Shillong, Aug 7: The Meghalaya Cricket Association has responded forcefully to allegations of favouritism and corruption in the selection process of its senior men’s team by slamming the claims as completely unfounded and “totally defamatory in nature”.
The allegations were made by a cricketer from South West Khasi Hills, Divension Lyngdoh, who addressed the Shillong Press Club three times in the last couple of weeks, following the announcement of a 32-member list of probables that are being considered to play for Meghalaya in this year’s senior men’s domestic cricket season.
On the first occasion, Divension made the sensational claim that cricketers from outside the state buy their way into the state team by bribing officials at Rs 5-6 lakh. He offered no proof for his allegation but also complained that tribals, specifically Khasis, do not get enough opportunity in the state team.
The very next day, however, his own district association shot down his accusations, saying that it was because of performance alone that Divension was not selected for the state team. Soon after, the cricketer again addressed the press to apologise to the MCA and retracted all his accusations but this week he again came to Shillong to hit out at the SWKH District Cricket Association for not supporting him publicly and again called for the MCA to give more Khasi players a chance to represent the state team.
The MCA’s highest body, the Apex Council, met today to deliberate on the “baseless and unsubstantiated allegations” levelled by Divension, the association said in a press release signed by its Honorary Secretary Rayonald Kharkamni.
Kharkamni said that Divension had been recommended by the SWKHDCA for the first phase of the selection trials but did not perform adequately to justify inclusion in the second phase. The MCA also defended its selection process, saying that it is rigorous and transparent.
Referring to Divension’s claims, Kharkamni said, “Such unethical allegations amount to gross indiscipline and an attempt to cover up his own deficiencies as a player which requires improvement with regular practice and dedication. The Apex Council noted that although the player apologised subsequently, the allegations, regarding discrimination against his short listing to phase-Il of selection, were totally defamatory in nature. The council resolved that such apology is not fully acceptable and tenable after damaging the reputation and good will of the association, officials, independent selectors and all associated with MCA, not only in the eyes and perception of the cricket loving people of our state and country in general,”
He added, “Such unfounded allegations also creates an unwarranted confusion and doubt about integrity and transparency of the selection process, undertaken exclusively by a selection committee under strict guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures, recording each individual performance during selection in related Apps which is available for all to study during trials. There is total transparency in the selection process and the selectors are bound by recorded performance like MVP (Most Valuable Player) records.”
The allegations made by the player are a case of “frustration” at not being able to perform. Although the MCA did not mention any punishment for Divension, the Apex Council has made it clear that it will view any subsequent claims that are unsubstantiated seriously and as an act of “gross indiscipline”.
