled yet. I myself argued in the Supreme Court. After this, many other states including Bihar got permission to play.
Question: You struggled so much for Bihar cricket… but when you got the chance, your performance was very poor. What is the reason?
Answer: The biggest reason for this is the lack of infrastructure in Bihar cricket. We had gone back a lot in the last 20 years. To improve this infrastructure, BCCI gave a grant of more than Rs 25 crore to Bihar Cricket Association. This money also disappeared without any account. When I launched a campaign against this corruption, my son was booked under serious sections. Bihar Cricket Association has at present become a den of factionalism. Every order of the Supreme Court is being disregarded.
Question: You struggled so much for Bihar cricket… but when you got the chance, your performance was very poor. What is the reason?
Answer: The biggest reason for this is the lack of infrastructure in Bihar cricket. We had gone back a lot in the last 20 years. To improve this infrastructure, BCCI gave a grant of more than Rs 25 crore to Bihar Cricket Association. This money also disappeared without any account. When I launched a campaign against this corruption, my son was booked under serious sections. Bihar Cricket Association has at present become a den of factionalism. Every order of the Supreme Court is being disregarded.
Question: After separation of Bihar and Jharkhand, cricket developed in Jharkhand but why was Bihar left behind?
Answer: The biggest reason for this is that the recognition of Bihar cricket was snatched away. I fought for many states but could not get justice for Bihar. Amitabh Choudhary established cricket in Jharkhand with hard work. After 18 years, when Bihar got a chance to showcase its cricket skills, corruption became prevalent there. Patna High Court is expected to take control of the board and improve its functioning.
Question: How do you see the role of BCCI?
Answer: BCCI also has a role in whatever is going wrong in Bihar cricket. Many people associated with Bihar cricket have informed BCCI about the activities happening here through e-mail, but the silence of BCCI is causing a lot of harm.
Question: A film was going to be made on your life. What happened with him?
Answer: Prakash Jha was the first to approach me for the film. After this, several meetings were held and work on the script of the film started. Hopefully something will be seen by the end of this year.
Question: How do you see the future of Uttar Pradesh cricket?
Answer: I want to appeal to the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to come forward to save cricket in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The population of both the states combined, only 2 Ranji teams play. There should be at least seven teams based on population. 3 state associations from Maharashtra and 3 from Gujarat have recognition from BCCI. So such behavior with the country's largest states Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is not appropriate. We elect 120 MPs and send them to Parliament. For the development of cricket game, there should be 4 associations according to population and 3 in Bihar. This will give a great boost to the cricket of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and more number of cricketers will get a chance to play the Board Trophy. Because there is no dearth of cricket talent here, the cricketers here have gone to other states and proved their talent and played for the country.