ATSUM stated that it was deeply concerned by the discriminatory and arbitrary process being pursued by selectors of Manipur Cricket Association. The purpose of the state cricket association which is supposed to promote the sports in the state will come to naught if it is marred in corruption and nepotism, said the student organisation.
TFM Desk
Close on the heels of Democratic Students’ Alliance Manipur (DESAM) taking All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) to tasks, All Tribal Students’ Union (ATSUM) has accused the Manipur Cricket Association (MNCA) of nepotism, discrimination and prejudice in selection of players under-25.
“A grave injustice marked by discrimination and prejudice has been done in the selection of players for Under-25 state cricket team. Mr. Alfred Hmangaisang Hmar of REYS Nagamapal, the only tribal cricket player in the state cricket scene, whom the tribal people of the state could take pride of has surreptitiously been excluded from the state cricket team. The All Tribal= Students’ Union Manipur takes strong exception to exclusion of this upcoming cricketer from the state team as he strongly deserves to represent the state”, said a press note issued by ATSUM assistant legal secretary, Th Vipuni Ruhmai.
Alfred Hmangaisang Hmar is overall ranked 3rd (bowler) in the recently concluded Elite (1st Di-vision) Domestic Cricket league organised by MNCA (Manipur Cricket Association) and 1st (bowler) amongst the Under-25 bowlers as per CRIC HEROES. In spite of his outstanding performance, he has been found excluded from the selection list of the Under-25 state team for the second time whereas a bowler ranked as low as 39th in the domestic tournament has been found selected, pointed out ATSUM.
Earlier, a letter of complaint was submitted by Hmar’s club seeking explanation why he was dropped from the state team for Under-25 One day BCCI tournament. It is learnt that an understanding between the two sides (MNCA and Club concerned) was arrived at with the former assuring the club that the matter will be looked after so as to prevent any unwanted situation in future. However, the same thing happened again for the second time when such a young and promising cricketer is being dropped from the state team for the upcoming BCCI Tournament, said the tribal student body.
ATSUM stated that it was deeply concerned by the discriminatory and arbitrary process being pursued by selectors of MNCA. “The purpose of the state cricket association which is supposed to promote the sports in the state will come to naught if it is marred in corruption and nepotism. There is a strong feeling that Alfred Hmangaisang Hmar was dropped in the selection process as he represents a tribal community, otherwise there is no reason why such a superb bowler who ranked Ist amongst the state bowlers could be dropped and substituted by a player who ranked 39th”.
ATSUM has written to the MNCA to look into such arbitrary process of selection and requested the association to enable the well deserving Alfred Hmangaisang Hmar to join the state team in the BCCI Tournament. “MNCA should get its act together otherwise it will lose the confidence of the people of the state. The Union may be constraint to take up stronger measure so that justice prevails”, said ATSUM.