HCA urged to introduce insurance policy for players and officials

Adnan Bafana, former Junior State player and BCCI Level I coach, has urged the Hyderabad Cricket Association to introduce an insurance policy for players and match officials, citing rising injuries and the example of Karnataka’s Suraksha Scheme

Hyderabad: Is there a need for an insurance policy for cricketers and match officials?

Yes, it seems so, if the concerns of the cricketing fraternity affiliated to the Hyderabad Cricket Association are taken with seriousness.

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Former Junior State player and BCCI Level I coach Adnan Bafana, in a representation to the Secretary of the HCA and the Chief Executive Officer, stressed the need for an insurance policy in this regard.

“With the increasing intensity of league competitions, training sessions and year-round cricketing engagements, the risk of injuries has also increased considerably. Every cricket season witnesses instances where players suffer serious injuries such as fractures, ligament tears, muscle ruptures and other forms of physical trauma while participating in matches or training,” Bafana pointed out in the letter.

“In many cases, the treatment required for such injuries involves expensive diagnostic procedures, prolonged hospitalisation, surgical intervention and rehabilitation. Even senior players with established careers sometimes face serious setbacks due to injuries. However, the impact of such injuries is far more severe at the grassroots level, particularly among players participating in A, B and C Division leagues conducted under the Hyderabad Cricket Association,” he explained.

“In addition to players, umpires and scorers are also an indispensable part of the cricketing structure maintained by the Hyderabad Cricket Association. These match officials play a crucial role in ensuring that league matches are conducted fairly, efficiently and in accordance with the laws of the game. At present, there appears to be no structured mechanism that provides financial protection or medical coverage to such match officials in the event of accidents or injuries arising from their association with cricketing activities,” Bafana said.

The official cited the insurance policy of the Karnataka State Cricket Association ‘Suraksha Scheme’ with the objective of providing financial and medical protection to cricketers registered under the association.

“The Suraksha Scheme was conceived as a group insurance programme aimed particularly at supporting young and emerging cricketers who are not otherwise covered under insurance policies provided by the BCCI in India. Each registered cricketer of the KSCA is provided with personal accident insurance coverage up to an amount of Rs 1,00,000,” he said.

“In this context, it would be great if the HCA has a similar insurance policy,” he concluded.