Khanvilkar, Ajinkya Naik point to procedural problem in Amol's appointment

Amol Muzumdar

The appointment of Amol Muzumdar as Mumbai's senior team coach has not gone down well with some Apex Council members of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). Former secretary Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar has also expressed his displeasure while Apex Council member Ajinkya Naik has filed his dissent.

"I would like to highlight my utter displeasure and resentment by the secretaries regarding the attitude towards the Apex members. In certain decisions, categorically we as Apex members were involved and opinions were sought when necessary.

‘No basic communication'

"But now when we had a process done for the head coach and selection of the same, there is no basic communication or information email regarding the same. Do we even exist for you?" fumed Khanvilkar in email to secretary Sanjay Naik and joint secretary Shahalam Shaikh.

Ajinkya Naik said in an email: "I have come across certain decisions being taken by the secretary of the Association without following the constitution/charter of the association. That one such instance which I would like to bring to your notice, is the appointment of the coach, which has been done in an arbitrary manner without following the procedural rules. It is learnt through media reports that Mr Amol Muzumdar has been appointed as coach in an arbitrary manner, without taking the approval of the Apex Council in [a] meeting or through email. It is a matter of grave concern that the organisation is being run in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the association."

Secy defends appointment

Sanjay Naik defended Muzumdar's appointment. "The Mumbai coach is appointed by MCA's Cricket Improvement Committee as per the provision of the constitution and not the office-bearers. In the past too, the CIC did not consult the office-bearers or Apex Council on these appointments," he told mid-day.

This issue will come up for discussion in the June 11 Apex Council meeting.

Meanwhile, former MCA president Ravi Savant, who has been BCCI's vice-president and interim treasurer, has approached the Bombay High Court, filing a petition
on Friday on the alleged arbitrary dissolving the previous CIC headed by Lalchand Rajput.

Savant's plea was to restrain the MCA from issuing any contract to coach Muzumdar and stall CIC from appointing coaches and selectors pending the hearing.