Fistfight, abuses dominate DDCA meeting; Gambhir urges Ganguly to dissolve cricket body

Delhi: The officials of the Delhi and District Cricket Association got into an ugly brawl, raining punches and expletives at each other during Sunday's annual general meeting. The high drama was captured on camera and the video has now gone viral on social media. It shows the two factions in the cricket association trading blows on the stage. Sources said the skirmish began after DDCA officials could not agree to the agenda passed in the meeting.

DDCA apex council member Rajan Manchanda was allegedly manhandled by functionaries belonging to another group that claimed to have the majority of the support at the AGM. Former Indian cricketer and current BJP MP from East Delhi, Gautam Gambhir, also tweeted the 'brawl' video and tagged BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah. The opening batsman urged Ganguly to dissolve the cricket body.

He tweeted, "DDCA GOES “ALL OUT”...AND DDCA IS ALL OUT FOR A SHAMEFUL DUCK. Look, how handful of crooks are making mockery of an institution. I’d urge @BCCI @SGanguly99 @JayShah to dissolve @delhi_cricket immediately. Surely, sanctions or even a life ban for those involved."

After the AGM, the DDCA released a statement that read, "The Board of Directors of the DDCA extends its sincere gratitude and thanks all its esteemed members for having attended the AGM of the company....and backing the Board's vision and endeavour to take the company to the greater heights."

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal also slammed what he called the power-hungry officials. He said, "Delhi cricket is in the hands of hooligans. Sincerely pray and hope something can be done to save this game and the future of cricketers." Last month, senior journalist Rajat Sharma had resigned as the president of DDCA, citing a "chaotic" environment in the body. He blamed "various pulls & pressure" within the organisation for his decision to dissociate himself from DDCA.