HCA new president JM Rao driven by passion for sports, education and social change

Hyderabad: Arishnapally Jagan Mohan Rao was declared as the new president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), in the elections held for the apex council at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on October 20.

In a closely contested election, Rao, representing the United Members of the HCA panel, secured 63 votes, which was just one vote more than his closest rival Amarnath from the Arshad Ayub panel.

After winning the coveted post, on his social media, Rao wrote, “Grateful and humbled by your trust in electing me as the new president of HCA in the 2023 elections. Let’s unite, bring positive change, and make HCA better together.” He also thanked the ruling party for their support.

Daljeet Singh from the Good Governance panel secured the post of vice president with 63 votes. R Devaraj from the Cricket First panel got the post of secretary after securing 77 votes and Basava Raju from the Good Governance panel was elected as the joint secretary while CJ Srinivas Rao from the United Members of HCA panel became the treasurer.

An alumnus of Osmania University, Mohan Rao has experience playing key roles in the National Handball Association and the Handball Federation of India as secretary general and president respectively. He was also the founder and chairman of Indwell Group of Companies.

Rao identifies himself as an entrepreneur, sports promoter, educationist and influencer and as a dynamic visionary dedicated to transforming dreams into reality, driven by his passion fo sports, education and social change.

“I am dedicated to shaping young minds and contributing to society through my passion for sports and education,” he wrote on a professional platform.

Rao has also been the chairman of the governing council of the Premier Handball League and president of the Telangana Handball Association. As an educationist, he was the founder and chairman of Akshara International Schools and Asara Foundation.

Among his notable achievements, Rao was recognised as the International Forum Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 for promoting social entrepreneurship and contributing to BRICS countries. He also pioneered a symposium on world-class sports education in India.

‘New president capable of revamping HCA’

Meanwhile, praising the new president cricket coach and secretary-contestant for HCA elections, R Harinarayan Rao said, “Even though I lost the contest for the post of secretary, I am glad that two contestants from our United Members of HCA panel namely Jagan Mohan Rao as president and CJ Srinivas Rao as treasurer have made it to the top posts.”

“We are confident that Jagan Mohan Rao is capable of doing wonders for the HCA. He will prioritise a new stadium at Uppal and will work for the betterment of the cricket association. All the key posts would have been swept by our team United Members but due to cross-voting, we secured two of the posts – that of the president and treasurer. But anyway, we accept the verdict of the members of HCA,” he added.