JKCA warns players against taking part in unapproved tourneys

Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association has hinted that players affiliated with it will lose the benefits if they participate in any unauthorised tournament.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) on Saturday hinted that players affiliated with it will lose the benefits if they participate in any unauthorised tournament including the corporate cricket premier league.

"JKCA is an affiliated unit of Board of Control for Cricket in India and as such we have to follow their rules. The BCCI does not allow its registered players to participate in any unapproved tournaments and hence the players here as well cannot participate in any such tournament if they want to continue with the BCCI," joint secretary, JKCA, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat said. Bhat was reacting to reports about the participation of the JKCA affiliated players in the first-ever Jammu and Kashmir Corporate Cricket Premier League (JKCPL), which is scheduled to begin next week. Twelve corporate houses of the state have registered their franchises with the JKCPL, which said some of the key Ranji and Under-25 players will participate in the tournament. The JKCPL organisers had also announced the name of all-rounder Parvez Rasool, who made an impressive IPL debut for Pune Warriors recently, as a participating player. Bhat said the decision to participate in the tournament has been left to the individual players, but warned that they will lose their benefits from the BCCI. Any affiliated player of the BCCI or those who are taking benefits from the board, cannot get involved in any unauthorised tournament. If any player wants to take part, the decision is entirely his, but he will have to leave JKCA and BCCI then," he said. The joint secretary added that such players will not be allowed to play in the Ranji trophy or other Board matches. Bhat said the association cannot stop anyone from organising a cricket tournament, but could ask the players to adhere to the BCCI guidelines. "If any player participates in such tournaments, then we cannot help him against any action by the BCCI," he said. Meanwhile, a top Ranji Trophy player from the state, who confirmed his participation in JKCPL, said there is nothing wrong in participating in such tournaments. "I am a cricketer and want to play good and competitive cricket. Players in Kashmir do not get much opportunity to play good cricket and hence JKCPL is a good step," he said on the condition of anonymity. He said JKCA should not be averse in letting its affiliated clubs and players to participate in JKCPL. "Why does JKCA have to stop its players and clubs from participating in JKCPL, when a number of tournaments are gouging on in which players who are registered with JKCA and BCCI are playing," he said. PTI