TCA membership issue should become people’s movement, says Vishweshwar Reddy

Chevella MP and TCA Patron Konda Vishweshwar Reddy urged cricket stakeholders and the public to support Telangana Cricket Association's demand for BCCI Associate Membership. A stakeholders' conference in Hyderabad highlighted concerns over opportunities for rural cricketers and transparency in cricket administration

Hyderabad: In support of the Telangana Cricket Association’s (TCA) long-standing quest for recognition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Chevella MP and TCA Patron Konda Vishweshwar Reddy has called upon cricket stakeholders and the people of Telangana to transform the struggle for TCA’s Associate Membership into a broad-based public movement.

Addressing a “Round Table Conference with Stakeholders” organised by the Telangana Cricket Association at Haritha Plaza, Hyderabad, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy asserted that recognition of TCA by the BCCI is both necessary and inevitable if cricket is to genuinely reach the rural and district regions of Telangana.

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The conference brought together former cricketers, women cricketers, district representatives, sports activists, administrators and cricket stakeholders from across the state to deliberate on the future of Telangana cricket and the need for equitable opportunities for aspiring players.

TCA General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy presented a detailed overview of the association’s journey since its inception, highlighting its organisational growth, legal battles, grassroots development initiatives, district-level expansion and the achievements of Telangana cricketers nurtured under the TCA platform over the past decade.

Vishweshwar Reddy expressed concern over what he described as the continued neglect of district and rural cricketing talent. He observed that cricket administration in the state has remained concentrated within Hyderabad city, depriving talented youngsters from other regions of adequate opportunities to showcase their abilities.

He noted that despite claiming a rich legacy, the existing cricket administration has failed to create a robust pathway for rural cricketers to progress to higher levels of the game. He further stated that numerous allegations of corruption, irregularities and administrative failures have severely affected confidence in the present system.

“The future of Telangana cricket cannot remain hostage to a system that has repeatedly failed to identify and promote talent from every corner of the state. If cricket development is the ultimate objective, then BCCI must seriously consider granting Associate Membership to the Telangana Cricket Association, which has consistently worked at the grassroots level and fought tirelessly for the rights of Telangana’s cricketers,” Konda Vishweshwar Reddy said.

“Let us convert the TCA movement into a people’s movement. Along with pursuing legal remedies and securing stronger judicial directions, we must build public awareness and collective pressure to ensure justice for Telangana’s cricketers,” he remarked.

Telangana activist Vithal also addressed the gathering and called upon citizens, sports lovers and cricket stakeholders to unite against corruption and irregularities in cricket administration.

The conference unanimously adopted a resolution seeking accountability and transparency in cricket administration and demanding that appropriate action be taken in light of the various allegations and controversies that have surfaced over the years.

Participants reiterated that Telangana possesses abundant cricketing talent across its districts and that granting Associate Membership to TCA would create a dedicated platform for identifying, nurturing and promoting young cricketers who currently lack adequate opportunities.

Among those present were former TCA State President Endala Lakshminarayana, TCA State Vice President Dr Pesaru Vijay Chander Reddy, Governing Council members Premender Reddy, Kapilavai Ravinder, Dr Pradeep, Thallapalli Jayapal and S Mahender Reddy. Women cricketers Jhansi Lakshmi, Vinoda and Prashanthi, along with several district representatives and cricket stakeholders from across Telangana, also participated in the deliberations.