In recent media interactions, Rohan Jaitley, re-elected President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) spoke about the issues regarding various selections within the association.
The first mention of 84 probables for the Ranji Trophy together with a 24-man squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy created some questions regarding standards of the selection process itself and thus opened the DDCA to fire about its methods.
The role of administrators pertaining to selection has always been a topic of great debate with Delhi cricket. There have been persistent gossip and insinuations regarding interference in player selection, which did not stop with this season.
The large number of probables announced for the Ranji Trophy, together with a big squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, had them scratching their heads with questions about the DDCA's method of selection.
Responding to these issues, Jaitley, who defeated former cricketer Kirti Azad to secure his re-election, said there is only a limited role of administrators in the selection process.
"The role of administrators in selection is very limited," Jaitley explained, adding that the Cricket Advisory Committee has been entrusted with the task of selection ever since the Lodha reforms were instituted.
According to him, this committee is assigned the duty of ensuring fairness and transparency. He further stated that the team was being judged for its last performance achievements in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and that with any consideration regarding the squad selection, it would surely be dealt with.
He understood that questions have already been raised with regard to the size of the squad, especially after the major selections, assuring that proper checks and balances would be made to prevent any such problems from happening in the future.
Selecting the right deal inside the DDCA under Jaitley's determination fully illustrates how aware he is of the issues still requiring resolution.
Beyond this selection work, Jaitley aspired to visualize the future of cricket in Delhi. His first plans for the new term include the establishment of an ultra-modern clubhouse at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
According to Jaitley, this will not only be a facility for DDCA members but also have indoor cricket amenities and other recreational spaces. Thus, the new clubhouse will provide an inclusive atmosphere for the members and usher in modernisation in stadium infrastructure.
Jaitley mentioned the need for extending facilities for the differently abled, those supposed to make up for the late entrance into the stadium. "We received a few complaints regarding the access in the stadium for the differently-abled.
We are making every place in the stadium inclusive for our disabled persons," he stated. Those changes are now in action with a pursuit to revamp the stadium to be available for all.
Jaitley, in the pipeline, said that DDCA is looking to acquire land to set up a new international stadium in Delhi. "We are already in talks to get a new piece of land. If it comes through, we can hopefully get an international stadium in this city," he said.
He also said the new stadium would bring foremost infrastructures and facilities, thus uplifting the profile of Delhi cricket.
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